FIFA - Confederation's Cup

[J.R.]

Anyone else taking any interest in this tournament that has recently begun?

It's an eight team international english football tournament that features each of the six continents best teams, plus the host and reigning World Cup Champion. So joining Germany and Brazil are Greece (European champions), Mexico (CONCACAF champions), Argentina (Copa America runners up), Tunisia (African champions), Japan (Asian champions) and Australia (Oceania champions).

Looks like some solid competition as a warm up (and preview of the new stadiums) to next year's World Cup. Judging by the two games I caught today, it's going to be a great tournament. Argentina slightly got past Tunisia 2-1 and Germany beat Australia 4-3 in a goal-filled match.

Complete schedule: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/c/match/index.html

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/06/en/c/confed2.jpg

[a4l]

I like it because it is football but it is rather uneven as some parts of the world have much weaker teams than the rest.

[Madferret]

Watching the Argentina v Tunisia repeat now, a total flab of a spot kick by Tunisia. No class...

[Madferret]

Hellacious start for Greece
*The European champions from Greece were unable to match the creativity of the Brazilian attack, escaping with a flattering 3-0 loss.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- World Cup champion Brazil overwhelmed European champion Greece 3-0 on Thursday in the Confederations Cup -- and it could have been worse for the Greeks. With both teams near full strength, Brazil dominated on goals by Adriano, Robinho and substitute Juninho Pernambucano.

In Thursday's other Group B match, Mexico rallied to beat Asian champion Japan 2-1 on goals from Zinha and Jose Fonseca. Atsushi Yanagisawa scored early for Japan. Mexico is unbeaten in 19 games and almost certain to qualify for the World Cup finals from the CONCACAF region.

The eight-team Confederations Cup is a low-key prelude to the next year's World Cup finals in Germany. But there was nothing laid back about Brazil's win. "For an opening game, I'm satisfied with our performance," Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. "The balance was very good today. Everybody did his job, we played as a team.

"We've still got a lot to do before the World Cup, but it was very encouraging." Brazil pressed for most of the first half before Adriano broke through with a spectacular goal in the 41st. Standing on the right wing, he faked left and right, and then stepped into a left-footed shot that slammed into the net from 25 metres -- squeezing in between Greece goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis and the post to his left.

Only 40 seconds into the second half, Brazil's Robinho made it 2-0. After missing several chances in the first half, he scored coming down the right side, knocking the ball in off a pass from Gilberto.

Juninho entered in the 77th, and scored four minutes later on a 25-metre free kick that curled in high to Nikopolidis' right. "It's a big thing just to be here. We did what we could," Greece captain Theodoros Zagorakis said. "We could have done better but it was a great experience for us."

Brazil was missing only fullbacks Cafu and Roberto Carlos and striker Ronaldo. All three are being rested.Greece was also nearly complete, featuring 18 players from last summer's European Championship team.

Mexico's win over Japan gives it a chance to make the semifinals.After Yanagisawa gave the Asian champions a 1-0 lead in the 12th, Mexico finally cracked the Japanese defence. Antonio Naelson, known as Zinha, made it 1-1 in the 39th on a spectacular 22-meter (yard) drive.

Slightly to the left side of the pitch, the midfielder drove a right-footed shot into the far corner that went in over the outstretched arms of Japan 'keeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.

More: Mexico beat Far East reps

Fonseca put the match away with his 64th-minute header, driving a header in from 10 meters (yards) off a cross from the left wing. "It was a good win for us," Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe said. "We are one year away from the World Cup, so it is very good for the team to play strong teams.

"Maybe we were surprised by their speed and touches on the ball, so you have to give them a big hand," he added. "But we got stronger as the game went along."

Mexico was slightly understrength, playing without injured FC Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez. Several players from club team Chivas also sat out after arriving following Tuesday's Copa Libertadores match. They included Alberto Medina and Ramon Morales.

Japan has already qualified for the World Cup finals, where it won 10 of its 11 Asian World Cup qualifiers. Japan coach Zico said his players had not let down after qualifying last week.

"The players are very motivated," Zico said. "There may have been some emotional impact from the big game, but I don't think it (already qualifying) made much difference in the game."

There are no games scheduled for Friday, but Germany faces Tunisia and Australia plays Argentina on Saturday in Group A. On Sunday in Group B, it's Brazil vs. Mexico and Greece vs. Japan.

I'm not a Brazil fan at all, but I'm glad the fluke run of the Greek team is over. Watch for them to further embaress themselves in the Fed Cup, and show football fans everywhere that their Euro run was nothing more than lucky horse sh!t.

[J.R.]

