Asamoah Gyan Strike Disappoints Rennes Mate Carlos Bocanegra

The Americans have been the comeback kids in the World Cup thus far. That's the manner in which they emerged top of Group C ahead of England. Going into a repeat match against Ghana, Landon Donovan and team have every reason to feel confident.

US captain, Bocanegra's friend and team mate, Asamoah Gyan steeled himself for the challenge by Bocanegra and then rode the tackle of Jay Demerit before rifling an unstoppable shot past Tim Howard. It was his third goal of the tournament and also his first from open play. Gyan's strike in extra time sends Ghana into the quarterfinals to face Uruguay. Ghana is bidding to become the first African side to feature in the semifinals and they look well capable of doing that.

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Group C Decided! Three Lions And USA Advance Comfortably

England and USA know that they needed to win their final matches. Anything less than three points will mean an early exit. The USA stuck with the players who had played so well in the previous two games. Bob Bradley's men are confident that they will beat the Algerians who are the weakest side in the group.

Michael Bradley signifies the growing confidence in the USMNT below,

"We have confidence in ourselves as a team, and as a player you want to play in the biggest games, where the spotlight comes on the brightest. I think there's going to be a real feeling of excitement on Wednesday. This is our time and we're ready to go. We'll give everything we have."

Capello said after a disappointing draw with Algeria that he did not recognize the England team that was on the pitch. The Three Lions must find their form quickly otherwise Slovenia will take advantage of any mental fragility. Jermain Defoe was drafted in for extra attacking option. Wayne Rooney is struggling for form in an England shirt.

England v. Slovenia
Matthew Upson stepped in for Jamie Carragher for this match. Fabio Capello for once, sat on his seat and was far less troubled than in England's previous two matches. This was definitely a much improved England performance with Defoe repaying the coach's faith by scoring the winner. Steven Gerrard again put in a captain's performance but could not get the goal his all-round play deserved. The Upson-Terry partnership for me is much better than Carra-Terry. Capello's worry that Upson's poor club form will translate to international form turned out to be unfounded. His late tackle as Dedic prepared to pull the trigger saved England from elimination.

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Slovenia Dents US World Cup Hopes

What an awesome match! Slovenia raced to a 2-0 lead by the end of the first half, United States came storming back to force a draw in the second. USA could have won the tie if Maurice Edu's goal had not been disallowed.

United States never say die attitude was evident throughout this match. Even though Slovenia had a 2-goal lead, they had never looked in control of the match. Dempsey, Donovan, Bradley and Altidore were the attacking threats and they worried the Green Dragons defence.

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Green's Unforgivable Slip Lets USA Off The Hook

England's first match in the 2010 World Cup started on a high note but unfortunately ended with a whimper and a disappointing draw. While watching the game, it was hard to not feel that there is a need for a world class second striker alongside Rooney.

As good as Emile Heskey is in linking up play, he cannot hit a barndoor, hence the dilemma facing Capello. I say sacrifice the link play with attacking potency. The option of playing Gerrard as the second striker off Rooney may prove a better attacking risk. Let's face it, scoring goals are what wins tournaments and therefore, it is crucial that England must find their scoring form soon. Otherwise, opposing teams like the USA will just crowd out Rooney and snuff out England's only scoring threat.

Gerrard marked his England captaincy in the World Cup with a well-taken goal. He was everywhere yesterday, trying his best to win the match for England. He covered the most distance (11 km) among the English players and was also most involved in the match with 451 seconds of high activity time.

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2010 World Cup Group C Head To Head

Group C pits England with unfamiliar foes. Apart from the United States, England have not played in a competitive match against Algeria or Slovenia. The unknown factor, nevertheless should not be seen as a disadvantage to England. In fact, Nadir Belhadj and Robert Koren are familiar faces in the English Premier League. The quality of the opposition would surely have been topmost on Capello's World Cup preparation.

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Loew Plans Assault On World Cup And Landon Donovan Talks Thrash!

German coach, Joachim Loew have named six strikers in Germany's provisional World Cup squad. This included the likes of Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose. There hasn't been a world-class striker in the German squad since Klinsmann. So the lack of quality may have to be compensated by the quantity. What I am wondering is why Kevin Kuranyi still not in Loew's plans.

These are the six players Loew have named for South Africa...

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The Growth Of Soccer In The United States

By Annette Lyndon - Guest Writer on The Flat Back Four

The 2010 South African FIFA World Cup is fast approaching. Fans from all over the globe will be flocking to South Africa to watch their countries compete. Excitement is building as the opening match approaches (June 11th). Football, or soccer (US), is the world’s sport, and mounting anticipation can only be expected. However a high level of enthusiasm is coming from an unlikely nation this year, the USA.

While sports are an integral part of American culture, soccer never really gained popularity as a primary spectator sport. For many years soccer was accepted as a popular team sport for youths and never caught on in the mainstream arena. But recently soccer has taken flight and is becoming more than recognized as part of the American sports lineup.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009 Group B: USA 2-2 Haiti

ESPN Soccernet has this report on a thrilling match between USA and Haiti.

Holden's strike keeps U.S. unbeaten in group play

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- The United States had just two minutes left to avoid its first loss ever in CONCACAF Gold Cup group play. Haiti was heading for its first win over an American team by since May 1969, when it won 1-0 in San Diego. Then Stuart Holden stepped up.

The Houston Dynamo midfielder sent a 25-foot shot past goalkeeper Jean Dominique Zephirin into the upper right corner in the first minute of second-half injury time, giving the United States a 2-2 tie Saturday night in its final first-round game.

Stuart Holden emotional after the equalising goal - Image from Reuters

"We were pushing the whole second half," said Holden, who also assisted on Davy Arnaud's goal in the sixth minute. "We kept knocking on the door and the chance fell to me." The Americans, seeking their third straight title in the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean, finished first in Group B and will play Jamaica or the third-place team in Group C next Saturday in Philadelphia.

The United States (2-0-1), which already had clinched advancement, improved to 23-0-2 in Gold Cup group play. The United States once again started a young lineup, with goalkeeper Luis Robles, and midfielders Sam Cronin and Colin Clark making their first international appearances. So did 32-year-old defender Jay Heaps, a member of the New England Revolution and veteran of 301 MLS games.

Six of the starting 11 made their first national team starts, with those four joined by forward Arnaud and defender Brad Evans.

