Author: Helen Newton

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 Finals Data HK Draw

Posted on by Helen Newton

 

 

DOHA: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ Finals Draw will take place at the magnificent Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital on Friday, April 23, 2010.

 

The draw will start at 1900 hours local time at the world’s largest indoor sports facility, and by the end of the process 16 teams will have been slotted into four groups of four each (4×4) under the Dome’s distinctive sloping roof.

 

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 Finals Draw

 

The 16 teams in the hat for the draw are: Qatar (hosts), Australia, Bahrain, China, DPR Korea, India, Iran, Iraq (defending Data HK champions), Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and Uzbekistan.

 

The Asian Cup tournament runs from January 7-29, 2011.

 

Aspire Dome is part of the Aspire Zone that hosts the Khalifa Stadium, Aspire Academy, Hamad Aquatic Centre and Aspire Park.

 

Luxury Villa To Rent Constantia

 

Luxury Cape Town villa available for World Cup accommodation.

 

Only 20 minutes drive on the highway to Green Point Stadium and 30 minutes from Cape Town airport. This opulent villa sleeps 8 people in 4 double bedrooms with three bathrooms.

 

Luxury Villa To Rent Constantia

 

Located in Constantia wine growing area close to all amenities, shops, restaurants and walking distance to the best pub in Cape Town!

 

Fully equipped with satellite TV, four linked TVs, broadband/wifi and all domestic appliances for the perfect World Cup base.

 

Resident maid service and breakfast included. The property would suit either a commercial or a private group looking for a Cape Town base for the entire World Cup month. Cost R 8,000 per day

 

Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee was relieved after the final whistle. “Seongnam is a very good and balanced team,” said Choi. “It was a really tough game for us and we are just happy that we managed to get a goal at the end.”

 

It is a measure of how well Seongnam is doing that coach Shin was disappointed with a 1-1 tie at the home of the champions.

 

“We missed lots of chances and that is why we didn’t win the game,” he said. “it is always hard to concede such a late goal but overall we played well. We are going well and feeling confident but we know that the season is just beginning.”

 

 

  1. League Results March 20-21 2010

 

Montedio Yamagata 1 Urawa Reds 1

Nagoya Grampus 2 Jubilo Iwata 0

 

Saturday 20 March

 

FC Tokyo 0 Cerezo Osaka 0

Gamba Osaka 0 Albirex Niigata 0

Kyoto Sanga 2 Vegalta Sendai 1

Omiya Ardija 0 Kashima Antlers 1

Shonan Bellmare 1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3

Shimizu S-Pulse 1 Vissel Kobe 0

Yokohama F Marinos 4 Kawasaki Frontale 0

 

J.League Table

 

Shimizu S-Pulse P 3 Pts 7

Sanfrecce Hiroshima P 3 Pts 7

Kashima Antlers P 3 Pts 7

Yokohama F Marinos P 3 Pts 6

 

 …

Park Ji-Sung Ready For Qq Online Jordan

Posted on by Helen Newton

 

 

Park Ji-sung arrives back home

The build-up for South Korea’s summer series of qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup started the minute Park Ji-sung arrived at Incheon International Airport last Saturday, dressed in the words of some reports, “like a model” in a white jacket and pink shirt.

 

All attention had been centred on Park’s Qq Online non-appearance in the UEFA Champions League final on May 21 when Manchester United defeated Chelsea. That is all in the past now as Park told reporters at the arrival gate: “Qualification for the World Cup is now my biggest goal.”

 

South Korea continues its journey along the road to the 2010 World Cup on Saturday with a home match against Jordan at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Saturday. The Taeguk Warriors sit in top spot in Group Three with four points from the first two games. The top two from the four nations progress to the final round of qualification.

 

It is a busy time as in the three weeks following the Seoul match, coach Huh Jung-moo will take his team to Jordan for a return match and then on to Turkmenistan before returning to Seoul to face North Korea on June 22.

 

With failing to progress to the next round unthinkable, Huh has decided to trust in some familiar faces. The selection of Korea’s English Premier League players was no surprise but the recall of Ahn Jung-hwan for the first time in almost two years was a big story. Ahn was a hero of the 2002, and to a lesser extent, the 2006 World Cup. Since that time he has been back in the K-league but only scored his first goal in the competition last week for Busan I’Park.

 

And that didn’t really count. Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma had taken the lead at Busan by breaking one of soccer’s unwritten rules which states that if a player kicks the ball out of play because of an injured team-mate, the resultant throw-in is thrown back to that team. Seongnam didn’t seem to think this was necessary, won possession from the throw-in and scored the opening goal.

 

Seongnam coach Kim Hak-beom was none too impressed with his players and told them that they had to allow Busan to score. It came to pass that the Seongnam players stood around as Ahn dribbled up the pitch to put the ball into the net.

 

The 32 year-old may not have scored many but he has been playing well for Busan, the team at the bottom of the league. “Although being overshadowed by his team’s poor record, Ahn’s play on the pitch proves that his stamina and skills are at a high level,” Huh told reporters. “Ahn is in good form, and I think his veteran presence and wealth of experience in big tournaments will provide valuable leadership to the team.”

