[ForçaMadeirense]

Portugal Vr Brazil

What could be the World cups, bronse match or the final match
Thats the only way Possible 4 these teams to meet.

I say Brasil wins by one
only because they wont be playing their best to avoid more injuries.

note
Rui Costa, Nuno Gomes two of several people not playing due to injury. but might be ready for the world cup Next Month.

This will give Brazil a nice test, same 4 Portugal.


OtHER GAMES

England - Paraguay

WHAT WILL PARAGUAY LOOK LIKE AT THE WORLD CUP?
CAN ENGLAND PLAY EFECTIVE AGAINST THE LATIN TEAMS?

Germany - Argentina

HOW MUCH DID GERMANY IMPROVE SINSE EURO 2000?
HOW DOES ARGENTINA DO AGAINST GERMANY A VERY STRATEGIC STYLE SOCCER NATION?

Ireland Republic - USA

WILL USA GIVE POLAND AND PORTUGAL A GOOD FIGHT?
IRELAND GOOD ENOUGHT TO ADVANCE ?

Italy - Uruguay

A WIN 4 URUGUAY HERE CAN MEAN WATCH OUT FRANCE.
HOW READY ARE THE ITALIANS 4 THE LATINOS AND THE CROATS?
URUGUAY THE PERFECT TEAN TO FACE 4 ITALIA RIGHT NOW.


Poland - Romania

WILL BE A GOOD GAME. mAYBE NOT TO MANY GOALS BUT
YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THESE TEAMS GET GOING LITTLE CAN BE DONE.

iT WILL BE A CRAZY AND EXCITING DAY IN THE WORLD OF SOCCER TOMMOROW
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS???????????

 

[O Glorioso]

Can't wait for Portugal v Brazil tomorrow.

 

[Gabemar]

England - Paraguay: both teams are missing important players but they'll put up a good show. paraguay is solid and secure in their style of play they'll challenge the english who can be somewhat inconsistent.

Germany - Argentina: both teams again missing key players, the germans hammering their opponents in the friendlies. Let's see how they fare against a top team. To be honest for Argentina this is trully the beginning of their preparation to the WC, they'll take this game as seriously as a friendly can be taken.:tongue:

Ireland - USA: The Irish have impressed so far and even without Keane and Quinn they'll be a tough challenge to the US. IMO if the WC started tomorrow I would put the Irish as my darkhorse team. The US needs to be able to keep up physically against the European teams, otherwise is bye bye for them after the first round.:depress:

Italy - Uruguay
This will be a very interesting match up, uruguay will have most of his defensive unit for this game while up front they have been looking pretty dangerous. Italy is missing a few top players but for the most Trap can field his A team. Italy so far silently have been racking up wins and getting in pretty good shape for the WC. This could be their year

Poland - Romania
Just another tune up for the machine like Poles

Portugal - Brazil
The lusitanos are in disarray the injury bug can downgrade them from contenders to also rans. They need a good showing to solidify their team play and raise their confidence level. Brazil is another that although not impresing is starting to gel and if Ronaldo comeback is for real, better watch out:dazed:

Mexico - Bulgaria
Finally the mexicans will put on the field a team that will closely reflect thei WC team. They should fair better than in previous encounters.

Japan - Costa Rica
The Japs will be missing their european players but the team shown well even without them in the past. Japan is solid unit that for my money will impressed at the WC. Costa Rica is missing a couple of key players but for the most part the team is there. Their preparation so far has been inconsistent, they need to get to top form in time and this type of game will help.

France - Russia
The french appear to want to rest a few players. To be Honest they are playing so well together that more playing time can only increase the chance for injury. The russians have been blasted at home lately for the poor form they have shown so far in friendlies. This is the perfect opportunity for them to bounce back and get their confidence back up ahead of the WC.

Denmark - Israel
The Danish need to take this friendly a little seriously they can afford another embarrasement like the Ireland one. The lack of scoring punch so far is also a major concern.:embarass:

Belgium - Slovakia
The belgians have quietly going about their business. They have not reached their top level but if they are overlooked they could sneak up on anyone.:mute:

Spain - N. Ireland
The spanish are being somewhat complacent according to their coach. I have no idea why a team like Spain would be complacent. They have not shown to be anything special as a team so far in the frienlies and haven't shake off their choking reputation in big touranments.

