I'm not overly convinced with Canada so far. The statistics for this preliminary round perhaps give the impression that they are better than they are because of a few lopsided wins. Sure, they won the group, but with all due respect to the opposition, these were not quality teams.
St. Kitts showed some fight, particularly at home, but I would still expect this Canadian squad to pick them apart.
I completely agree. I think Canada is going to get picked apart by Honduras and Panama (yet again).
I do like that management is going to try and organize some friendlies before the next group qualifying, and that De Rosario has confidence in their abilities, but again, I think Canada comes up short. Panama and Honduras are just too good for the Canadians over and over.
American Samoa, tied for 204th and last in the FIFA world rankings, had been outscored 229-12 since starting international play in 1994, including a world record 31-0 defeat to Australia in a World Cup qualifier in 2001. Twelve of the losses had been in World Cup qualifying in which they had been outscored 129-2.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
There was bizarre double celebration in American Samoa this week as the tiny nation, who are ranked as the joint-worst international team in the world in FIFA's standings, not only won their first match for 17-years but did so by fielding the first ever transgender player in an official match.
Defender Johnny "Jayieh" Saelua helped the Samoans, ranked 204th, beat the mighty Tonga, ranked 202nd, 2-1 in an Oceania 2014 World Cup qualifier to end a run of 30 consecutive defeats. And, during the jubilant scenes that greeted the final whistle, head coach Thomas Rongen declared: "I've really got a female starting at centre back. Can you imagine that in England or Spain?"
Although that's not strictly true as Saelua is part of the fa'afafine - biological males who have a strong feminine gender orientation and identify as a third sex that is widely accepted in Polynesian culture. However, the defender was raised as a woman and said after the match: "The team accept me and we have that mutual respect. Which is great. It's all part of the culture."
Brilliantly, Saelua was also named 'Man of the Match' after providing an assist and making a goal-line clearance in the dying seconds of the game.
American Samoa coach Rongen said: ‘Maybe we have a chance to do something special here beyond this one game, but let's enjoy this one right now.’
Samoa is the lowest ranked team.. In fact they lost 31-0 to Australia in 2001- making football history.. They also had 30 straight defeats prior to Wednesday’s win.
The team must really be happy after the match..
__________________ Brazil 2014: The more time you have, the more mistakes you will make.
The Score had an interview with Julian de Guzman about his brother potentially playing for the national team. Apparently he has also asked for Hoilett's phone number to contact him about joining the team as well. I'll see it when I believe it, but this would be great news for our chances in the next round if the two join the team.
For those who don't know the backstory, Jonathon de Guzman renounced his Canadian citizenship to try to make the Dutch national team.
The Score had an interview with Julian de Guzman about his brother potentially playing for the national team. Apparently he has also asked for Hoilett's phone number to contact him about joining the team as well. I'll see it when I believe it, but this would be great news for our chances in the next round if the two join the team.
For those who don't know the backstory, Jonathon de Guzman renounced his Canadian citizenship to try to make the Dutch national team.
I remember this. Kid is an idiot if he thinks he ever has a chance at that. You could be Canada's #1 striker or continue to pine after the Holland job.
I dont see him ever ousting:
Robin van Persie
Dirk Kuyt - probably going to retire internationally after Euro 2012
Huntelaar
Ryan Babel
Lately they've been blooding:
Luke de Jong
Roy Bereens
And they have Rick van Wolfswinkel potentially available.
Hell, they'd be more likely to recall Ruud van Nistelrooy.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
I remember this. Kid is an idiot if he thinks he ever has a chance at that. You could be Canada's #1 striker or continue to pine after the Holland job.
I dont see him ever ousting:
Robin van Persie
Dirk Kuyt - probably going to retire internationally after Euro 2012
Huntelaar
Ryan Babel
Lately they've been blooding:
Luke de Jong
Roy Bereens
And they have Rick van Wolfswinkel potentially available.
Hell, they'd be more likely to recall Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Jonathon de Guzman is a midfielder not a striker but Holland is even more loaded at midfield.Even a kid like Kevin Strootman has surpassed him on the pecking order let alone Sniejder, Robben, Van Der Vaart, Affelay etc so your main point still stands he has little chance of making the Dutch squad
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Last edited by vennegoor of hesselink; 12-03-2011 at 06:40 PM.
Preparations and relationships between the organisers and FIFA officials at a strain to put it mildly ....
Quote:
Football's world governing body Fifa has expressed concern about Brazil's preparations for the 2014 World Cup. The construction of stadiums, transport infrastructure and hotels for fans is behind schedule, said Fifa's general secretary Jerome Valcke.
He added that Brazil appeared to be more concerned with winning the World Cup than organising it.
Mr Valcke said there was no "Plan B" for an alternative venue, but warned that fans could suffer.
"I don't understand why things are not moving," he told reporters during a visit to London.
"The concern is that nothing is made or prepared to receive so many people, because the world wants to go to Brazil. I am sorry to say but things are not working in Brazil," he said.
He added that organisers needed to give themselves "a kick up the backside" to get things ready on time.
Brazil says it will no longer deal with the secretary-general of football's world governing body, Fifa, following his "unacceptable" comments about preparations for the 2014 World Cup. Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo insisted Fifa appoint someone else to work with Brazil on the competition.
Jerome Valcke had said Brazil needed a "kick up the backside".
He said the country appeared to be more concerned with winning the World Cup than organising it.
Mr Valcke responded to the sports minister's snub by calling the move "puerile".
'Not working' Mr Rebelo branded Mr Valcke's comments inappropriate and said Brazil would no longer welcome him to the country.
"In light of these statements, which are inadequate and unacceptable comments for any type of relationship, the Brazilian government is going to send a letter to Blatter telling him it no longer accepts Secretary-General Valcke as an interlocutor," Mr Rebelo said.
Hopefully never again unless FIFA wants non-atmosphere and non embracement of the tournament from the host nation.
That's speaking as someone that lived in Boston in the summer of 94 and attended two games in NYC. Two host cities that you would hardly have known the tournament was going on and that's considering one of the games was between the Irish and Italians in NY.
Sure, they've got the infrastructure but give me a game in a country with rickety old stadiums with a passionate crowd.
As for the Brazilian incident, maybe a bit of an overreaction but at the same time not very diplomatic by the secretary general.
Starting to consider hitting this tournament. Manaus would be first choice.
Hopefully never again unless FIFA wants non-atmosphere and non embracement of the tournament from the host nation.
That's speaking as someone that lived in Boston in the summer of 94 and attended two games in NYC. Two host cities that you would hardly have known the tournament was going on and that's considering one of the games was between the Irish and Italians in NY.
Sure, they've got the infrastructure but give me a game in a country with rickety old stadiums with a passionate crowd.
As for the Brazilian incident, maybe a bit of an overreaction but at the same time not very diplomatic by the secretary general.
Starting to consider hitting this tournament. Manaus would be first choice.
You're right. I was in Dallas and if I walked past the Cotton Bowl parking lot, the World Cup would end there.
I think it would be different now though. Americans didn't know anything in 1994. Soccer is much more popular now.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
According to a recent ESPN poll, professional soccer is the #2 most popular sport with Americans age 12-24, and by far the most popular with Hispanics in the same age group. Chart showing popularity stats:
Spoiler!
I was really hoping the U.S. would land the WC that went to Qatar. Those folks would be taking their kids. Maybe in '26...
Last edited by Montana Moe; 03-04-2012 at 07:10 AM.