"The experience of today will be something that they can draw from" the rest of the tournament, U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "You use these three games to gain experience. You use these three games to get confident. We use some of the things that happened today as reminders."

Haiti (1-1-1) finished third in the group round and also advanced. The two best of the three third-place teams move on. Haiti had taken the lead with goals in the first four minutes of the second half by Sirin Vaniel and Mones Chery.

"What an irony," Haiti coach Jairo Rios said. "The poorest country in the world against what could be considered the superpower of the world and they (the Haitians) could be able to hold themselves on the field, demonstrating the real passion for the game from the players."

Holden set up the first goal with a short pass to Arnaud, who gathered it in at the top of the penalty area, to the left of defender Frantz Bertin. Arnaud then rolled a soft shot with his left foot to the right of Zephirin, who came out of the net to try and cut down the angle.

"Goals give anybody confidence," said Arnaud, who plays for the Kansas City Wizards. "It was a good start, but more importantly, I'm part of the group now." The United States controlled play for the first 40 minutes before Haiti became more aggressive.

"Before the tournament started everybody thought that we were just going to come and make a fool out of ourselves," Rios said. Haiti nearly tied the game in injury time at the end of the first half. A crossing pass from the left side eluded Fabrice Noel just in front of Robles. But the ball continued on to Vaniel, who fired a shot that Robles managed to kick out with his knee. Vaniel got it back but shot the ball off the outside of the net.

The Haitians didn't miss their next two big chances.

In the first minute of the second half, Leonel Saint Preaux sent a crossing pass from near the right corner that soared over the outstretched right hand of Robles. Vaniel got to it before it hit the ground and headed it into the net. A poor judgment play by Robles led to the next goal. He left his net to try and get to a ball to his left. Before he reached it, the ball was passed out to Chery. Robles raced back to get in position, but Chery sent a 25-foot shot into the upper left corner as the goalkeeper was still running in that direction.

Trailing, the U.S. inserted Charlie Davies in the 73rd minute and Brian Ching in the 76th. "When you begin the tournament, the goal is to win your group and advance," Bradley said. "So the first thing that we said after the game is, `We've accomplished that goal."

Match Stats

				United States				Haiti
Shots on goal				5				5
Shots wide				8				2
Fouls				14				11
Corner Kicks				8				4
Offsides				0				7
Possession				53%				47%

Match Commentary

Minute		Description
90' +3		Full Time and an incredible end to this match, it's 2-2 and Haiti must be heartbroken. Although they have drawn this match a point will be enough to see them through to a quarter final.
90' +2		Holden with a magnificent strike, goal of the tournament. You couldn't make this up if you tried and it's 2-2. Aveska kicks the ball away from Brian Ching that falls to Holden and he unleashes an unstoppable shot past a despairing dive from Zephirin.
90' +1		Free kick to USA and Haiti defending well, 3 minutes of added time.
90'		S. Holden has scored a goal for United States!
88'		Haiti clinging on, a mad scramble in the Haiti box and once again they clear. It's back to wall time for Haiti as the USA pour forward.
85'		Free kick to USA, Zephirin punches clear and rebounds to Davies who controls with his chest, turns and shoots but it's cleared by Haiti.
84'		M. Sampeur enters the game and replaces L. Saint-Preux.
83'		Heaps with a cross and Brian Ching with a header that Zephirin gathers with ease.
82'		Free kick to Haiti to relieve some pressure.
81'		Ten minutes left and Haiti hanging on. USA with all the possession, Haiti reduced to long clearances.

Minute		Description
80'		K. Beckerman gets yellow.
		Beckerman pulls the Jersey of Saint-Preux and that's a yellow card.
79'		A. Thermeus enters the game and replaces F. Noel.
		Noel limps off as Thermeus comes on.
77'		B. Ching enters the game and replaces C. Clark.
76'		Holden out to Cronin and his left foot strike goes wide.
75'		The two teams have met 15 times with the Stars & Stripes winning six, Haiti five and six encounters ending in draws. So Haiti do have the USA's number.
74'		Corner to USA, Holden with the corner kick and it's cleared.
73'		Sirin is down getting the magic sponge treatment.
70'		The USA knocking on the door . Haiti looking a little fragile here.
69'		Aveska with an awful header back to his keeper and Davies sneaks in and his shot goes just wide.
68'		Clark with some work down the left flank and Holden has a glancing header that goes just wide, good stuff here from the USA.
66'		Corner to USA and Arnaud with a chance but his effort is deflected for a second corner kick. Holden with the corner and Haiti defend well.
65'		Free kick to Haiti on the half way line. Results in open play.
63'		C. Davies enters the game and replaces K. Cooper.
		K. Beckerman enters the game and replaces S. Quaranta.
62'		Gilles gets a cross in and the USA defend well, corner to Haiti and Marcelin has a weak effort that goes wide, goal kick to the USA.
58'		As we all draw a breath you have to hand it to Haiti, they are still harassing every USA player when they have possession. Their tails are up and it's great entertainment.
55'		Haiti is the last Caribbean team to defeat the Stars & Stripes on US Soil, 1:0 in San Diego, during the 1970 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying round.
52'		Haiti full value for their lead, an incredible match.
49'		M. Chery has scored a goal for Haiti!
		Incredible scenes here as Haiti continue to press forward, they score again as Heaps makes a bad clearance to Chery, he lets rip from 25-yards and it's in the top right hand corner, Robles is rooted to the spot and Haiti take a 2-1 lead.
46'		V. Sirin has scored a goal for Haiti! Great assist by L. Saint-Preux.
		Haiti get the second half underway. And Haiti have scored, Saint-Preux with a cross and Robles flaps at it and Sirin sneaks in at the back post and makes no mistake with a simple header.
45' +3		Haiti almost score at the death, Saint Preux crosses for Sirin who shoots and Robles makes a good save, the follow up shot goes out for a goal kick. A golden opportunity for Haiti to bring the scores level as the whistle goes for half time and it's 1-0 to the USA.
45'		Aveska heads out for a USA corner, Holden whips in the corner and Conrad heads just wide. 2 minutes of stoppage time.
43'		Corner to USA, cross comes in and Kenny Cooper rises to head the ball back across goal but it's a goal kick.
41'		Free kick to USA approximately 30-yards out, Quaranta wastes his delivery.
38'		Free kick to the USA, results in open play.
36'		Haiti pressing here for a goal.
31'		M. Parkhurst gets yellow.
		Parkhurst with a yellow bringing his opponent down just outside the area. Free kick to Haiti, Saint-Preux blazes it over the bar.
30'		Corner Haiti, headed away by the USA. A great game boiling up here.
29'		Back to the other end and Haiti almost score as Noel tries his luck from distance, Robles makes a hash of the catch and its heading toward the goal, Robles manages to get back push it away for a corner.
28'		Holden lets rip with a belter from a full 30-yards and hits the underside of the crossbar.
27'		D. Arnaud gets yellow.
		Yellow to Arnaud for tugging down Marcelin.
25'		Arnaud alone in the area, he chests it down but it gets away from him, goal kick.
23'		Cooper is pulled down in the area by Aveska, referee waves play on, corner kick. Heaps rises to head and it's over the bar.
20'		The finesse of the USA is being challenged by the precocious defending of Haiti. Some good strong challenges coming in from Haiti.
19'		These two countries have met before in CONCACAF Gold Cup action, you have to go back to the 2000 group stages when the USA cantered to a 3-0 victory over the ‘Les Grenadiers’
15'		Holden loses possession in his own half and Haiti put together a few good passes, sloppy play there from Holden.
13'		Free kick to Haiti, results in open play.
12'		The USA have their tails up while Cooper looks menacing down the right flank, goal kick to Haiti.
11'		Corner kick results in open play.
10'		Free kick to USA, Holden bends it in and it deflects for a corner.
9'		The USA is currently on an extraordinary run in this competition, they have won eleven consecutive games, a streak that stretches back to the 2005 Gold Cup.
8'		Free kick to USA, results in open play. A great start for the USA.
6'		D. Arnaud has scored a goal for United States! Great assist by S. Holden.
		USA have scored. Arnaud latches onto a through ball from Holden and slots past the despairing Zephirin.
5'		Haiti getting well forward in these opening exchanges.
4'		Clark lines one up and shoots from the edge of the area, it's too high and goes out for a goal kick.
3'		Corner kick to Haiti, Aveska with the cross and it goes out for another corner. Corner Kick comes in and Robles collects at the second attempt, nervous start for the USA.
2'		Free kick to Haiti after a high challenge from Cronin. Results in open play.
1'		USA get the first half underway. Your referee is Walter Quesada from Costa Rica and his assistants are Leonel Leal from Costa Rica and Ricardo Morgan from Jamaica. Your fourth official is Walter Lopez from Guatemala.
		Welcome to live commentary of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B encounter between USA and Haiti at the Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts. The USA have never lost a Gold Cup group stage match and have already qualified for the quarter final stages. Haiti is still right in this group, a win or a draw will guarantee them a place in the last eight, a loss and they have to wait on other results.