 

We could even see a frontline made up of 2002 stars including Park and Seol Ki-hyeon. Huh’s selections are conservative but given that failure to finish in the top two would cost him his job and reputation, it is perhaps not surprising that some of the K-League’s young prospects have not been considered. Suwon pair Seo Dong-hyun and Shin Young-rok are in better form than any of the strikers that Huh chose as are the Daegu duo of Jang Nam-seok and Lee Keun-ho.

 

Jordan, who lost 2-0 in a warm-up game in China last weekend, should not be underestimated but should not pose too tough a threat in Seoul. The team has belied its reputation as strong at home but weak away so far in the qualification campaign. An opening day defeat in Amman at the hands of the North Koreans was followed by a win at the home of Turkmenistan.

 

Avoiding defeat in Seoul would be a huge result for the team led by well-traveled Portuguese coach Nelo Vingada.

 

It would also make huge trouble for Huh Jung-moo but the old boys should be able to ensure that South Korea take another step closer to South Africa.

 

 

 …

Agent: Lee Chun-Soo Will Be Feyenoord Success on Bandar Togel Singapore

Posted on by Helen Newton

 

 

Dennis Murray is head of GSEN Europe, an agency that specialises in helping South Korean players move to Europe. Murray is the man who negotiated Lee Chun-soo’s recent transfer to Feyenoord and he found time for a quick chat regarding the transfer.

 

Tell us about GSEN.

 

GSEN Korea is managed by Kim Dong-guk and looks after players like Lee Young-pyo, Seol Ki-hyeon and a few other players.

 

In the Netherlands, Lee Young- pyo’s manager and I discussed about me doing business for GSEN. I started the European headquarters in order to help put Korean players in European clubs.

 

GSEN only deals with Korean players?

 

GSEN Europe only deals with Korean players, GSEN Korea is looking at foreign players.

 

Why do you think European clubs are interested in Korean players?

 

It is not specifically Korean players that they are interested in but good players. It’s not a matter of attracting a Korean player but attracting a good player that happens to be Korean.

 

How does the process work?

 

Basically we know about every European club – what positions they need etc. Prior to the beginning of the transfer window, you can see a lot of agents, including us, start faxing CVs and sending DVD’s to clubs, trying to pitch their player for that specific position. The scouts and the technical staff will then take a look at the most promising players.

 

Once they are interested, then they will enquire to the club or watch a few live games of the player to get a sense of what he is like in a real situation and not just on screen. When they like it, they will put him on a shortlist and for every position that they need, the club will have a few players in mind. They will start with player one and if player one is not an option then they will move down the list until they reach somebody they can get.

 

SO GSEN has a pool of Bandar Togel Singapore players in Korea that it can recommend to European teams?

 

Exactly. We have players with our agency but sometimes a club will say to us that ‘we have a player that wants to move, we want you to represent us a club as the player moves.

 

That’s what happened with Lee Chun-soo?

 

Yes. Ulsan (Lee’s K-League club) gave us the mandate. I was asked by GSEN Korea to look in the Netherlands. I had three options. Feyenoord was the first option and a direct hit.

 

What about the other two clubs?

 

I looked at a suitable club for him and only three qualified. Feyenoord, AZ and Ajax. Feyenoord was the best option since he gets to play in a good team with good players (like Giovanni van Bronkhorst, Roy Makaay) and work with a great coach (Bert van Marwijk.)

 

He should fit in just fine. Also his success later on in the EPL will be guaranteed since the Dutch League is the perfect stepping stone for Korean players when adjusting.

 

 

Why didn’t Lee move directly to England?

 

At the time when I received his CV the question was can you search for a good European club? I knew there were genuine offers from EPL clubs but I strongly suggested that he should consider moving to a Dutch club first.

 

The reason and only reason is to do away with the reports of him moving to the EPL on the back of Korean sponsorship deals. He is a very gifted and skilled player who doesn’t need piggy back rides like that. That’s why a move to the Dutch League instead of the EPL would come as a surprise and will show his credibility as a player. That shows his character.

 

There was interest from England?

 

It was not that he refused to go to a EPL club. The idea was if a club is first and most concrete about the permanent transfer offer that he would choose to go to that club. At first his focus was only EPL clubs.

 

Fulham, Chelsea, Wigan, Portsmouth and West Ham United. Fulham made a concrete loan offer but only a permanent transfer was sought after by both Ulsan and Lee.

 

I knew I could arrange the permanent transfer for him at the mentioned Dutch clubs so I suggested to take them in account as well. Especially since it will not be tainted with sponsorship linking.

 

Don’t get me wrong though, the EPL is still his main and firm goal. So after three good years at Feyenoord you might see that move happen. If Feyenoord wants to sell him earlier, then it will happen sooner of course.

 

How easy were the negotations with Feyenoord?

