The Final Countdown

Todays the day then. The biggest moneyspinner in football history starts and it would be good if the World Cup kicked off with a shock win for Costa Rica just to throw the predictions into disarray and make everyone sit up and take notice. Somehow I cannot see that happening but you can live in hope. Having put my neck on the block with Group predictions, here is how I see the rest of the tournament panning out:

2nd Round winners

England
Germany
Argentina
France
Italy
Brazil
Spain
Holland

Quarter Final winners

England
Brazil
Argentina
Italy

Semi Final winners

England
Argentina

Final

England 2 - 1 Argentina

FIFA have announced that their Conference has mandated a cut in the number of top flight clubs in each country, setting the level at eighteen teams. This means that Spain, France, Italy and England have to lose two teams. Not that this is for the good of the game; no it is to free up four more dates for the International Calendar. Understandably the Premier League are not happy. Spokesman Dan Johnson said, "The only people who are going to tell us how to run the Premier League are the league's 20 member clubs' chairmen. They are the only ones who can change the composition of the league and they are just not going to go for this - no way."

What is mystifying is that he actually believes this to be true. Message for Mr Johnson and his "crew". If FIFA dictate that there is to be a cut, then the Premier League loses two teams. You may not like the rationale, and I don't on this occasion, but it will happen. Unless of course, the Premier League are going to pick the mother of all fights with FIFA. Should this happen, then expect all manner of punishments to be threatened by the ruling body. But this proposal troubles me. FIFA serve the game as a whole and are expected to ensure it flourishes at all levels. Replacing four league matches with four internationals does not achieve this. Indeed, I would question whether there is an appetite from supporters for watching four more international matches, particularly if these were friendlies. It is hard to see what else they will be as the World Cup in European terms is already crowded unless of course, young Mr Blatter is planning to dump two European places from the next tournament and hand them off to Asia / South America or Africa. Then the structure of the European Qualifying tournament would have to change with either larger groups or a smaller number of Play-Off places.

If UEFA chime in on the side of FIFA, then expect to hear about expansion of the Champions League. It is little wonder that the clubs do not want less League Games. The key bartering point is going to be payments to players whilst on International duty. If four more dates are added at International level, then FIFA may well find itself railroaded into agreeing a sum per international, possibly at 75% of the players salary. Can the Ivory Coast afford the cash for all of their European based internationals wages? What happens if an FA fails to pay the clubs? Will they stop their players representing their countries until bills are settled? This is a row waiting to happen.

Football Rumours are always good fun especially the ones that sound like they will improve Arsenal's defence. So St Etienne's interest in Pascal Cygan is good news...

Todays Tunes come courtesy of Jennings at rbally, a marvellous mp3 blog. Below are two tracks from Matthew's Celebrity Pixies Covers. These were my favourites from his myspace page:

The Bee Gees - Wave Of Mutilation

Frank Sinatra - This Monkey's Gone To Heaven

World Cup Countdown (Part Eight)

The final part of the preview of the Group stages sets its sights on Group H.

Favourites will be Spain which is nothing unusual for them. What would be out of character would be for them to actually live up to the expectations placed upon them. Their historical performances in qualifying are impressive, this time round it was different with the Spaniards having to come through the Play-Offs, something that was comfortably achieved with a 6 - 2 aggregate win over Slovenia. On the back of a 20 + game unbeaten run, there is little for the Spanish to fear in this Group. In goal, anyone of their three keepers could play without diminishing this aspect of the team, Casillas, Canizares and Reina are all dependable with Casillas probably edging out Reina for top slot. Defensively, I am unconvinced by Ramos as a centre half but as right back, he could be an improvement. Puyol and Ibanez would appear to be the choice of Centre Halves although Ramos could shift across. With Del Horno's injury, the highly thought of Pernia has the chance to prove himself. Midfield ought to be orchestrated by Fabregas, the pick of the Arsenal youngsters. For defensive cover, I would expect Xabi Alonso to get the nod over Senna despite the latters decent form this season. One way to accommodate both would be to move Fabregas to the right with Reyes on the left. Up front, Raul is still untouchable. Having scored his first goal in eight months against Egypt, he will be hoping to erase the memories of an indifferent couple of seasons. This leaves one place and it will be interesting to see who Aragones picks. Does he go for Torres, apparently now staying at Atletico, or the in-form David Villa, the highest scoring Spaniard in La Liga during 2005-06.

Ukraine are coached by the only MP who will not be relying on McDonald's to provide his accommodation or flights to Germany. Oleg Blokhin, former European Footballer of the Year, has a young squad to choose from, the starting XI will be even younger now that Shust is likely to start in goal. Shevchenko will carry the weight of a nation on his shoulders but Voronin is a dangerous partner / alternative. Much touted Tymoschuk may get the chance to show why all bar none of the top four in England are supposed to be interested in his services. It is the lack of experience that is likely to do for the Ukranians although second place should be comfortably achieved in this Group.