Match Commentary and Stats are shared from www.goldcup.org.

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009 Group B: USA 2-0 Honduras

US Men's National Team backup players, Santino Quaranta and Brian Ching scored four minutes apart late in the second half to lift the United States to a 2-0 victory over Honduras on Wednesday, putting the two-time defending champion on the verge of the Gold Cup quarterfinals.

Team List
USA
Coach: Bob Bradley
T. Perkins (GK), S. Cherundolo, C. Marshall, M. Parkhurst, H. Pearce, L. Pause (on B. Feilhaber 64'), K. Beckerman, R. Rogers, B. Ching (on K. Cooper 82'), S. Quaranta, F. Adu (on C. Davies 64')

Honduras
Coach: R. Rueda
D. Escober (GK), E. Norales, M. Acevedo, O. Chavez, N. Medina, C. Palacios, R. Espinoza (on. R. Padilla 72'), M. Valladares, C. Costly (on G. Welcome 79'), W. Martinez, M. Chavez (on A. Lalin 65')

Match Commentary

Minute		Description
90' +4		Full time and an outstanding result for the USA, that's six goals in two games and they look good for a quarter final spot.
90' +3		Free kick to Honduras, a two man wall for the USA and a Yellow for Martinez for hand ball in the area.
90' +2		Free kick to Honduras, a two man wall for the USA and a Yellow for Martinez for hand ball in the area.
90' +1		Corner to USA, results in open play. 3 minutes of added time.
90'		W. Martínez gets yellow.
		Free kick to the USA
89'		M. Parkhurst gets yellow.
		Yellow for Parkhurst for pulling the shirt of his opponent
86'		Corner kick to Honduras, results in open play. Cooper again has a good effort on goal which goes just wide of Escober's goal.
83'		The stars and stripes are flying high in the crowd, as Cooper has a snap shot in the area.
82'		K. Cooper enters the game and replaces B. Ching.
		Ching the goalscorer is substituted for Kenny Cooper. Two goals in four minutes and the USA are sailing away with this one, the Hondurans look a broken team.
79'		B. Ching has scored a goal for United States! Great assist by S. Cherundolo.
		G. Welcome enters the game and replaces C. Costly.
		Free kick to USA, the free kick is played square and Cherundolo crosses. Ching meets the cross with a powerful header, 2-0 to the USA.