Croacia - Bosnia
I am not sure what to make of Croatia's opponent so far in the friendlie they seem to be facing all the teams from the former yugoslavia. What is next Montenegro XI or Kosovo's all stars.

Sweden - Norway
The swedes have also been fairly quiet in their preparations. For the most part they are injury free with the exception of P. Anderson or is he back? Anyway the Nowregians should give them a tough challenge. Don't expect too many goals in this game though.

Turkey - Chile
The turkish so far have looked somewhat slugish in their preparations, though to be honest they have been missing a few important players from their friendlies. Let's see how they do against an undermaned Chilean team.:relieved:

Slovenia - Tunisia
This should be an interesting game. Tunisia is basically in turmoil while the Slovenians have shown why they got to the Wc but haven't shown why they should advance past the first round:sigh:

Cameroon - Austria
The africans have been showing a good form to the friendlies and i have to say this is by far the best preparation they have had for WC in ages if not ever watch out for them roud:

Nigeria - Scotland
This is another team that have tended in the past to shoot themselves in the foot. They seem to be avoiding it so far but they are not out of the woods yet. Scotland should present adequate popposition to tune up their game.:lick:

Ecuador - South Africa
Ecuador have been also inconsistent in their preparations but mainly due to player availability. They are missing a few starters but they'll play a compact game. South Africa is basically in disarray, the coach has no more idea than me as to who is going to be in the WC.:wth:

 

[Gabemar]

http://sports.yahoo.com

Japan ride luck in 1-1 draw with Costa Rica

By Alastair Himmer

YOKOHAMA (Reuters) - World Cup co-hosts Japan rode their luck as they drew 1-1 with Costa Rica in a friendly in Yokohama.

Striker Ronald Gomez missed a penalty nine minutes into the second half which looked costly when Japan took the lead through Kashiwa Reysol midfielder Tomokazu Myojin in the 70th minute.

Again fortune favoured Japan as Myojin sliced a right-wing cross over Costa Rica goalkeeper Erick Lonnis to the delight of 65,000 fans at International Stadium, venue for the World Cup final on June 30.

However, Costa Rica hit back seven minutes later when substitute Winston Parks was allowed to skip through the Japan defence and beat Japan goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki from close range.

The Udinese striker had been on the pitch for less than 10 minutes after replacing Rolando Fonseca.

Moments later, Japan almost restored their lead when Akinori Nishizawa met a pinpoint cross from Brazilian-born midfielder Alessandro only to see his header come back off the post.

Japan, who clearly missed European-based players Hidetoshi Nakata (Parma), Shinji Ono (Feyenoord) and Junichi Inamoto (Arsenal), created the better chances but were let down by a lack of composure in front of goal.

CHIEF CULPRIT

Kashima Antlers striker Takayuki Suzuki was the chief culprit, missing the target with three close-range headers in quick succession after the interval.

But Japan, who beat Ukraine 1-0 in Osaka and Poland 2-0 away last month, were lucky to survive the penalty decision, awarded when Koji Nakata hauled down Harold Wallace inside the box.

Gomez stepped up to take the spot kick but his shot was too close to Narazaki, who blocked comfortably.

Japan coach Philippe Troussier quickly lost his patience with the lack of urgency shown by his players at the start.

The Frenchman duly hauled off midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara, who was making his first international start, in the 26th minute and his Kashima team mate Atsushi Yanagisawa four minutes later.

"We made a bad start and there was some confusion early on so I made changes. Ogasawara was playing too deep to be effective in attack and Yanagisawa just wasn't involved at all" said Troussier.

"But our balance improved after that and we looked a different team towards the end."

Costa Rica coach Alexander Guimaraes, who was without a number of regulars, including injured Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope and captain Reynaldo Parks, said the match had been a valuable lesson ahead of the World Cup.

"We had seven new players in the squad and I wanted to have a look at a few different options," Guimaraes told reporters.

"If Wanchope is not fit in time for the World Cup, at least we know now that (Winston) Parks can do the job."