I'm not a Brazil fan at all, but I'm glad the fluke run of the Greek team is over. Watch for them to further embaress themselves in the Fed Cup, and show football fans everywhere that their Euro run was nothing more than lucky horse sh!t.Exactly. I watched parts of yesterday's match and that defensive play that they were so praised for last year was no where to be found. Brazil simply shredded them and they looked unbalanced. Hellas is definitely not a top team on the World stage.

[Madferret]

Hellas is definitely not a top team on the World stage.

They never were!
They're having a tough time qualifying for WC 2006 also, actually that's an understatement. They're pretty much finished and won't qualify for WC 2006.

EUFA Group 2 (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/t/group/overview.html?grp=eur_2)

[Madferret]

Mexico upsets Brazil 1-0

FRANKFURT (AP) - For a day at least, the king of Latin American soccer is Mexico. Mexico upset Brazil 1-0 on Sunday in the Confederations Cup, outplaying the five-time World Cup champions with Jared Borgetti snatching the winner on a 59th-minute header.

Mexico joined Germany and Argentina in the semifinals of this high-profile showcase, a two-week tune-up for next year's World Cup."It's a great triumph for Mexico. It was a great battle," said Mexico 'keeper Oswaldo Sanchez.

In Sunday's other Group B game, Asian champion Japan beat European champion Greece 1-0. Greece is out of the chase to reach the semis. The other berth will be decided on Wednesday when Japan plays Brazil.

Mexico's victory gave it six points in Group B. Japan and Brazil have three each, and Greece zero.In Group A on Saturday, Germany defeated Tunisia 3-0 and Argentina beat Australia 4-2. The semis are next weekend and the final on June 29.

In Hannover, Borgetti headed in a corner kick that beat flat-footed Brazil goalkeeper Dida. The corner was set up when Ramon Morales raced down the left side, and cut the ball across the goalmouth with Brazilian Lucio just deflecting it across the endline.It was justice for Borgetti.In the 29th, Roque Junior was called for pulling him down in the area.

Borgetti scored the first penalty, but the play was called back by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti. He ruled a Mexican player strayed into the area. His next penalty attempt went off the crossbar, but Rosetti also called that one back. He said Dida moved off the goal-line before the shot.

The third attempt was stopped by Dida diving to his right.It was also a sweet victory for Mexico's Argentine coach Ricardo Lavolpe."It's never easy playing against a great team like Brazil," Lavolpe said. "My players made a double effort to secure this result."

Brazil controlled most of the first half with Adriano, Ronaldinho and Robinho getting several good chances. In the first 25 minutes, Brazil outshot Mexico 8-0. Mexico got its first shot in the 27th when Morales struck a hard drive from the left wing into 'keeper Dida's hands.

But Mexico edged back, seemingly encouraged by the penalty mix up."We could have finished the game off in the first half," said Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. "We had plenty of chances. We weren't quick enough and we had trouble finding any gaps in their defence."

In Frankfurt, substitute Masashi Oguro's goal in the 76th minute lifted Japan over Greece. Oguro, who came on in the 66th, took a through ball from Shunsuke Nakamura and slipped it past Greek 'keeper Antonis Nikopolidis from 10 yards.Japan had far more chances but had trouble finishing.

"It was important for us to beat the European champions, but more importantly to show the ability of the Japanese players," said Japan's Brazilian coach Zico. "We played a good match, but I wish we had scored more. We had so many chances." Asked why his players had trouble scoring, he said: "It's not technique, it's a psychological problem. Japanese players are too hectic in front of the goal."

A year after winning the European championship, Greece is in trouble. Greece was beaten 3-0 by Brazil on Thursday. Greece is also coming off a loss to Ukraine in World Cup qualifying, hurting its chances of reaching next year's finals in Germany.

"Japan was a class better today," Greece's German coach Otto Rehhagel said. "We were lucky we didn't lose by more." Greece played without two key injured defenders - Michalis Kapsis was out with a hamstring injury, and Giourkas Seitaridis was sidelined with a knee injury. The Greeks were also without captain Theodoros Zagorakis, who played on Saturday for club team Bologna.

Bye bye Brazilio...

[Man.Utd]

This opens the door for Germany if we can sneak past Argentina! :wicked: Let the kids take us back to glory!

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/gen/afp/20050618/i/2215382232.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/gen/afp/20050618/i/66140916.jpg

[J.R.]

This opens the door for Germany if we can sneak past Argentina! :wicked: Let the kids take us back to glory!A 2-2 draw was enough for the Germans to win their group, based on GD over Argentina. They'll play the number two team from group B, which could be Mexico, Japan or Brazil. After today the semi finals will be set and they begin on Saturday.