Minute		Description
75'		S. Quaranta has scored a goal for United States! Great assist by C. Davies.
		Quaranta scores, and it's a beauty, some nice touches as Feilhaber finds Davies and his clinical pass into the path of Quaranta is a cracker and he unleashes an unstoppable shot to make the score 1-0.
71'		Davies almost scores as Escober makes a clearance that hits Davies, it almost rolls into the goal but Escober can pick up.
70'		R. Padilla enters the game and replaces R. Espinoza.
69'		Free kick to the USA, cross comes in and Ching heads way over.
67'		Martinez gets onto the end of a long ball but his volley is collected well by Perkins.
65'		A. Lalin enters the game and replaces M. Chávez.
		Corner to the USA, Bob Bradley, the USA coach, will be happy with this start to the second half, corner comes in from Rogers, results in open play.
64'		C. Davies enters the game and replaces F. Adu.
		B. Feilhaber enters the game and replaces L. Pause.
63'		Free kick to Honduras as the USA press forward.
60'		Corner to Honduras as Chavez comes back on. Corner results in open play.
58'		Chavez is down getting the magic sponge treatment. Meanwhile play continues with Honduras at ten men.
57'		Costly on a run into the area but Marshall does well to make the challenge and clear the danger.
55'		Rogers down the line, crosses deep and Palacios heads out for a corner. Corner kick comes in and Escober collects well.
54'		Just over a month ago these two nations met in a world cup qualifier which the USA won 2-1.
51'		Ching with a volley in the area, it's just behind him though and he doesn't get hold of it and it goes over the bar.
49'		Free kick to Honduras, Pause with a high challenge, free kick goes straight through to Perkins.
47'		Free kick to Honduras, results in open play.
46'		Honduras come out for the second half to a rousing welcome from the crowd as the USA get the second half underway. By the way your referee is Courtney Campbell from Jamaica and his assistants are Ricardo Morgan from Jamaica and Jose Luis Camargo from Mexico. Your fourth official is Walter Quesada from Costa Rica.
45' +2		Half time and a terrific first half from both teams. Honduras are just shading the possession stats and they look the more hungrier. Both countries have had good clear cut chances to open the scoring but it remains 0-0.
45'		Corner kick to USA, Adu with the kick and Ching gets called for a hand ball.
42'		Pulsating first half thus far, vocal crowd, all the ingredients for a corker of a match.
40'		H. Pearce gets yellow.
		Pearce with a yellow card for a tackle from behind on Chavez.
37'		N. Medina gets yellow.
		Free kick to the USA as Medina gets a yellow for shirt pulling. Quaranta with the cross and Rogers scuffs his kick, goal kick.
36'		Quaranta is flattened in the center of the field by Palacios, no free kick but he really took one for the USA there.
34'		Pearce with a cross and Adu with a free header in the area he heads downward but it's weak and Escober takes well. It's end to end stuff here.
33'		Free kick to Honduras in a dangerous position, cross comes in and Perkins takes with ease.
32'		Free kick to Honduras, results in open play.
31'		Corner to the USA, Adu takes and Ching was pushed off the ball, it falls to Cherundolo and he blazes over the bar.
30'		Martinez with a one on one with Perkins and he blasts his shot into the side netting. That really should have been 1-0 to Honduras.
27'		Rogers with some good work down the wing, results in a corner to the USA. Adu with the corner, results in a goal kick.
25'		The ‘Stars & Stripes' only have one disciplinary worry for tonight, Freddy Adu picked up a booking in their opening game, another one tonight and he sits out the game against Haiti.
24'		Honduras have two disciplinary worries for tonight’s encounter, defender Chavez and forward Lalin are walking the proverbial tightrope, a booking tonight and they will miss their final group game against Grenada.
22'		Beckerman with a fine through ball for Ching, he tries to chip the keeper and Honduras clear, that should have been 1-0.
21'		A clash in the USA area and Chavez is down. Honduras knocking on the door here.
19'		Martinez finds himself on the end of a perfect through ball, Perkins is quick off his line and manages to grab the ball off the feet of Martinez.
17'		A lot of shirt pulling in the area as Honduras press. The USA clear again, good game so far.
16'		Free kick to Honduras, results in open play.
14'		Rogers crosses for Quaranta, a difficult header which goes wide.
13'		Throw in to Honduras deep in the USA half, a lot of support in this stadium for 'Los Catrachos'.
12'		Free kick to the USA, Adu with the free kick and cleared by Honduras.
10'		The USA has the upper hand with the head to head statistics. These two have met three times previously in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the USA has won all three.
9'		Forward movement again by Honduras from Espinoza, Honduras look the busier of the two teams.
6'		Free kick to USA deep in their own half, results in open play. A good opening for Honduras.
3'		A beautiful day in Washington and we have game time temperatures around the 78 degree Fahrenheit mark.
2'		Martinez and Costly come close for Honduras.
1'		First half kicks off
		Welcome to live commentary of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B encounter between USA and Honduras at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C. The USA sit proudly on top of Group B after a clinical 4-0 win over Grenada, Honduras could only manage a slim 1-0 victory over Haiti, a victory tonight for either team will almost certainly cement their quarter final place.

Overall Match Stats

			United States			Honduras
Shots on goal			6			3
Shots wide			4			2
Fouls			12			12
Corner Kicks			9			2
Offsides			1			5
Possession			51%			49%

This report is shared from www.goldcup.org.

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009 Group B: USA 4-0 Grenada

By Dylan Butler

SEATTLE - Stuart Holden struck for one of two first-half goals to help lead the United States to a 4-0 win against Grenada on Saturday in both team's CONCACAF Group B opener in front of 15,387 fans at Qwest Field Saturday.

Freddy Adu, Robbie Rogers and Charlie Davies also scored for the Americans, who moved ahead of Honduras on goal difference after the opening day of group play. Los Catrachos edged a feisty Haitian side 1-0 in the first game of the doubleheader.

"Today it's important to start Gold Cup the right way," U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley said. "A lot of good things, a good team effort, four different guys scoring goals. All things I think are important as we start this tournament."

It took just seven minutes for the U.S. to go ahead as Adu scored his second career international goal. Rogers won the ball on the left side of midfield, dispossessing Ricky Charles and made a darting run into the box.

The Columbus Crew midfielder cut inside of his defender and laid the ball back to Adu, who beat Grenada goalkeeper Desmond Noel to his left from 12 yards.

"It was just great all-around play starting from (Rogers)," Adu said. "The goal was just there and all I had to do was finish it."

Charles attempted the equalizer, firing from distance, but his shot from 35 yards was just wide of the far post in the 15th minute.

Two minutes later, Rogers headed wide of the six-yard box and then took a pass from Adu and put a ball off the side netting. In the 22nd minute, Rogers again found some space down the left and served a perfect ball to Davies, who forced Noel into a difficult save.

Rogers again was the provider in the 31st, serving a perfectly weighted ball across the face of goal. Holden slipped past Grenada captain Anthony Modeste to beat Noel with a downward header inside the six-yard box to double the Americans' advantage.

"I was kind of overwhelmed when I scored," Holden said. "To score on my first cap, the whole experience and to get the victory first off was most important for us. If I can contribute to that, which I did, makes me feel happy."

Just prior to the goal, Holden attempted to set up Davies, but his cross went awry. Rogers collected the ball and served it back across where the young Houston Dynamo midfielder struck.

Rogers continued to terrorize the Spice Boyz, playing a perfect cross to Adu five minutes later, but Noel parried the header over the crossbar for a corner kick.

Rogers then switched roles and scored his first goal for the U.S. on the hour mark. Logan Pause slipped the ball through and Rogers pushed the ball past a helpless Noel to give the United States a 3-0 lead.

