Official World Cup 2014 Qualifying Thread (Blame It On RIO)

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Surprised no one mentioned it here, but FIFA has finally decided to not be completely useless and will implement goal line technology at the next World Cup. Apparently they're going to be testing it at this year's Confederations Cup.

Better late then never. Hopefully the implementation is smooth and this gets to the top leagues as well.

[Muta]

What the hell?? That's awesome! I hope Tahiti kicks the flying crap out of the rest of them. They all take soccer way too seriously anyways. I hope Tahiti dumps on all their opponents' shinpads before the game.

[Locke]

Playmaker Wesley Sneijder returned to the Netherlands squad Friday after a six-month absence for the World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Romania.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/13...months?cc=5901

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has left out Fernando Torres from his squad for two World Cup qualifiers, including the critical match against France.

Del Bosque says "Torres had been a regular until recently, his inconsistency worries us."

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/13...france?cc=5901

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was shocked when he heard that Rio Ferdinand had got an international recall, and has hinted the defender's fitness may yet prevent him from returning to the England fold.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/13...dinand?cc=5901

Interesting team selections. Rio is back!

[d_phaneuf]

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Joe Hart, Fraser Forster.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Leon Osman, Scott Parker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young.

Strikers: Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck.

really miss Wilshere when you look at those CM options

excited to see possibly Lennon and Walcott on either wing, both are in good form at the same time for possibly the first time ever

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Joe Hart, Fraser Forster.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Leon Osman, Scott Parker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young.

Strikers: Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck.

really miss Wilshere when you look at those CM options

excited to see possibly Lennon and Walcott on either wing, both are in good form at the same time for possibly the first time ever

------------- Foster
Smalling - Cahill - Ferdinand - Baines
----- Carrick ---- Gerard-------
--Lennon --- Rooney --- Walcottt
---------- Welbeck -----------

Bench
Hart
Cole
Young
Cleverly
Milner
Parker
Sturridge

[Addick]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

excited to see possibly Lennon and Walcott on either wing, both are in good form at the same time for possibly the first time ever

That excitement might have to be tempered a bit as Walcott has cooled off as of late. With that being said, though, he does look more mature and hasn't gone as completely invisible as he has in past slow periords.

[cam_wmh]

Why no Jagielka?

[devo22]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Why no Jagielka?

Jags is injured. He had ankle surgery after that Le Fondre tackle and will miss some time.

Glad to see Rio back, didn't think he'd ever be recalled, but he deserves it - he's still excellent. Ferguson confirmed that Rio will accept the recall.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

------------- Foster
Smalling - Cahill - Ferdinand - Baines
----- Carrick ---- Gerard-------
--Lennon --- Rooney --- Walcottt
---------- Welbeck -----------

Bench
Hart
Cole
Young
Cleverly
Milner
Parker
Sturridge

as much as on form it's deserved, I would be surprised if Hart doesn't start

rest of the lineup seems likely except Lennon may be injuried

[Bagor]

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn from England's squad for their World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro. The decision was taken following a meeting on Sunday with Ferdinand, 34, and England boss Roy Hodgson.

At the meeting, Ferdinand confirmed he wants to continue playing for England.
"I'm disappointed Rio will not be available, but due to the detailed medical programme he must follow it's not possible," said Hodgson.

Ferdinand later said on Twitter he was "gutted" but said it was necessary as part of his "intricate pre-planned programme".

In a statement he added: "It was important for me to be able to speak with Roy face to face and explain the situation, and one thing I made clear was that my passion and commitment to represent my country is as strong as ever."
Tottenham's Steven Caulker, who was originally named in Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad, will now join the seniors.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21833182

Ferdinand affords Roy more courtesy than was afforded to him. Could have simply pulled out and said it was a footballing decision.

Having said that, given that he's on a detailed medical programme now that won't allow him to play two games in a week then what good is he going to be next year in Brasil in a WC tournament setting?

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by devo22

Jags is injured. He had ankle surgery after that Le Fondre tackle and will miss some time.

Whoa I missed that.

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

as much as on form it's deserved, I would be surprised if Hart doesn't start

rest of the lineup seems likely except Lennon may be injuried

I'd be surprised too, but if current form is any consideration, and not psychologically affecting Hart, well this season Foster has been lights out, and Hart has been sub-par.

Hurt Lennon? Then..
--------- Foster
Smalling - Cahill - Dawson? - Baines
----- Carrick ---- Gerard-------
--Rooney --- Lampard --- Walcottt
---------- Welbeck --------

Originally Posted by Bagor

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21833182

Ferdinand affords Roy more courtesy than was afforded to him. Could have simply pulled out and said it was a footballing decision.

Having said that, given that he's on a detailed medical programme now that won't allow him to play two games in a week then what good is he going to be next year in Brasil in a WC tournament setting?

Pure class.
Curious to see Roy make the right decision in future qualifiers when JT is fit, as is Rio.

[d_phaneuf]

I don't understand him pulling out unless it's an FU

Brazil is up in the air it would seem and probably depends on how Smalling/Caulker/Jones develop next year, but even if he can only play once a week you still bring him as a backup but not a starter

they could lose out and win the league, the only cup left is the FA Cup and that game is on April 1st (and he's not playing the league game 2 days earlier if he plays in that)

Dawson pulled out now as well (and Lennon is out officially)

so it's either Smalling or Caulker with Cahill

I would prefer Smalling and Caulker together

[cam_wmh]

Roy may want to call up Sterling.

Rio's getting on and choosing his games wisely. To be candid, both of these games should be wins, thus he's not vital to the squad winning. Allows Roy to see the next generation in proper matches, he wouldn't necessarily have the luxury of fielding them in.

[cam_wmh]

Now Cahill's out.

LOL

[cam_wmh]

I'm gonna throw this out there...


David de Gea is the best Spanish keeper there is right now.

[d_phaneuf]

assuming Iker is still injured

he's still the best in the world, but after that it's up in the air

Reina hasn't been good lately, never thought Valdes was great

[cam_wmh]

You say Casillas, I say Neuer.

You say potatoe, I say potato.

[GirlySports]

Neuer still makes too many strange judgements. Sort of like the mistakes Cech makes. Brain farts.

Casillas and Buffon are still the best.
I've always liked Julio Cesar as well. His formed dipped a bit after a disasterous 2010 World Cup QF against Holland but right now, he's the only reason QPR aren'r relegated already.

[GirlySports]

Trouble in US camp.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/s...&sct=hp_t2_a11



I would be so strange (yet fitting) if the US made 6 consecutive world cups with basically no name managers and fighting spirit and then fail to qualify when they have a superdiva international manager.

Go back to American coaches!

[Addick]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I would be so strange (yet fitting) if the US made 6 consecutive world cups with basically no name managers and fighting spirit and then fail to qualify when they have a superdiva international manager.

Go back to American coaches!

Change can be difficult and in order to go forward you often need to go backwards first, just ask Liverpool supporters. People need to be patient as you can't expect immediate results when you are trying something new to get you past your former limits.