Will Germany be experienced enough to compete at home next year in the World Cup?

[Madferret]

Will Germany be experienced enough to compete at home next year in the World Cup?

The Germans should ALWAYS be taken serious and considered a threat Junes. The work ethic of every German team I've seen is unmatchable.

[bluemeanie]

Does anyonw know if the Germany - Brazil match is going to be televised here?

[Madferret]

Does anyonw know if the Germany - Brazil match is going to be televised here?

Ya here Blue...

Be sure to tune into Rogers Sportsnet this weekend as the final four teams battle at the Confederations Cup.
Soccer on SN (http://www2.sportsnet.ca/tvschedule/tvsked_sport.php?region=ONTARIO&schedule_id=7)

I'm guessing it's the 12pm game, then Mexico / Argentina on at 2pm.

Prediction - Brazil vs Argentina finals - Argentina CONFED Cup winner

[bluemeanie]

** Predictions Brazil vs Argentina finals, Argentina Cup winner **

Cheers.

Yeah, that's my guess too. I have a feeling that both matches are going to be good. And even though Germany has seemingly shown more hunger in this tourny than Brazil has... Germany just can't seem to beat any top teams these days. Of coarse, if Brazil plays well against Germany and come out as the winners, they may just get the confidence that they need to pounce out Argentina who also has a history of choking at this stage of tournaments. Has anyone seen any of the Mexico games? They seem to be doing well... yes?

[Madferret]

Cheers.

Yeah, that's my guess too. I have a feeling that both matches are going to be good. And even though Germany has seemingly shown more hunger in this tourny than Brazil has... Germany just can't seem to beat any top teams these days. Of coarse, if Brazil plays well against Germany and come out as the winners, they may just get the confidence that they need to pounce out Argentina who also has a history of choking at this stage of tournaments. Has anyone seen any of the Mexico games? They seem to be doing well... yes?

Haven't seen any of the Mexico games. I'll admit to never really taking them very serious as a Sqaud as they are a CONCACAF rep. They are atop their Group for WC qualifying as well, but again CONCACAF is a pretty weak zone.

CONCACAF Teams
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Canada
Cayman Islands
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
French Guyana
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Martinique
Mexico
Montserrat
Netherlands Antilles
Nicaragua
Panama
Puerto Rico
Saint-Martin
Sint Maarten
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and The Grenadines
Surinam
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
US Virgin Islands
USA

The sad thing is that Canada can't even make a dent in this zone.

[J.R.]

I'm guessing it's the 12pm game, then Mexico / Argentina on at 2pm.Both games are on at noon eastern, but on different days this weekend. Saturday features Germany / Brazil, while Argentina / Mexico will play on Sunday.

Prediction wise, I'm with you Ferret. It'll be an all South American final, with the Argentinians beating Brazil for the second time in less than a month.

[Madferret]

Brazil relishes another shot at old antagonist Argentina in Confed Cup

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - It's only three weeks ago that Brazil was soundly beaten 3-1 by Argentina in a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires.

Wednesday's final in the Confederations Cup offers Brazil a chance for revenge in an almost-100-year-old rivalry. In career games with Brazil, Argentina holds a scant one-game edge. Of course Brazil has five World Cup titles to Argentina's two.

"It's going to be a fantastic final. It's a meeting between two excellent schools of soccer," Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. "It will be a duel between two great teams of world soccer, teams which probably have the best individual players."

Prior to Argentina's 3-1 victory came a 3-1 victory for Brazil - also in World Cup qualifying. And before that, Brazil defeated Argentina on penalties in last year's Copa America final - the continental championship. "Brazil and Argentina playing for the trophy is a game that will go down in history, like the Copa America game," said AC Milan midfielder Kaka.

As he seeks to tune up for next year's World Cup in Germany, Parreira has had to take into account player fatigue. He exempted star striker Ronaldo, his Real Madrid teammate Roberto Carlos, and AC Milan's Cafu, from the eight-team tournament.

Even so, 19 of his 23-man squad have just come off long gruelling European seasons. The Brazilians have played six games in 17 days, including two World Cup qualifying matches. That may explain their so-so play in the Confederations Cup.

Argentina is also tired. The Gauchos beat Mexico 1-1 on penalties on Sunday. So they have played 30 minutes more than Brazil, and go into the final with one fewer day of rest. Brazil won only one group game, beating Greece 3-0. Then came a 1-0 lost against Mexico, a 2-2 draw with Japan, and a 3-2 victory over Germany in Saturday's lacklustre semifinal.