"Last time I played here, I think it was 30,000 people, all Sounders fans unfortunately," said Rogers, who was named man of the match. "To come out here and see all the American fans, it was a great experience."

Davies completed the scoring in the 68th with his third international goal. Marshall found Heath Pierce down the left and the 24-year-old fullback sent a one-time cross to Davies, who took a touch and beat Noel inside the far post.

"I just said to them in (the locker room), you're a big fish on your island, but you're a tadpole over here," Grenada coach Tommy Taylor said. "That's what they have to learn from…Welcome to the real world."

The group moves to Washington, where the United States and Honduras, the two favorites to move out of Group B, will clash after Haiti and Grenada meet in the opener of a doubleheader on Wednesday.

"We said at halftime there's a professional way to finish that game," Bradley said. "That involves having discipline, knowing how to respect the opponent, but at the same time making sure that in a good, smart, mature way you know how to finish the game."

Game Stats

				Grenada			United States
Shots on goal				1			11
Shots wide				1			7
Fouls				8			7
Corner Kicks				1			9
Offsides				1			1
Possession				43%			57%

From www.goldcup.org

Confederations Cup Final Match Report: Brazil 3 - 2 USA

Brazil came back from two goals down at half time to beat The United States 3-2 in the 2009 Confederations Cup final, which was played at the Coca Cola Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday night.

The entertaining final provided a fitting end to what has been a goal-filled ‘Festival of Champions', full of thrilling action and top class play by the world’s best footballers.

As the score-line suggests, it was very much a game of two halves as the Samba Boys struggled to find their rhythm in the first stanza, during which time they were duly punished by some ruthless play on the counter attack by Bob Bradley’s side.

The second half however was one way traffic – following Luis Fabiano’s goal 40 seconds after the restart, Brazil just kept coming at the US defence, which bowed to the pressure on a further two occasions.

Brazil were off to a positive start, earning several corners in the early stages and getting a number of crosses into the box, some of which were dealt with rather unconvincingly by the United States defenders.

However, with one of the few attacks they had, it was the US who took a surprise early lead when Jonathan Spector’s hopeful looking 10th minute ball from a fair distance out on the right found its way to Clint Dempsey, who improvised superbly, getting the faintest of touches to divert the ball just beyond the reach of Brazil goal keeper Julio Cesar.

Dempsey continues his hot run - Image from Associated Press

Brazil looked to hit back through Robinho two minutes later, but Tim Howard got down well to turn his low shot out for a corner kick. A Selecao had further chances through Felipe Melo and Maicon, but again Howard came up trumps, pulling off another two good saves. The initiative appeared to be with the Samba Boys, but in the 27th minute they were caught out with a classic counter-attack - Charlie Davies played an inch-perfect pass into Landon Donovan, whose first touch intelligently saw him evading the cover defence before sweeping the ball beyond Cesar from 18-yards out with his left foot.

Donovan gets his just rewards with his goal - Image from Associated Press

Brazil finished the half the stronger side, but could never really get into good enough positions in front of goal to overly trouble Howard. When he was tested, by the likes of Andre Santos and Robinho, the Everton goalkeeper again proved to be on top of his game. Brazil did almost manage to pull a goal back just before the break when Maicon flashed the ball across goal. Fabiano was inches away from getting on the end of the cross, but it had taken a crucial touch off the foot of American defender Carlos Bocanegra.

The complexion of the game changed dramatically just 40 seconds after the restart when Fabiano received the ball with his back to goal, took one touch, swivelled, and then picked out the bottom corner of the net, giving Howard no chance. The pressure continued to mount from the team in yellow and in the 58th minute Howard had to pull off a superb save to stop Lucio heading home a corner kick. The rebound fell to Gilberto Silva, whose close range shot deflected off Spector and over the cross bar.

Two minutes later Brazil came even closer when Kaka’s back-post header was pushed off the line by Howard onto the underside of the crossbar and back into play – replays suggested that the ball may have crossed the line. There was a brief respite for the States when Dempsey’s well-struck shot forced Cesar into conceding a corner.

But Brazil were soon back on the offensive and in the 70th minute Fabiano was put through on goal and looked set to level the match, but Howard moved off his line with blistering speed to make a wonderful close range block. The pressure finally paid off for Dunga’s side in the 74th minute when Fabiano headed home from close range after Robinho had blasted Kaka’s cross into the crossbar from only six yards out.

Fabiano equalises! - Getty Images

The come-from-behind win was completed five minutes from time when Elano’s corner kick was powered home via the head of skipper Lucio, the ball hitting the inside of the upright before ending up in the back of the net.

Joy for Brazil, Heartbreak for USA - Image from Associated Press

TEAMS
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Luisao, Andre Santos (Daniel Alves 67'), Felipe Melo, Gilberto Silva, Ramires (Elano 67'), Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano

USA: Tim Howard, Jonathan Spector, Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Benny Feilhaber (Jonathan Bornstein 74'), Ricardo Clark (Connor Casey 88'), Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies, Jozy Altidore (Kleystan 74')

Brazil celebrates the thrilling comeback win - Image from Reuters

This report is featured at MTNFootball.

Confederations Cup Semifinal Match Report: Spain 0 - 2 USA

A match report as seen through the eyes of a football fan in South Africa.

Feilhaber rejoices - Image from Reuters

Spain had not lost a match since November 2006. They were on a record breaking 15 match winning streak. They had not conceded a single goal during this Fifa Confederations Cup.

These were some of the facts that were rolling off the commentators tongue prior to kick-off, but after another amazing 90 minutes of soccer, the US Men's National team turned world football on it's head yet again when they defeated the mighty Spain 2-0 at Bloemfontein Stadium to advance to Sunday's final.

Tonight we witnessed a truly brilliant team performance from USA, the team who after two matches in Group B had 0 points and a goal difference of -5 somehow defied the odds to beat the unbeatable.

Coach Bob Bradley's men made their intentions clear early in the match as they tried to show Spain that they wouldn't be content with just defending. Clint Davies had the first chance when he attempted an overhead kick from inside the box but his effort went narrowly wide.

Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan both tested Casilla's with efforts from distance as the Eagles got off to a bright start despite trailing Spain in terms of possession.

Torres had Spain's first attempt on goal when Fabregas squared the ball to him, but with too much pace on the cross and an awkward angle Torres could only blast the ball into the crowd for a goal-kick.