Tunisia are a consistent team, reasonably solid yet I do not expect much from them. Looking at the squad prior to the recent bout of warm-up matches, there is one glaring problem, the absence of goalscorers - of the eleven players who have scored for the national team, only six have more than one goal to their name. Compare this with Shevchenko, and it should be the first plane home for the Africans.

Saudi Arabia - oh dear, what positives can one say? 1994's Second Round appearance seems to be so long ago; 2002's 0 - 8 humilation at the hands of Germany by contrast is fresh. Of the two, the latter is more likely. Just thought of the positive - the only other team apart from Italy where the whole squad plays in their native land.

Predicted Results

Spain	2	-	1	Ukraine
Saudi Arabia	0	-	2	Tunisia
Ukraine	4	-	0	Saudi Arabia
Tunisia	1	-	3	Spain
Spain	6	-	0	Saudi Arabia
Tunisia	1	-	2	Ukraine

Predicted Table

	Pl.	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts.
Spain	3	3	0	0	11	2	+ 9	9
Ukraine	3	2	1	0	7	3	+ 4	6
Tunisia	3	1	0	2	4	5	- 1	3
Saudi Arabia	3	0	0	3	1	6	- 5	0

Arsenal Players in Group

Cesc Fabregas (Spain)
Jose Antonio Reyes (Spain)

Players that Arsenal should sign

None

Todays Tunes are from Big Country, three live tracks from Wembley in June 1987. Ironically enough that is the first venue I saw them, supporting The Jam in December 1982.

Where The Rose Is Sown

Just A Shadow

In A Big Country

Fields Of Fire

World Cup Countdown (Part Seven)

Group G has one genuine world - class team with two average teams and one rank outsider.

Togo are making their debut in the World Cup Finals and it will not be a long stay, ending in the first phase. Unfortunately for them, they have landed one of the trickier Groups to negotiate. Add to that the internal ructions, seemingly led by Adebayour, that resulted in the replacement of their Coach less than three months before the start of the tournament. Topping the Qualifying Group that contained Senegal was no mean feat, Adebayour scoring ten goals en route to the Finals. That said, a truly horrid African Nations Cup tournament will have done nothing for their confidence, probably putting paid to a repetition of the strife over bonuses this time round. Anything in excess of "nil point" should be considered a good result.

South Korea made more than a decent fist of things on their home turf last time out and have been building solidly ever since. Having put paid to Southern Europe's challenge in 2002, the Koreans should be quietly confident of progressing out of the Group stage this time around, a close tussle with the Swiss could be the deciding game. Dick Advocaat is an experienced coach who has a proven record of getting teams to gel whilst the two Premiership players Park ji-Sung and Lee young-Pyo have gained useful experience with their clubs this season.

Switzerland remind me in many ways of Jack Charlton's Republic of Ireland team from the 1980's in that they are well aware of the fact that they are not the most skilful team in the world but they work hard for each other and play to their strengths. Phillipe Senderos has reserved some of his best performances this season for his country and in Alexander Frei they have a decent forward, capable of troubling the best defences. Tranquillo Barnetta is a creative midfielder upon whose shoulders much will rest whilst Johann Vogel is a solid anchor in the middle of the park.

And so to Group favourites France. In Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Djibril Cisse and Louis Saha they can have one of the most potent strikeforces in the competition. Add to that a regular contribution from Sylvain Wiltord and the French should have no problems scoring goals. Indeed that is what was expected last time out but then the team imploded, failing to hit the back of the net once and on their way home in shame, posting the worst defence of the World Cup by the winners in history. So 2006 offers them a route for redemption. There is an unrivalled depth of experience in the French squad with many members of their successful 1998 and 2000 campaigns still intact yet this season has seen a dip in form from some of their key players. Since Christmas Vieira has looked a pale shadow of himself whilst Zidane has only recently returned to form, at the tail end of his career in football. Perhaps a weight has been lifted following his decision to call it quits. Other concerns must be about Boumsong's comedy defending at Newcastle and in goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, they are always liable to concede due to what can be politely described as a mishap. It will also be interesting to see the much touted Frank Ribery in action, to see if the hype is backed up by talent. Do not rule them out from getting to the last four but should they be awarded a penalty, I would advise all players to keep clear of Zidane lest he repeat his party trick from the England match during Euro 2004.