 

It was not easy. Once I got involved, the negotations took only 15 minutes but it was not easy. Once agents know that a club is interested in a certain player they will try to bypass you and say that they are the player’s representatives.

 

That has been Lee’s problem in the past hasn’t it? He’s been close to a move but his many agents make it complex.

 

Exactly. At the time, I was waiting for Feyenoord to come back to me because we had pitched Lee at the end of May, early June. We had some phone conversations and then we had to wait for Feyenoord because the club had other options.

 

All of a sudden, we learned that Feyenoord was dealing already.

 

Dealing with Ulsan?

 

That’s the question! It was an agent who claimed to be representing the club which was not possible because we had the mandate from the club. Feyenoord thought that it was over because Ulsan didn’t want to talk any more.

 

I got the call that Feyenoord was dealing but the deal (a loan deal) fell through. I called the club’s technical director and asked him what was going on. He replied that ‘we have a problem, we really want this player.’ I said OK, I gave him all the terms that I had agreed with Ulsan and the player through GSEN Korea.

 

It took only 15 minutes for Feyenoord to say yes and then we told Ulsan and Ulsan were also very quick to say yes. From then, it was up to Lee’s manager to go with the personal terms that I had negoitiated for the player and they also agreed,

 

This was like hours before the deadline and Lee still needed a medical. We arranged a medical in Seoul (because flying to Amsterdam was not possible at that time), Feyenoord really wanted him so they said OK and they appointed a doctor. It was done. It was not a textbook deal!

 

Sounds quick but difficult!

 

Yes. The difficulty always comes when other agents come forward and say they are representing the player.

 

Is it common to have multiple agents?

 

It is not just limited to Korea. It happens all over the world –in South America, in England even. You probably hear stories of players signing two or three contracts because they are represented by different agents.

 

Why do players do this?

 

The younger players are easily influenced by dubious agents. They say ‘I can get you this and this at a great club, just sign here.’ And they sign. The next day another agent comes and he has an even better offer and they sign.

 

 

Will Lee Chun-soo be a success?

 

I know he can be. He needs to look at the communication. He needs to be able to communicate with his coach and his team. I understand that will not be a problem. He will be helped in the Netherlands with anything he needs.

 

He will be the biggest Korean success in the Netherlands and after that I can help him move to the EPL.

 

I am happy that he is here and can play here. He is a very good player.

 

How about Park Chu-young?

 

For Park Chu-young there was and still is interest in Europe. Problem was that he was not a very physical player. But seeing him now after recovery from his injury I don’t think that will be regarded as any issue anymore. He is more bulky looking at the moment so physical play should not be a problem.

 

 …

Serie Togel A Calcio 2011-2012 Season Preview

Posted on by Helen Newton

 

 

With the threat of industrial action on the part of the playing Togel staff in Italy now averted, Serie A returns with AC Milan v Lazio at Molino Dorino. What’s the betting Milan can repeat?

 

Let’s look at the teams one by one.

 

Atalanta look like they will come out in a 4-4-2 with a strengthened defence. Andrea Masiello has exchanged the sunny climes of Bari for the chilly foothills of the Alps.

 

Bologna are likely to utilize the Christmas tree with Di Vaio the angel at its peak. But will the formation lead to the lack of width that Milan discovered that they had two seasons ago? While Milan brought in Beckham to solve the problem, in my view it’s rather unlikely he will be rushing over from LA to help the Bolognesi.

 

Cagliari, under Donadoni’s watchful eye, may use Nene and newly-acquired El Kabir as two wide front men with Cossu breaking through the centre. With the dangerous David Suazo brought in from Inter they should be able to avoid relegation.

 

Catania have Montella as coach now, but have strangely unloaded Schelotto to Atalanta. The formation seems unclear – a lop-sided 4-4-2, perhaps. They might be heading even farther south – to the reaches of Serie B.

 

Cesena will place new boy Mutu in front of goal hoping € 5m Eder can help him in the scoring department.

 

Chievo have bought Perparim Hetemaj from Brescia hoping the Finn can finish like he did with his controlled volley against Roma. Does Jokic have what it takes on the left of midfield to help Pellissier?

 

Fiorentina’s 12-goal hero Gilardino will be fed by Kharja, 26 year-old Andrea Lazzari (from Cagliari) and Montolivo, who stays in Florence (it’s amazing that, despite years of his being often the best player on the park, it’s only recently that bigger clubs have been taking serious interest in him).

 

Genoa have made an effort to improve their “goals against” column by bringing in the experienced Sebastian Frey, 31, from Fiorentina. The addition of Birsa (Auxerre), Pratto and Seymour (U. Catolica) provides evidence that Genoa plan to do more than merely survive this time.

 

Internazionale di Milano have managed to retain Wesley Schneijder (to Manchester United’s detriment). So allenatore Gasperini has kept his defence and midfield intact. Up front, the decision to unload Samuel Eto’o seems odd indeed: the mobility of the attack may well be impaired. How long will it take Ricky Alvarez to adapt to the tiny spaces afforded by Italian defences, compared with the wide grasslands found in Argentina? But then they’ve now got Diego Forlan .. South American Champion as well as the best player in the 2010 World Cup.