Big Jozy Altidore scoring US 1st goal - Image from Associated Press

It was however in the 26th minute that the game turned on its head. Villarreal's 19 year old striker Jozy Altidore received a pass from Landon Donovan and the powerful striker expertly shrugged off the challenge from Joan Capdevilla before firing an unstoppable shot at Casilla's, who got a strong hand to it but still failed to keep it out.

1-0 to America and you could sense an upset was on the cards. For large parts of the rest of the match it was all about USA hanging on for dear life as the Spanish hit them with everything in their locker, but USA defended brilliantly, Jay DeMerit starring at the back with a serious of last ditch tackles and vital blocks which kept their 1 goal lead safe going into the break.

Spain emerged from the break determined to pull a goal back and probably would have were it not for a series of fine saves from Tim Howard and more goal saving tackles from DeMerit. You could sense that Spain were starting to get frustrated as they pressed forward with attack after attack, and 20 minutes from full-time the USA punished them with a goal from nowhere on the counter.

Clint Dempsey scores to kill Spain's hopes of equalising - Image from Reuters

Landon Donovan was the creator again , this time playing an inviting cross into the path of Clint Dempsey who was lurking at the far post. Sergio Ramos managed to get to the ball first but he failed to clear the danger and Dempsey capitalized on his slip up to make it 2-0 to the USA.

Spain were now visibly shocked and you you could see that the USA would win this one, even though they lost Michael Bradley in the dying moments of the match after the midfielder was shown a straight red for a two footed challenge.The Eagles held on for a memorable win that will see them taking on either Brazil or South Africa in Sunday's final.

This report is featured at SA Football Fans.

Confederations Cup Match Report: USA 3 - 0 Egypt

USA Completes Magical Comeback to Move into Semifinals!

Dempsey scores and Donovan celebrates! - Image from Associated Press

This is a fan's perspective on the match:

The USA pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in recent history when they booked their place in the Semi-Finals after beating African Champions Egypt by three goals to nil on Sunday evening in Rustenburg.

It was clear that Group B was wide open but nobody expected the USA to go through to the semi-finals after losing their first their first two matches 3-1 and 3-0. They started the day bottom of Group B, with a goal difference of -5 compared to second placed Italy who had a goal difference of +1. Which effectively meant that USA had to overcome a 6 goal deficit to advance to the semi finals, impossible?

Brazil started the match against Italy in a determined mood and were 3-0 up at the break thanks to great finishes from Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano and an own goal from Liverpool's Andrea Dossena on the stroke of half-time. This basically meant that Egypt would be advancing if they could avoid defeat by more than 1 goal against USA.

Roger de Sa jokingly said before kick-off that the Americans had already packed their bags but he couldn't have been more wrong! Charlie Davies handed the Eagles a 1 goal lead at the break when he found the back of the net in the 22nd minute. Michael Bradley doubled their lead on the hour mark after playing a neat one-two with Landon Donovan to send the group wide open! As it stood Italy was now going through instead of Egypt!

Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey then completed one of the greatest comebacks in a Fifa Tournament when he made it 3-0 to the USA, heading home Jonathan Spector's excellent cross. This meant that if things stayed the same the USA would go through by virtue of having scored 1 goal more than Italy who they were level with on goal difference of -2.

After 90 minutes both games ended 3 - 0, which secured the USA the most unlikely of escapes as they advance to the semi-finals alongside Brazil. Brilliant night of action in what has proved to be a great Confederations Cup thus far. Well done to USA for showing great fighting spirit.

Semi Finals now look like this:
Brazil v South Africa
Spain v USA

After tonights results I wouldn't bet against a South Africa vs USA final!



This report is featured at SA Football Fans.

Confederations Cup Match Report: Brazil 3 - 0 USA

Felipe Melo heading past the hapless Tim Howard - image from Associated Press

The United States became the first casualties of the 2009 Confederations Cup – a 3-0 defeat to an improved Brazilian side at the Loftus Stadium on Thursday afternoon confirming their first round exit. With six points from two games, the result guarantees Brazil their place in the semi-finals.

Brazil were in control of the game pretty much from the word go, settling into their rhythm and never allowing the Americans to get out of their blocks. An early goal was important for the South American side in helping to put memories of their shaky opening game against Egypt to rest.

And this was duly achieved, the opening goal coming after only six minutes as Maicon delivered a world-class free kick from the right, giving Felipe Melo the opportunity to rise high above the defence and power a header past Tim Howard, who had remained motionless on his line.

There was no sitting back after the restart for Dunga’s men and a second soon arrived.

The goal had its origins in a rare USA attack – after DaMarcus Beasley had lost the ball in the Brazilian box, a counter attack of clinical simplicity saw the ball being transported up field through Kaka and Ramires in seconds, resulting in Robinho finishing with a comfortably with a low shot from 12-yards out.

At 2-0 down after 20 minutes, the US side desperately needed to muster a reply, but they found it tough going against a Brazil side who dominated possession and played the game at their own pace. It was thus no surprise that it was Brazil who had the next chance as Kaka went on a typical surging 40-yard run, leaving several players in his wake...{Read more about if Kaka scored}

This report is featured at MTN Football.

Confederations Cup Match Report: Italy 3 - 1 USA

image from Associated Press

World Champions Italy came back from a goal down to beat a spirited 10 man USA side by three goals to one in another great game of football at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria Stadium on Monday night. The crowd were once again amazing with a very cosmopolitan turn out of black, white, Indian, American and even Asian fans all joining together in celebration of the beautiful game.

The game itself turned out to be a great spectacle with both teams making their intentions clear from the kick-off. Italian centre back Nicola Legrottaglie had the first real chance of match when he found himself with a free header inside the box from a set-piece but the defender failed to hit the target as his effort went wide of the goal. The USA then had a great chance.

The USA then had a great chance to open the scoring through Michael Bradley who created some space for himself but with only Gianluigi Buffon to beat the midfielder fired in a tame shot which Buffon comfortably saved. Moments later Jozy Altidore failed to score from a similar position to the one Bradley found him in, but the big striker scuffed his shot which allowed Buffon to make another easy save. This was clearly not going to be a goalless game.

