World Cup 2010 News

Ah...the groups for European qualifications for World Cup 2010 was done and dusted in South Aftica on 25th November 2007. I thought to share my thoughts on the groupings and see for comments.

Group 1
Portugal
Sweden
Denmark
Hungary
Albania
Malta

Comments: Portugal and Sweden would be the favorites to qualify from this group with Denmark playing the part of the dark horses. As for Hungary, Albania and Malta, their best hope is to avoid a trashing.

Group 2
Greece
Israel
Switzerland
Moldova
Lativa
Luxembourg

Comments: An interesting group where Euro 2004 champions Greece should be the favorites here. The runner up place should be between Israel and Switzerland though Lativa might throw a spanner into things.

Group 3
Czech Republic
Poland
Northern Ireland
Slovakia
Slovenia
San Marino

Comments: The fight for qualification would be down to Czech Republic and Poland with Northern Ireland a threat. Interesting though is the pairing of Czech Republic with Slovakia as they were together as Czechovakia, if I am not wrong.

Group 4
Germany
Russia
Finland
Wales
Azerbaijan
Liechtenstein

Comments: Germany by the strength of their team should take the group if they do not underestimate their opponents, leaving Russia, Finland and Wales to fight for the runners up spot.

Group 5
Spain
Turkey
Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Armenia
Estonia

Comments: A straight duel between Spain and Turkey for the top spot in the group as the rest do not seen like a major threat to these 2 nations.

Group 6
Croatia
England
Ukraine
Belarus
Kazahstan
Andoora

Comments: What a more interesting group than this one. England and Croatia again for qualifications with Ukraine in the Russia role. Hopefully this time, England do their work well.

Group 7
France
Romania
Serbia
Lithuania
Austria
Faroe Islands

Comments: France should be overwhelming favorites to take this group, but has to be wary of Romania and Serbia though.

Group 8
Italy
Bulgaria
Republic of Ireland
Cyprus
Gerogia
Montenegro

Comments: Based on the strength of the group, World Cup Holders Italy should qualify with ease.

Group 9
Holland
Scotland
Norway
Macedonia
Iceland

Comments: The group of death for me in the qualifications are even the supposed minnows Macedonia and Iceland are no pushovers. Best group for upset actions.

Headlines time

1. " Cetlic Cup in 2009"
In the place of non qualifications for Euro 2008, the football federations of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland agreed in principles for a four nation cup. England though distanced themselves from the idea, even if the idea came from UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Read on find out more.

2. "Bruce's Round up on Birmingham"
After being formally introduced as the new manager of Wigan, Steve Bruce let loose on his thoughts on his old club, Birmingham. Read on find out more.

3. "Sir Alex Charged"
More bad news for Sir Alex after his sending off on Saturday as English FA has formally charged him with using abusive language against a match official. Read on find out more.

4. "Sir Alex Rally his troops for Sporting game"
Sir Alex has came out rallying his troops for the Sporting Game in midweek as a win would cemment Man utd as Group F winners and for a easier draw in the second group. Read on find out more.

Some soccer News

What a weekend for EPL. Big result for Bolton to put off 1-0 win at home vs Man Utd. Can you believe it that was Bolton's first league win at home vs Man Utd for 30 years? Another icing on the cake is sending off of Sir Alex to the stands? Maybe he is letting off steam for not fielding Cristando Ronaldo in the absence of Rooney or he underestimate Bolton. Well Done Bolton for making the season interesting. If Bolton played this way week in and out, they would be safe from the relegation.

A bad day for Man Utd overall with Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Portsmouth all winning their respective games.

Ah...now Pool is just 3 points behind Man Utd with a good 3-0 win away at Newcastle. It seen that Newcastle even without Bramble, still has problem in defence. Another problem is whether Big Sam would be given sufficient time to turn things around as the Toons are not patient fans. As for Pool, it is nice to see Gerrard forgetting the events of mid week and focusing on the task on hand. Next is Porto in mid week CL action which better be careful.

Arsenal and Man City left it late to win their games against Wigan and Reading respectively. Only in the 83rd minute, did Arsenal breach Wigan's resistance with a Gallas goal. As for Man City, a 90th minute was needed to secure their win.

As for Chelsea, they are lucky to escape with a 2-0 win which should have been 1-1 to Derby County. A Kenny miller's equalizer wrongly ruled offside and a SWP goal that should not be given due a foul in the build up. But that's football where luck play a major part.

Portsmouth and Aston Villa enjoyed their win with a comfortable 2-0 and 3-0 win vs Birmingham and Middlesbrough.

Match of the day is the emphatic 7-1 win of Everton vs Sunderland at Goodison Park. It seen that this season would be a high scoring season as there have been at least one eight goal match every month so far. Tough luck for Keane and co though, but congratulations to David Moyes and his boys for such an entertaining match.

English Premiership Results

Newcastle 0-3 Liverpool
Arsenal 2-0 Wigan
Bolton 1-0 Man Utd
Man City 2-1 Reading
Birmingham 0-2 Portsmouth
Middlesbrough 0-3 Aston Villa
Derby 0-2 Chelsea

Bundesliga Results

Karlsruhe 2-1 Hertha Berlin
Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 Duisburg
Bayern Munich 2-1 Wolfsburg
Bochum 3-0 Arminia Biefield
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-4 Stuttgart
Energie Cottbus 0-2 Werder Bremen
Hannover 2-3 Schalke

It seen that all the big boys won respectively yesterday in the Bundesliga. A win in 5 games finally for Munich should wake their title challenge again. Really the morale winning victory vs Munich seen to spur Stuttgart on.

Spanish La Liga

Barcelona 3-0 Recreativo Huelva
Sevilla 1-2 Mallorca
Murcia 1-1 Real Madrid

Okay expected Barcelona to bounce back, but Sevilla to lose at home and Madrid's draw is unexpected though. At least the title race would be interesting though with such results. Great Chance for Villarreal and Valencia to catch up with wins.

Italian Serie A

Inter Milan 2-1 Atalanta
Genoa 0-1 Roma

Routine wins for Inter and Roma. Expected from them. Let's see why Fiorentina, Juventus or AC Milan can do tonite.

NEWS TIME

1. "Sir Alex's date with FA"
After his side lost 1-0 to Bolton at the Reebok Stadium, Sir Alex would also have to face a date with the English FA after his sending off to the stands during the match. After some many years, it seen that he had lost his fire in him though.

2. "Prefect Seven at home for Barcelona"
After winning 3-0 vs Recreativo Huelva, Barcelona maintain a prefect home record of seven home wins to move within a point of Real Madrid. However impressive as their home form, their away form need improvement as six points from 18 points are not champships form. Next up is Lyon away in the CL.

3. "Good Lesson to be Learnt"
After his departure or sacking, Steven McClaren is postive that his tenture would provide a good lesson to be learnt by his successor. McClaren's term as English Boss is one of the shortest ever, just 12 months.

4. "Lyon's Price for Victory"
France Champions won 2-0 away to Rennes to bounce back from their defeat to Marseille. However injury to midfielder Karim Benzama may be a higher price extracted 4 days ahead of crucial CL crash with Barcelona. A miracle may be needed for him to play, which without a doubt is a major blow for Lyon.