 

Juventus, the creaky Old Lady, is going to be the most interesting team to watch this season, I predict. The fans (perhaps forgetting that he can land a ball on a one euro coin from fifty metres)

are already moaning about the acquisition of the elderly Pirlo from Milan. But the dangerous Vucinic will probably play in the middle of a front four (yes, you read that right: I understand it’s a return to the 1960s with a 4-2-4!!). So expect goals, goals, goals … at both ends of the field.

 

Lazio now have great experience in attack with Miroslav Klose (from Bayern Munchen) and Cisse (Panathinaikos) brought in as front men in a probable 4-3-1-2 with Hernanes and Ledesma behind as the spine of the team.

 

Lecce have brought in on loan Roma’s goalkeeper Julio Sergio. Nearly all of their summer transfers are loan deals or frees, and the fact that they have spent only € 1.6m must reflect the state of their finances. One fears for their safety this season.

 

Milan (and/or the Italian press) have been keeping everyone on tenterhooks this summer by talking about a mysterious possible signing called “Mister X” (commonly presumed to be either Montolivo or Hamsik). In the end, former Liverpool player Acquilani has been brought in to cover for the loss of Pirlo to Juve. How long can Milan continue with the ageing Gattuso and Ambrosini in midfield? Perhaps it doesn’t matter when you have such a stellar forward line.

 

Napoli, drawn in the same fascinating Champions League “group of death” (Group A) as Manchester City, with Villareal and Bayern, will provide serious opposition to any opponent this season. Confidence is high. Gokhan Inler and power-shooter Marco Donadel have been brought into midfield, and the team will continue with Cavani, Lavezzi, and Hamsik up front.

 

Novara might be favourites for the drop, but they have an all-new front three “attacco M”: Morimoto, Mazzarani, and Meggiorini.

 

Palermo now have Eran Zahavi from Hapoel, who will possibly appear on the right of midfield in front of Cassani to support forwards Hernandez and the excellent Fabrizio Miccoli (what is it about the Italian national team selectors that they don’t pick Miccoli automatically?)

 

Parma will hope Graziano Pelle (bought from AZ Alkmaar for a million) will help Crespo and Giovinco score more goals than the team lets in at the other end.

 

Roma have spent big this summer, and new coach Luis Enrique has managed to lure the sought after Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg to the Italian capital. Bojan Krkic (Barca) and Lamela (River) could be the wide men at the front of a 4-3-3. As yet we don’t know whether this will be a true 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1 (or even a 4-6). Where will Argentinian Pablo Osvaldo (Espanol) fit in? Roma will be interesting to watch.

 

Siena are expected to employ a traditional 4-4-2 with Zeljko Brkic in goal, D’Agostino in midfield, and Destro brought in from Genoa. Siena have been (on occasion) exciting to watch when at home. Can they survive this time?

 

Udinese’s strengths and weaknesses were plain for all to see in their recent matches against Arsenal. Prior to the match in London the team looked relaxed as they were spotted strolling the gardens of Regents Park and were unlucky to lose to Walcott’s solitary goal. In Udine, though, their over-reliance on the brilliant Di Natale was evidenced, despite Pinzi’s great range of passing. Coach Francesco Guidolin is going to have to quickly stifle the psychological blow of losing Sanchez to Barcelona if Udinese are to emulate last term’s excellent showing.

 

 

 

George’s Premiership Predictions September 17

 

George got five correct results and no perfect scores.

 

Place a pre-match bet on the Man Utd v Chelsea game with bet365 and they will give you a free In-Play bet to the same stake on the big match.

 

To qualify for your free In-Play bet, simply place a bet before kick-off at bet365, then once the game starts place another bet on any In-Play market. If your FIRST In-Play bet loses bet365 will refund this stake, up to the same value as your largest pre-match bet

 

Saturday 17th September 2011

 

Blackburn 1 v Arsenal 1

Aston Villa 2 v Newcastle 1

Bolton 1 v Norwich City 1

Everton 2 v Wigan Athletic 1

Swansea City 0 v WBA 0

Wolves 3 v QPR 2

 

Sunday 18th September 2011

 

Tottenham 0 v Liverpool 2

Fulham 1 v Manchester City 3

Sunderland 1 v Stoke City 1

Man Utd 2 v Chelsea 1

 

 …

Brazil World Cup 2010 Bandarq Online Team Profile

Posted on by Helen Newton

 

 

The tournament’s ever presents reached South Africa with three games to spare as they secured a sweet victory on Argentine soil in Rosario to make sure of their place in South Africa. Dunga successfully implemented a no-nonsense approach to international football and axed many of Brazil’s star names in favour of building a more cohesive unit.

 

With only two defeats along the way Brazil’s route to the Bandarq Online 2010 World Cup finals was always a procession. Although Dunga has been roundly criticised for taking much of the natural flair out of the Selecao the team still finished up top scorers in the CONMEBOL qualification series.