The match was then turned on its head when the referee gave Ricardo Clark a red card for a foolish lunge on Genarro Gattuso. It was a very harsh decision from the referee...{Read about this fantastic game}

This report is featured at SA Football Fans

South Africa 2009: Confederations Cup Preview

The FIFA Confederations Cup is a tournament for national teams, currently held every four years by FIFA. It is contested by the winners of each of the six FIFA confederation championships (CAF, CONMEBOL, UEFA, AFC, OFC, CONCACAF), along with the FIFA World Cup winner and the host country.

This year, the Confed Cup will be held in South Africa - sort of a sneak preview of what's to come in the soon approaching 2010 World Cup Finals. This tournament will start on June 14th and end with the final on June 28th 2009.

Group A
Spain (UEFA European champions)

Coach: Vicente Del Bosque
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Jose Reina, Diego Lopez
Defenders: Raul Albiol, Alvaro Arbeloa, Joan Capdevila, Carlos Marchena, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Sergi Busquets, Santi Cazorla, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Pablo Hernandez, David Silva, Juan Manuel Mata, Albert Riera
Forwards: Daniel Guiza, Fernando Llorente, Fernando Torres, David Villa

Probable starting formation:

(GK) Casillas — (D) Ramos, Pique, Marchena, Capdevila — (M) Alonso, Silva, Xavi, Fabregas — (F) Torres, Villa

Current FIFA Ranking: 1

Strengths:
Spain has strength, quality and depth in their squad. Virtually any player in the 23-man squad can be thrust into the team and will do well. Del Bosque has enough quality in this squad to field two similar strength teams. The confidence of this squad is well high right now having won the European championships. It is a team that has played together for two years now and so the players know each other's game very well.

Weaknesses:
No glaring weaknesses. A hint of the Arsenal about Spain i.e. because they are so good, there is that tendency to want to walk the ball into the net. Midfield is lightweight so opposition may want to stop the Spanish midfield by deploying a spoiler's game in the middle of the park.

Player to Watch: Xavi, Cesc Fabregas

Tournament Prospects:
Vicente Del Bosque and Spain have not lost a match since the 2008 European championships. Del Bosque have already stated that "we are here to win" and the confidence is sky high. An easy group A means that Spain will top this group and will face either Brazil or Italy in the semifinal. Spain will be favourites to win this tournament.

The Fans:

Iraq (AFC Asian champions)

Coach: Bora Milutinovic
Goalkeepers: Mohammed Kasid, Nour Sabri, Uday Talib
Defenders: Basim Abbas, Muayad Khalid, Isam Yaseen, Samir Saeed, Farid Majeed, Salam Shaker, Ali Hussein Rahema, Mohammed Ali Karim, Dara Mohammed Habeeb
Midfielders: Halgurd Mulla Mohammed, Mahdi Karim, Nashat Akram, Hawar Mulla Mohammed, Abdul-Wahab Abu Al-Hail, Salih Sadir
Forwards: Karrar Jassim, Emad Mohammed, Alaa Abdul-Zahra, Younis Mahmoud, Luai Salah

Current FIFA Ranking: 77

Strengths:
Although relatively inexperienced in the international arena, this Iraq team makes up for it through the experience of their Serbian coach. The core of this team have remained the same since they won the Asian Youth championship. As with Spain, these players are very familiar with the way each other like to play. Iraq plays well when the trio of Nashat Akram, Younis Mahmoud and Emad Mohammad combine well.

Weaknesses:
They may have won the 2007 Asian Nations Cup but they will not be representing Asia in the 2010 World Cup. The confidence is not high, they have not performed well since that unexpected Asian Nation Cup win in Malaysia.

Player to Watch: Nashat Akram

Tournament Prospects:
Cannon fodder for the Spanish Machine, may beat South Africa and will get 3 points against New Zealand.

The Fans:

New Zealand (OFC Oceania champions)

Coach: Ricki Herbert
Goalkeepers: James Bannatyne, Glen Moss, Mark Pasto
Defenders: Andrew Boyens, Tony Lochhead, David Mulligan, Steven Old, Aaron Scott, Ben Sigmund, Ivan Vicelich
Midfielders: Andy Barron, Leo Bertos, Tim Brown, Jeremy Christie, Simon Elliott, Chris James, Duncan Oughton
Forwards: Kris Bright, Jeremy Brockie, Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz, Jarrod Smith, Chris Wood

Probable starting formation:

(GK) Paston — (D) Mulligan, Lochhead, Old, Sigmund — (M) Elliott, Oughton, Brown, James — (F) Smeltz, Killen

Current FIFA Ranking: 82

Strengths:
The strike partnership of Chris Killen and Shane Smeltz have produced 25 goals for the national team. The duo are arguably the two best players in this Kiwi side. They will be looked upon to drive the team forward in this competition.

Weaknesses:
New Zealand lack world class players and so will look to build on team experience here. They will use this tournament to prepare for the World Cup play-off with the fifth best Asian nation. The loss of the excellent Ryan Nelsen will not help the Kiwi's cause or hopes.

Player to Watch: Shane Smeltz, Leo Bertos

Tournament Prospects:
No chance and no points in this tournament.

The Fans:

South Africa (Host country)

Coach: Joel Santana
Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi, Itumeleng Khune, Rowen Fernandez
Defenders: Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa, Morgan Gould, Tsepo Masilela, Aaron Mokoena, Bryce Moon, Bongani Khumalo
Midfielders: Lance Davids, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Teko Modise, Steven Pienaar, Macbeth Sibaya, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Benson Mhlongo, Elrio van Heerden, Innocent Mdledle
Strikers: Bernard Parker, Katlego Mphela, Thembinkosi Fanteni, Katlego Mashego

Probable starting formation:

(GK) Baloyi - (D) Masilela , Moon, Booth, Gaxa - (M) Modise, Mokoena, Pienaar, Sibaya - (F) Mashego, Mphela

Current FIFA Ranking: 72

Strengths:
South Africa will have home ground advantage for this tournament. The fans will definitely get behind the team and spur them on. The team can rely on Steven Pienaar's industry and hard running in midfield, giving them a creative outlet. Aaron Mokoena provides protection for the back four by breaking up opposition plays in midfield with his tough tackling and physical style.

Weaknesses:
Not recalling Benni McCarthy leaves the South Africans short of attacking options. There is no recognised striker within the team squad. Goals may be hard to come by.