Parreira is likely to stay with the attacking setup he has been using for the last six games. That means the Argentines will face the quartet of Adriano and Robinho in front of Kaka and Ronaldinho. The defensive formation may be changed. The defence's vulnerability, evident since earlier this year, has worried Brazilian fans. Emerson's visible fatigue in front of the back four may cost him his place.

Brazil is pursuing its second Confederations Cup title. In 1997 it thrashed Australia 6-0, then lost to Mexico in the final two years later.

Watch Brazil-Argentina live on Rogers Sportsnet at 2:30 pm ET Wednesday.

[Madferret]

Brazil beat Argentina 4-1 to win Confederations Cup

FRANKFURT(Reuters) - Brazil crushed arch-rivals Argentina 4-1 with a superb display of attacking football to add the Confederations Cup to their World Cup and Copa America titles on Wednesday.

Adriano led the world champions to a memorable victory with a blistering 11th minute shot and a 63rd minute header to make him the tournament's top scorer with five goals. Kaka, firing home in the 16th minute, and Ronaldinho, in the 47th, also got themselves on the scoresheet in Carlos Alberto Parreira's 100th match as Brazil coach.

Substitute Pablo Aimar scored a consolation goal for Argentina with a brave diving header after 65 minutes. After two weeks of blisteringly hot weather, the match was played as a thunderstorm raged around the Waldstadion, the pitch and spectators protected from the rain and lightning with the roof covers in place.

What a no-show effort by Argentina...

[J.R.]

The third place game was great this afternoon, with Mexico and Germany exchanging blows and a terrific pace. They went into extra time, where Germany won 4-3 in an exciting finish.

I was nearly sleeping in the second half of the championship game when the World Champions got up three - zero. Too bad. I'm still standing by my opinion that Argentina will be shocking in a good way at the 2006 World Cup.

Can't wait for about 350 days to pass. :D

[Madferret]

The third place game was great this afternoon, with Mexico and Germany exchanging blows and a terrific pace. They went into extra time, where Germany won 4-3 in an exciting finish.

Khan needs to either retire from the International Team and let Lehman take over Germany's goal, and if not, Klinnsman should leave him off the squad. Two of the Mexico goals were weak.

I'm still standing by my opinion that Argentina will be shocking in a good way at the 2006 World Cup.

If they get a bad Group draw Junes, the way the under-perform and mud play consisently in big games against big Countries or rivals, they are toast. Argentina folds at the slightest. Since at least when Batistuta arrived at WC94 they have always been one of the heavily favourites to win and done nothing but TANK when in big Games. Here's a pic of one of my favorite Argentina exits...

:D

http://www.infokids.com.hk/luitinshun/bergkamp.jpg

[J.R.]

they have always been one of the heavily favourites to win and done nothing but TANK when in big Games.Sounds like England's big tournament history. :curse:

But I do like the way Argentina was playing, prior to today, in World Cup qualifiers, the S.A. Championship and the Confederation's Cup. Perhaps I could slap the 'dark horse' label on them.

Speaking of the Netherlands, Dev, I like their chances in a year's time too. I wouldn't be surprised if they rolled into the quarters or even the semis. They were pretty strong at Euro '04 and they're very solid so far in the W.C. qualifying. I wouldn't want the English to draw them in the playoffs. A possible Oranje surprise in rival Germany?

[a4l]

T I'm still standing by my opinion that Argentina will be shocking in a good way at the 2006 World Cup.

Can't wait for about 350 days to pass. :D

I hope it doesn't involve The Hand of God. I still haven't forgiven them for that. :curse: http://www.iamviet.com/forum/images/smilies/smilie_nono.gifhttp://www.foroedonkey.com/vb/images/smilies/eusa_naughty.gif

[Madferret]

Sounds like England's big tournament history. :curse:

But I do like the way Argentina was playing, prior to today, in World Cup qualifiers, the S.A. Championship and the Confederation's Cup. Perhaps I could slap the 'dark horse' label on them.

Speaking of the Netherlands, Dev, I like their chances in a year's time too. I wouldn't be surprised if they rolled into the quarters or even the semis. They were pretty strong at Euro '04 and they're very solid so far in the W.C. qualifying. I wouldn't want the English to draw them in the playoffs. A possible Oranje surprise in rival Germany?

Again, it all depends on the Draw Junes. That's when you get to see who you think is the real dark horse based on their Groupings etc.
Imagine if France, Holland, England, and Argentina all got drawn into the same Group? Wait for the draw and you'll get a better idea, both schedule and Group wise, who you might think is a good dark horse.

As for Holland - if the Oranje continue their pace and qualify ahead of the Czechs for WC 2006, like Euro 2004, Euro 2000, WC 1998, they're a Top 4 finish.