 

There were many memorable moments along the way in Brazil’s qualification for South Africa including their lifting of an old hoodoo with a thumping 4-0 win away to Uruguay and Luis Fabiano’s nine goals signalling his arrival as the real deal in front of goal. Brazil were also able to take some time away from qualifying to win the Confederations Cup and have a good look at the conditions they can expect when they return to South Africa for the World Cup.

 

Analysis

 

Things seemed to be going so well for Brazil when North Korea popped out as their first Group G opponents. Events took a turn for the worse however when the Ivory Coast and Portugal completed the line-up. Brazil have had some easy groups in the past but they will have to start early in South Africa if they don’t want to suffer an embarrassingly early exit.

 

Thankfully for fans of Brazil after nearly four years in the job Dunga has a well oiled machine at his disposal which trusts him enough to follow his instructions down to the letter. The World Cup winning captain of USA 94 knows what he wants from his team and has a way of getting his point across which has translated into the right results on the pitch.

 

Júlio César of Inter Milan is widely recognised as the best goalkeeper in the world right now and a string of near faultless displays have made him a shoe-in to wear the gloves for Brazil in South Africa.

 

The Brazilian defence houses one of the side’s most potent attacking forces. Júlio César’s team-mate at the San Siro Maicon is as close to you get to the complete footballer. His surging runs from right-back can frighten the life out of the opposition as he seems to be able to gallivant at will through anything thrown in his path. Alongside Maicon are the duel colossuses of Lucio and Luisão, as well as being assured in defence these two are also a real threat from set-pieces. The left-back position remains up for grabs but due to Maicon’s influence on the team his counterpart on the other side of the pitch is often asked to tuck in and provide protection.

 

The point which has the purists knocking Dunga is his unfaltering selection of Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo in the middle of the park. This duo offer little in the way of creativity but both can play the hatchetman role with unerring ease. Elano is able to cover Maicon on the right side of midfield while Robinho is encouraged to roam from his starting post on the left. In the middle they have Kaká whose growing understanding with Luis Fabiano usually translates itself into goals.

 

They sound fairly decent don’t they? Well, they are Brazil after all.

 

Key Player: Kaká

 

If you looked closely enough you will have seen Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite with his hands on the World Cup once already. As a 20-year-old he travelled to the Far East as part of Brazil’s World Cup winning squad of 2002 but only got on the pitch for 25 minutes against Costa Rica.

 

Since then he has fought his way to becoming the star man of the Brazilian set-up and owner of the much coveted number 10 shirt. Despite already being a regular in the team during the 2006 World Cup it was the appointment of Dunga which saw Kaká’s stock rise within the Selecao camp. With Kaká’s devotion to religion and family he was seen as the antithesis of the partying antics of Ronaldo and co which was identified as the root of Brazil’s poor performance in Germany.

 

With Kaká’s ability however he needs few favours or special treatment from managers, just the opportunity to take the field and do what he does best. His most recent moment of magic in the yellow of Brazil was a pin point throughball to Luis Fabiano for Brazil’s third against Argentina in the game which sealed their passage to South Africa. The pass was a carbon copy of his ball for Hernan Crespo in the 2005 Champions League final. If you miss a piece of sublime skill from Kaká don’t worry, he’s bound to do it again sooner or later.

 

One To Watch: Nilmar

 

Nilmar Honorato da Silva is very highly rated in his homeland after two prolific spells with Internacional. He first left Brazil aged 19 to play for Lyon but it was clearly a step to soon for the youngster as he struggled to get to grips with the French League. He returned to Brazil and the goals starting coming again, it was Villarreal who were brave enough to give the player a second chance in Europe.

 

Nilmar is currently in the process of repaying the Spanish outfit for the faith that they showed in him and his goals have seen him on the fringes of the Brazilian set-up. The one thing he has done whenever he has played for Brazil is looked dangerous and his international tally of eight goals in nine games certainly supports this.

 

He recently scored back-to-back goals in friendlies against England and Oman, anyone who saw his headed goal against the English will recognise this is a player not afraid to improvise. Nilmar plays on the shoulder of defenders, waits his moment and relies on his electric pace to take him away from his marker.

 

The only trouble for the 25-year-old is that he must get himself ahead of a long list of strikers including Diego Tardelli, Adriano, Alexandre Pato and O Fenômeno himself, Ronaldo, if he is to make it to South Africa.

 

Results-wise things could not have gone much better for Dunga in the World Cup winner’s first management position. He has already started adding to Brazil’s overstacked trophy cabinet with victories in both the 2007 Copa América and the 2009 Confederations Cup. His only defeat at tournament level came during 2008 Olympic’s but he soon got revenge on Argentina by beating them 3-1 in their own backyard.

 

In fact Dunga is a man who takes defeat personally and after Portugal inflicted the first loss of his time in charge he masterminded a 6-2 demolition of the same opponents next time they played. He will no doubt be plotting something similar for when the two teams meet again in South Africa.