Player to Watch: Steven Pienaar

Tournament Prospects:
Being in the easier group A will surely help the Bafana Bafana. Joel Santana will want to use this tournament to prepare and assess his squad's capability for the 2010 World Cup. The team has the quality to beat New Zealand and Iraq to finish second and qualify for the semifinals. That's when the journey ends for South Africa. Unless witchcraft is used....

The Fans:



Group B
Brazil (CONMEBOL South American champions)

Coach: Carlos Dunga
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar, Victor, Heurelho Gomes
Defenders: Maicon, Daniel Alves, Alex, Juan, Lucio, Luisao, Kleber, Andre Santos
Midfielders: Anderson, Gilberto Silva, Josue, Ramires, Elano, Felipe Melo, Julio Baptista, Kaka
Forwards: Alexandre Pato, Luis Fabiano, Nilmar, Robinho

Probable starting formation:

(GK) Cesar — (D) Maicon, Juan, Lucio, Alves — (M) Kaka, Silva, Baptisa, Elano — (F) Pato, Robinho

Current FIFA Ranking: 5

Strengths:
A squad which has quality, strength, skill and depth. Like Del Bosque, Dunga has a squad in which he could field two teams capable of winning the Confederations Cup. That's the level of strength that Brazil possesses. For once, goalkeeping is no longer a weakness with the formidable Julio Cesar in goal. Defence is solid and physical. The team is packed with creativity and flair both in midfield and in attack. A magical team.

Weaknesses:
Overconfidence is a worry for Brazil. No doubt, they can beat anyone on paper but it's about getting it done on the pitch as well.

Player to Watch: Alexandre Pato

Tournament Prospects:
Need to fight it out with Italy for the group B leadership. Semifinalist for sure but may not be able to beat the Spaniards. Losing finalists this time around. At least the fans will enjoy a dream final - Brazil vs. Spain.

The Fans:




Italy (World champions)

Coach: Marcello Lippi
Goalkeepers: Amelia, Buffon, De Sanctis
Defenders: Cannavaro, Chiellini, Zambrotta, Dossena, Legrottaglie, Gamberini, Grosso, Santon
Midfielders: Camoranesi, De Rossi, Pirlo, Gattuso, Montolivo, Palombo
Forwards: Gilardino, Iaquinta, Pepe, Quagliarella, Toni, Rossi

Probable starting formation:

(GK) Buffon — (D) Cannavaro, Chiellini, Zambrotta, Grosso — (M) Camoranesi, De Rossi, Pirlo — (F) Quagliarella, Toni, Gilardino

Current FIFA Ranking: 4

Strengths:
An Italian squad filled with experience and world class talent. This team know how to shut out a team, stifle an opposition's creativity and win a game the Catenacchio style. Strong at the back, creative and tough to get past in midfield and sharpness in attack. All these are hallmarks of a tactically well organised Italian side.

Weaknesses:
Lippi takes with him an aging squad for this competition. A better option for him was to inject some youthfulness into the team. Athleticism and mobility are areas lacking in this Italian squad.

Player to Watch: Giorgio Chiellini

Tournament Prospects:
A first-time semifinal appearance for the Italians in South Africa. Will have to negotiate past the unpredictability of Egypt and the athleticism of USA.

The Fans:

USA (CONCACAF North American champions)
Coach: Bob Bradley
Goalkeepers: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Luis Robles
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Jonathan Bornstein, Marvell Wynne, Jay DeMerit, Danny Califf, Heath Pearce
Midfielders: Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Sacha Kljestan, Jose Francisco Torres, Benny Feilhaber, Ricardo Clark, DaMarcus Beasley, Freddy Adu
Forwards: Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, Conor Casey, Charlie Davies

Probable starting formation:

(GK) Howard — (D) Hejduk, Bocanegra, Onyewu, Pearce — (M) Bradley, Beasley, Kljestan, Dempsey — (F) Ching, Donovan

Current FIFA Ranking: 14

Strengths:
Bob Bradley have forged a team with defensive solidity marshalled by the excellent Tim Howard in goal. Midfield will be infused with discipline and positional responsibilities. Freddie Adu's brilliance on the ball can make a difference in tight matches. Athleticism, stamina and endurance are the key qualities of this USA team.

Weaknesses:
This is a USA team that will work hard and chase every ball. Unfortunately at the highest level of international football, a creative spark is required. The Americans do not have this creative or unpredictability element in their ranks.

Player to Watch: Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley

Tournament Prospects:
USA should not be expected to shake up the competition. They have traditionally performed well in the Confed Cup but this will not be the same. Third placing in the group could be a possibility.

The Fans:

Eqypt (CAF African champions)
Coach: Hassan Shehata
Goalkeepers: Essam Al Hadari, Abdul Wahed Al Sayed Mohamed Sobhi, Al Hani Soliman
Defenders: Hani Said, Mahmoud Fathallah, Wael Gomaa, Sherif Abdul Fadhil, Ahmed Said, Ahmed Al Muhammadi, Sayed Moawad, Hazem Emam, Ahmed Samir Farag
Midfielders: Ahmed Fathi, Mohamed Shawki, Hosni Abd Rabu, Ahmed Khairy, Mohamed Soliman, Abdul Aziz Tawfiq, Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Aboutrika
Forwards: Ahmed Eid, Mohamed Zidan, Mohamed Abougreisha, Ahmed Abdul Ghani, Ahmed Raouf, Ihab Al Masri, Amr Zaki

Probable starting formation:
(GK) Al Hadari - (D) Al Muhammadi, Moawad, Said, Gomaa - (M) Fathi, Hassan, Shawki, Aboutrika - (F) Zaki, Zidan

Current FIFA Ranking: 40

Strengths:
A very talented Egyptian side combining youth and experience. The Egyptians are familiar with this tournament and will have the desire to prove that they are more than just confederations winners. There are a number of European-based Egyptians in this squad, they will be expected to use their big-game experience to inspire the team.

Weaknesses:
Due to behavioural problems, Mido was omitted from this squad. Egypt's attack is greatly diminished without Mido. Amr Zaki will be asked to shoulder a lot more responsibility which may reduce his goal scoring abilities.

Player to Watch: Mohamed Zidan

Tournament Prospects:
Unpredictable. A giant in African football but hardly produce the goods on the world stage. Will be challenging for the group third placing with USA.

The Fans:

TheFlatBackFour prediction:
Winner: Spain
Runners-up: Brazil
Third Place: Italy
Semifinalist: South Africa