Predicted Results

South Korea	1	-	0	Togo
France	2	-	1	Switzerland
France	2	-	0	South Korea
Togo	0	-	2	Switzerland
Togo	1	-	3	France
Switzerland	1	-	1	South Korea

Predicted Table

	Pl.	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts.
France	3	3	0	0	7	2	+ 5	9
Switzerland	3	1	1	1	4	3	+ 1	4
South Korea	3	1	1	1	2	3	- 1	4
Togo	3	0	0	3	1	6	- 5	0

Arsenal Players in the Group

Thierry Henry (France)
Phillipe Senderos (Switzerland)
Johan Djourou (Switzerland)
Emmanuel Adebayour (Togo)

Todays Tunes are from The Undertones, two live tracks from Amsterdam in 1980.

Teenage Kicks

Here Comes The Summer

World Cup Countdown (Part Six)

Group F is the one of the murkier to decide once you get past the favourites.

Brazil have an illustrious past, making them favourites for the winners podium in Berlin. Oh, and the fact that they are the best team in the world at present. A fluent playing style makes them a joy at times to watch unless you are supporting the team on the receiving end. They are really only suspect in goal, Dida is prone to the odd lapse in concentration but cannot be that bad as Milan would have dumped him a long time ago if that were the case. In defence, they are strong in the centre, Lucio is one of the best in that position in the world. Yet on the flanks, the ageing Cafu still propels himself forwards with much gusto but equally a fast winger is likely to catch him out. Cicinho is equally adept at going forward yet weak defensively, as Madrid know. On the left, Roberto Carlos is apparently Chelsea bound after this summer but he is no longer a shoo-in as best Left Back in the world. Midfield and Attack are where the Brazilians have real strength. Gilberto and Emerson are proven shields for the defence, in my opinion the Arsenal man has pushed ahead this season. On the flanks, Ze Roberto and Juninho Pernambucano wreak havoc with most full backs whilst Kaka and Ronaldinho are amply talented from open and dead ball plays. Up front Adriano and Ronaldo have misfired over the season for their clubs but the latter has always delivered (with the exception of the 1998 Final) irrespective of his club form. So they cannot be beaten then. Well, that is not true as defeats in Quito and Buenos Aires in the qualifiers proved. OK so Quito is at altitudes far higher than Berlin, Munich and Dortmund will ever be and Argentina is the local derby for them. But in both cases they were high pressure games which shows that Brazil are not the demi-gods the media would have us believe. Then again they did extract ample revenge on Argentina in the Confederations Cup with a 4 - 1 thumping. It is difficult to see beyond Brazil this time round as winners but then again they were favourites in 1982 and 1994 so it is possible that the psychological pressures may play on their minds too much. In a season when tournaments around the globe have been won by the favourites, it would be a pleasant change for an underdog to win.

Croatia are Europe's only challenge in this group and by no means certain to go through. Having finished third in 1998, they were abysmal in their first round exit. This time round though, they will expect to beat the Japanese and probably the Australians as well. They have the technique to do so with a group of players who are willing to fight for each other. Up front Prso and Baloban are capable finishers in a two man frontline. Simic and Tudor are reliable defenders but it is possible that they may struggle to get out of this Group. Much will depend on the outcome of their match with Australia.

Australia are in their first finals for thirty years, ironically as they have changed Federation to make themselves more of an easier route to regular qualification for the Finals. England reject Guus Hiddink has grafted them into a solid team with a five man midfield although this could be bereft of Harry Kewell's peachy bum (© Mrs Harry Kewell) through injury, no surprise to the Liverpool fans out there. Much will rely on Mark Viduka's finishing with Tim Cahill being a key to the midfield. Lucas Neill is red hot favourite for the first red card of the tournament or for the most cards / most fouls. They should run Croatia close for the second place spot in the Group and may be surprise qualifiers.

Having been joint hosts last time out and getting to the second round has given Japan belief that they can make themselves a bigger force in the World game. Add to that the Asian Championship and they will believe that they can achieve something in Germany. However, it appears that the Gods of the Draw were not kind to them and I believe that they can forget qualifying out of this Group. Both the Croats and the Australians will be able to outmuscle the Japanese whilst the former have far superior technique.

Predicted Results

Australia	2	-	1	Japan
Brazil	2	-	0	Croatia
Croatia	3	-	1	Japan
Australia	1	-	3	Brazil
Japan	0	-	2	Brazil
Croatia	2	-	2	Australia

Predicted Table

	Pl.	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts.
Brazil	3	3	0	0	7	1	+ 6	9
Croatia	3	1	1	1	5	5	0	4
Australia	3	1	1	1	5	6	- 1	4
Japan	3	0	0	3	2	7	- 5	0

Arsena Players in Group

Gilberto Silva (Brazil)

Players that Arsenal should sign

Lucio (Brazil)
Kaka (Brazil)
Ronaldinho (Brazil)

Todays Tunes go all rawk and roll on ya. John Mellencamp, having dropped the "Cougar" bit of his name, from 4th of July 1992 at Deer Creek. Joe at Human Wheels has more of this and other gigs.