 

Dunga has interpreted his no-nonsense playing style into his role as manager. He inherited a side dominated by the Magic Quartet of Ronaldinho, Kaká, Adriano and Ronaldo. Dunga soon showed that nobody had a guaranteed place in the side and four years later it is only Kaká who is certain to feature if fit when Brazil play in South Africa.

 

These days you are just as likely to see flair in the dugout as on the pitch as Dunga continues to wear unusual matchday attire courtesy of his fashion designer daughter.

 

Recent Previous Tournaments

France 1998: Runner-up

South Korea/Japan 2002: Winner

Germany 2006: Quarter-finals

 

Soccerphile says…

 

As always Brazil has all the tools required to win the World Cup, they already have five triumphs to their name and of course a sixth in South Africa is not out of the question.

 

The Selecao have been on the top of their game for four years now under Dunga and are yet to play a game under their current boss where they looked overly suspect in any department. Personally though I just cannot see it being their year in South Africa.

 

I worry about the squad having to wait so long before taking the field for their first game and I worry about the possibility of an early meeting with Spain. I worry that they have looked so good since the end of the last World Cup that they will not know what to do when they find themselves up against it. I also worry that Dunga does not play Jugo Bonito and there are so many back home looking for the opportunity to get at him for taking the joy out of the Brazilian game.

 

Nobody will be asking for a game against the Selecao in South Africa but as the Brazilians say themselves, “The only team who can beat us is ourselves.”

 

World Cup 2010 squad

 

 

 …

Ronaldson’s Directory of Data Hk Faroese Football

Posted on by Helen Newton

 

 

When Alex Bellos kicked off his critically acclaimed history of Brazilian football “Futebol: The Brazilian Way Of Life” with a chapter on Faroese football, there were no doubt eyebrows raised at the bold choice of starting from one of football’s most remote outposts.

 

Yet if Bellos introduced a host of readers to a league brimming with club-names seemingly borrowed from the dregs of an alphabet soup, “Ronaldson’s Directory of Faroese Football” goes one step further.

 

Sub-titled “The Comprehensive guide to football in the Faroe Islands,” – with no hint of irony given that it’s almost certainly the only English-language Data Hk guide to Faroese football – Ronaldson’s guide is nevertheless a fantastic addition to the canon of football literature.

 

Beginning with the contact details of those in charge of administering Faroese football and indexing the island’s two national stadia at Tórsvøllur and Svangaskarð, the guide then meanders through the various clubs that make up the Faroe Islands Premier League and First Division.

 

The layout is pleasing to the eye, with a clear fact box sitting atop a black-and-white photo of each club’s ground, while notes on each team provide brief details of club history and team colours.

 

Concise directions ensure you’ll never get lost on the way to the big Tórshavn derby – and all the clubs are here – from HB and B36 to KÍ Klaksvík and the league’s most recent champions EB/Streymur, as well as the many minor clubs that also compete in this rugged North Atlantic island nation.

 

“The Rough Guide To European Football,” it is not, but editor and publisher John Ronaldson deserves praise for his concise, yet unquestionably effective guide to Faroese football.

 

Whether a fan of Faroese football or a conneissuer looking to add another niche title to the collection, “Ronaldson’s Directory of Faroese Football” is a worthy addition to any book shelf.

 

Heading down the pub to watch the footie or even following the races at the local bookie is just not the same since those puratanical anti-smokers decided to force their holier-than-thou ways on us with their smoking bans.

 

Flights have already been a pain for years, and necessitate the slapping on of numerous nicotine patches.

 

E cigarettes

 

On my last trip though one smart guy had found a way through the bullshit.

 

Relaxing in the plane on the trip over to Thailand he was happily puffing away on a little white stick. When asked by the hostess to stub out he pointed out that it was not a cigarette at all – a fact he was happy to prove by grinding the end out on his skin. The girl was most impressed!

 

E cigarettes

 

The guy was in fact smoking an e cigarette – a crazy invention where you suck on a metal tube (which looks so close to a real cigarette you couldn’t tell the difference). When you suck on it the intake of air activates a sensor which vaporizes a nicotine solution. It doesn’t smell, apparently it is far healthier (no carcinogens or tar) and best of all no combustion takes place – meaning it is legal to smoke in bars, on the plane – and at the bookie.

 

What’s more, you can now even buy anelectronic cigar to impress the lads at a poker party, or, if you fancy yourself as a bit of an English gentleman, you can get an e-pipe to go along with your tweed jacket.

 

The device actually originated in China, and have been making their way round the globe since then. They are currently available in both China and the UK, and can still be obtained in America. Supplies may be short lived in America, as the government are planning to give official FDA approval to home manufactured cigarettes that are forecast to kill 1 in 3 smokers while banning the alternatives that remove 90 – 99% of the risk of smoking.

 

No prizes for guessing the company sponsoring that legislation, then – you’ve got it, Philip Morris, the largest cigarette company in America…

 

 

 

 …

A Small Murphy’s…Maybe Judi Online

Posted on by Helen Newton

 

 

I have nothing but admiration for the reunited Spice Girls. Their music may have been atrocious, and you’d struggle to find a greater collection of dogs outside of Battersea, but their trailblazing work in the field of ginger acceptance remains unsurpassed.

 

The minging quintet penetrated the public consciousness to such an unprecedented degree that the entire English language evolved as a result. The bints were slightly embarrassed when the meaningless soundbite ‘Girl Power’ made it into the dictionary, but the moth-eaten, passé, semi-fossilised has-beens are rightfully proud of their place in the official betting glossary.

 

 

The ‘Baby’ bet is the absolute certainty: it only goes down on rare Judi Online occasions. The ‘Sporty’ is the one that looked good in the beginning, but on closer reflection; it could really go either way. The ‘Ginger’ is the loose punt you only consider after a few pints. The ‘Posh’ is the all-in mug’s bet, where you end up living on bread and water for a week, and the ‘Scary’ is a complete guess, like when Mel B reached the ‘father’s section’ on her daughter’s birth certificate.

 

 

I like to think that my ante-post football bets are straight out of the ‘Baby’ drawer. Manchester United won the league last season with Darren Fletcher, Park Ji Sung and John O’Shea all playing a prominent role. The deadwood will now be replaced by Hargreaves, Anderson and Wayne Rooney’s personal favourite, Nani. The 13/8 for the champions retaining their title is an exquisite piece of business.

 

In the relegation market, I will be going in hard on Wigan. The appointment of Chris Hutchings is probably reason enough, but the signing of Titus Bramble is an absolute clincher. Get on now at 11/8, or face a level of disappointment unseen since Eddie Murphy last opened his mail.

 

I used to really enjoy playing cricket at school, but my dreams of becoming a fast bowler were shattered by a particularly cruel PE teacher. I still remember the day he pulled me to one side and told me I had a disappointing length.

 

The whole set up of the sport is fundamentally flawed though; if I wanted a game to last five days I’d challenge the wife to noughts and crosses.

 

The one-day international is a far more entertaining spectacle. England have been priced up at 4/7 to see off the ineffectual Windies in Sunday’s opener; I’d be considering getting on if KP was playing on his own.

 

Big Brother’s Tracey remains a surprisingly popular figure outside of the house. Celebrities to have spoken up on her behalf include Eddie Izzard, Dana International and Hayley from Coronation Street. Nice guy Liam can still be backed at 9/2 for outright glory: that’s an old fashioned shoo-in.

 

I find playing darts quite frustrating; there’s nothing more embarrassing than suffering a bounce-out when you’re on top. Paul McCartney refuses to watch an entire match; he’s just happy to see a couple of legs. Phil Taylor is a clear favourite for the Las Vegas Desert Classic that kicks off on Monday, probably because of his years of experience at trying to get three in a bed. Barney is the new power; get on at 5/2.

 

 …

As One Leaves, Others Judi Slot Return

Posted on by Helen Newton

 

 

 

 

Every summer the press is full of speculation about which Korean player is going where. A potential transfer to one of the big leagues in Europe is a major generator of headlines in the numerous sports dailies on sale in Seoul and well as the innumerable portals that litter the internet.

 

It works both ways. As well as Judi Slot players like Lee Chung-yong who head west, there are those who come in the opposite direction and come home after stints in Europe.

 

Last year Lee Dong-gook, who spent 18 fairly miserable months in England with Middlesbrough, came back to the K-League late last year, just in time to spend a short – and fairly miserable time- with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma. This year though, he relocated to Jeonju and is starring for title challengers Jeonbuk Motors.

 

Last week, two more came home. Oh Beom-sok is a right-back and has signed for Ulsan Horang-I after his year or so spent in Russia with Samara FC. He is now ready to help an improving Ulsan challenge for the championship play-offs and there is almost half a season in which to do so. Oh was one of the stars of the 2007 Asian Cup due to his indefatigable runs down the wing and his ability to assist in attack.

 

A bigger story is the return of Kim Do-heon. ‘Hoeny’ as he was known at West Bromich Albion in England after moving west from Seongnam in January 2008, has come home to sign for the K-League champions, and the club where he started his career, Suwon Bluewings.

 

Kim was unlucky in the Premier League. As West Brom was promoted to England’s top tier in May 2008, Kim started to look like an automatic starter. But then a serious and unlucky injury in October, he caught his studs in the turf and damaged ligaments in his knee, put him out of action until the end of the year – though medical staff at the Birmingham club were amazed at how quickly the midfielder recovered.

 

The problem was that West Brom occupied bottom spot in the Premier League for almost the entire season and by the time Kim returned, he wasn’t able to get a sustained run in the team. Perhaps coach Tony Mowbray felt that the technically-gifted 27 year old was not suited for a the rough-and-tumble of a relegation battle in England.