Rain On The Scarecrow

Paper In Fire

Ad Nauseum

Dear Old Auntie Beeb is finally losing the plot, my correspondence with Meirion Jones being closed with a pathetic bout of name calling from the Producer person. Many things I have been called but a "Glory Hunter"?? Don't recall Arsenal threatening to win anything 25 years ago when I started going but still nil desperandum. Bloody hell, if the Don Howe days were all about Glory then God help us if the club ever really gets into trouble.

Now for a public information service announcement, courtesy of the BBC. Apparently, the Jupiler League is not called that. Sorry to all our Belgian readers and to their sponsors, Jupiler. You are Jupiter. Look I know it is inconvenient and means thousands of Euros being spent rebranding but the man from the Beeb said you are Jupiter so what can you do?

I'm not surprised by the inaccuracy but interestingly, Jones Bach has categorically stated that Arsenal have lied over the past five years about the loan and their relationship with Beveren. So Ashburton Grove will be hosting Conference Football then. Because the Man From The Beeb says it is the case and therefore, it has to be true. After all, they could not have got anything wrong in their report, could they? Not a chance, as they have seen the documents. Could not be bothered to photograph them properly so we have to take their word for it.

World Cup Countdown (Part Five)

Group E contains many people's favourites and also the "favourite" dark horses for the Competition.

Italy are perennial achievers, with the odd exception such as 2002, who no matter how indifferently they play in the qualifiers and the opening phase, know how to kick into gear once the serious stuff begins. This time round though, Marcello Lippi has added more steel to the midfield and allowed the creative side of the team to work it's magic. The impact of the domestic allegations that beset Juventus and to a lesser extent some of their rivals in Serie A, has yet to be seen although I am sure that Buffon has spent time before other tournaments focussing on his game rather than on what an investigative Magistrate has to say. That said, the Italian keeper and his compatriots Nesta and Cannavaro form an impressive spine to the defence. The midfield is strengthened by the return to fitness of Totti and he has something to prove after his showing in the last World Cup, ineffective performances damaging his reputations with Andrea Pirlo providing useful back up in the attacking role. It is upfront however where the Italians have much strength in depth with the emergence of Luca Toni on the international scene and the so far impressive Alberto Gilardino, a creditable goal every other game at this level. Del Piero has again started to play well consistently which means a crucial supply route to the forward line is again in operation. One of only two nations to provide a squad based solely on players who are attached to clubs in their domestic league, they will again be a force to be reckoned with this time around.

The Czech Republic qualified via the Play-Offs which is being seen as an indication of a fall in standards. In truth, this was only due to the Dutch having a great campaign. It is a credit to their coachthat anyone can get Milan Baros to play consistently well, given his paucity of such performances for his clubs in England. Tomas Rosicky will be a key attacking player, keen no doubt to prove why Arsenal paid £8m for him. The stars of previous tournaments are still there although Nedved and Poborsky are no doubt playing their final acts on this stage. However, much will depend on whether Petr Cech can produce the same consistency for his country that he does for his club.

Ghana were less than impressive in the African Cup of Nations this year and will struggle to gain any points this summer. Michael Essien is a good punt for being sent off in the Group Phase and without him, Stephen Appiah will be a key player. No doubt they will be enthusiastic but that will be found wanting at this level.

The US of A made it to the Quarter Finals in 2002 but this time round, will be lucky to escape the Group although should the Czech's slip up, they will be the team to take advantage. They have three reasonable keepers in Keller, Hahnemann and Howard but defensively they always give opponents a chance as shown in the recent 4 - 1 drubbing by Germany. Surprisingly, there was no place for "wunderkid" Freddy Adu in their squad but Claudio Reyna was in good form for Manchester City towards the end of last season to nullify that loss. A creditable third, I think for this team.

Predicted Results

USA	1	-	2	Czech Republic
Italy	3	-	1	Ghana
Ghana	0	-	2	Czech Republic
Italy	2	-	0	USA
Czech Republic	1	-	2	Italy
USA	3	-	0	Ghana

Predicted Table

	Pl.	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts.
Italy	3	3	0	0	7	2	+ 5	9
Czech Republic	3	2	0	1	5	2	+ 3	6
USA	3	1	0	2	4	4	0	3
Ghana	3	0	0	3	1	8	- 7	0

Arsenal Players in Group

Tomas Rosicky (Czech Republic)

Players Arsenal should sign

Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
Alessandro Nesta (Italy)
Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
Luca Toni (Italy)
Alberto Gilardino (Italy)

Todays Tunes come from Simple Minds from 1983, two tracks from the Lyceum in London:

Up On The Catwalk

Waterfront