 

As the team slipped back into the second tier and Mowbray departed for pastures new in Scotland, the club wanted to sell Kim and managed to do so to Suwon for around $500,000. That wasn’t the highest bid for the player from a Korean team but Kim wanted to stay in or around the capital.

 

With Suwon struggling this season, Kim who has played for the club before, will be a welcome addition and his shooting ability around the edge of the penalty area is a weapon that will have the club’s fans on their feet once he gets his eye in. For the moment though, he isn’t looking too far ahead.

 

“I felt that Suwon were the team that wanted me the most. I know the team well and the coach knows me. I am looking forward to doing my best and helping the team finish in the top six and play-offs,” Kim told local media at his unveiling.

 

That is looking more and more likely for Suwon after a Saturday evening’s 2-0 win at home to FC Seoul. Kim played the final 23 minutes of that match and his first action back in the Land of the Morning Calm was falling on the floor after a knee in the back from a Seoul defender. It was a typical K-League welcome but a great result. After his time in England, Kim feels that he can handle life at home.

 

“There were good things and bad about playing in Europe,” he said. “I was able to see for myself international football. On the other hand, I wanted to play many games but I wasn’t able to do that. But due to that experience, I will try to play well in the K-league.”

 

If he does, he may not only resurrect his international career but may just help Suwon’s season, one that has been forgettable so far, live a little longer in the memory.…

The Poker Revival with Judi Slot

Posted on by Helen Newton

 

 

Whilst momentum had been building for both branches of poker, this one fact seems to have been a primary reason for the growth to become so exponential. An online amateur of the game, Moneymaker penetrated the professional Togel Online world of poker and won in his first tournament.

 

It’s a defining modern day version of a rags-to-riches tale. From his name to the prize money, his amount of experience against the status of the event he was in, a sentimental script writer could not have done a better job of writing a story about seized opportunity. The effect of this shocking event was to open the sport up- make the world of poker seem instantly more accessible, and fundamentally, the prize funds up for grabs judi slot instantly seem more obtainable. For online poker the success of Moneymaker bore another level of fortune- it proved that playing the online game taught the skills that could help make you the best poker player in the world.

 

As Ben Affleck, himself a recent victor, recently commented, the game of poker itself is intoxicating, holding a level of drama and tension that has made it compulsive viewing and compulsive playing. Players are in with a chance of big wins if they have both the skill and the mettle to wear down their opponents, and of Togel Online course, if that essential element of luck is on their side.

 

The technology and media coverage are huge reasons for the continued growth of both land based and online poker. The great impact of Moneymaker’s win is adding that x-factor that industries, sports teams, movies and pretty much any other enterprise you can think of require, to capture a public’s imagination.

 …

BEST WAYS TO BET FOR A BIG JUDI BOLA RETURN

Posted on by Helen Newton

 

 

 

In the world of gambling, there are many different ways in which players can bet. Some players like to try and steadily build up their money with small wins, but others seek the rush of landing a big win. If you are that kind of player, there are a few games that suit your needs.

 

HORSE RACING

Horse racing is a versatile sport. Some players don’t even see betting on it as gambling. With a lot of research and knowledge of the horses, trainers, and jockeys, players can put themselves at an advantage. With some clever betting, some people make a living out of building small wins steadily.

 

Along with making clever calculated bets, there is the other option- to go for a big gamble. If you want to try and land a huge return on horses, you could try your luck at an accumulator. Betting on five or six horses to place in a race will often offer judi bola odds of over 1000/1. This is obviously because the chances of winning are slim, but if you get lucky it can provide a massive return on your stake.

 

LOTTERY

 

Lottery is perhaps the ultimate method of gambling for players who like big returns, because a win on any lottery will result in life-changing amounts of money as a reward. Players can now buy all their lottery tickets online for various lotteries across the world. TheTopLotto offers a comprehensive list of different lotteries, and information about them. Players can make an informed decision using sites like these, about which lottery they wish to play. To increase the chances of winning at this, it would be wise to buy tickets for a number of different lotteries across the world. If your lucky numbers fail in one country, they may come in elsewhere.

There are plenty of online scratch cards that players can play in between lotteries as well. These too, offer a large return on the player’s stake.

 

“Roulette”

 

Roulette is one of the oldest and most played casino games. Although many people have tried to develop strategies to beat the wheel, it is still very much down to luck. Players can use systems to control how much they win or lose to a certain extent, but if played for lengthy periods of time, statistics show that the house always wins.

 

However, that doesn’t mean that the game can’t be highly enjoyable. Players can receive one of the biggest rushes of any casino game when they get lucky on the roulette wheel. Sky TV once made a program about a guy who put his life savings all on red at a casino in Las Vegas (see above). Ashley Revell sold everything he owned which amounted to $136 000. He bet it all on red and won, and you could see from the reaction the amazing feeling he experienced. If you don’t want to stake so much cash, though, you can always bet on a particular number to try for a high return.

One thing that is important to remember when playing any of these games is, don’t stake more than you are willing to lose. These options offer high returns but that is because the chances of them coming off are slim…

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