Japan, who co-host the World Cup with South Korea, play Belgium, Russia and Tunisia in group H, while Costa Rica face Brazil, China and Turkey in group C. The World Cup kicks off in Seoul on May 31.

 

[Gabemar]

http://www.cnnsi.com

Wednesday's team news

Injured Tristan ruled out for Spain
Posted: Wednesday April 17, 2002 5:49 AM
Updated: Wednesday April 17, 2002 9:13 AM


MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Deportivo de La Coruna striker Diego Tristan was ruled out of Spain's World Cup friendly against Northern Ireland in Belfast with a strained thigh muscle, Spanish newspapers reported Wednesday.

Tristan sustained the injury Tuesday during a training session with his international teammates at Windsor Park, the venue for Wednesday's match.

The 26-year-old was rated by Spanish team doctor Genaro Borras as doubtful for Sunday's vital league encounter when third-place Deportivo visits leader Valencia.

Tristan is the Spanish league's leading scorer with 19 goals.

Helveg drops out for Denmark
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -- AC Milan defender Thomas Helveg has dropped out of Denmark's squad to face Israel in Wednesday's friendly with a thigh injury, the Danish soccer association Web site said Tuesday.

The 30-year-old, who has 66 caps, had missed the last friendlies against Ireland and Saudi Arabia due to injury.

Hamann, Caniggia to miss Germany-Argentina match
STUTTGART, Germany (AP) -- Midfielder Dietmar Hamann of Liverpool will miss Wednesday's World Cup warmup match between Germany and Argentina because of a leg injury.

Hamann became the 11th German player to pull out of the match, leaving team chief Rudi Voeller with another makeshift squad. Voeller had more than a dozen players missing last month in the match against the United States but the Germans still won, 4-2.

Argentina, already missing Juan Sebastian Veron and Gabriel Batistuta, also lost veteran Glasgow Rangers striker Claudio Caniggia to a hamstring injury.

France's Wiltord ruled out of Russia game
PARIS (Reuters) -- Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord has pulled out of France's friendly against Russia on Wednesday because of a minor thigh injury.

"France coach Roger Lemerre decided that there was a risk and he didn't want to take it," said press officer Philippe Tournon.

"Wiltord picked up his injury during a late training session Tuesday.

"There are no worries about his availability for the World Cup. He will have a scan on Wednesday and will go back to Arsenal with all the medical details."

Wiltord is the second France striker ruled out after Juventus's David Trezeguet withdrew Monday, also because of a thigh muscle problem.

Lemerre called up Fulham's Steve Marlet to reinforce his front line alongside Arsenal's Thierry Henry and Liverpool's Nicolas Anelka who has been recalled to the squad for the first time since November.

Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez also tripped over a ball on Monday evening but he has been declared fit to play.

Jansen pulls out of England squad
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) -- Blackburn striker Matt Jansen pulled out of the England squad for Wednesday night's World Cup warmup against Paraguay because of a stomach ailment.

Jansen, 24, who had received his first call-up to the national squad, had missed Tuesday's training in Wrexham. It's uncertain whether he will recover in time for relegation-threatened Blackburn's game at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

 

[Gabemar]

Poland 1 - Romania 2 FINAL

Croatia 2 - Bosnia 0 FINAL

 

[Ero]

and Suker gets man of the match

yeah, we played both Slovenia and Bosnia, but this was to promote our bid for hosting Euro2008 together.

We have another neighbour coming to town, Hungary, and in the WC yet another neighbour, ITALY....spooky how neighbours gang up like that.

 

[Gabemar]

Denmark 3 - Israel 1 FINAL
Sweden - Norway FINAL
Turkey 2 - Chile 0 :depress: FINAL
Belgium 1 - Slovakia FINAL
Cameroon 0 - Austria 0 FINAL
Ireland 2 - USA 1 FINAL
Germany 0 - Argentina 1 FINAL
Italy 1 - Uruguay 1 :dazed: FINAL
England 4 - Paraguay 0 :embarass: FINAL
France 0 - Russia 0 FINAL
N. Ireland 0 - Spain 5 :wth: FINAL
Scotland 1 - Nigeria 2 :skull: FINAL

 

[mutu1875]

Full results :
FT Japan 1 - 1 Costa Rica
FT Rep. of Macedonia 1 - 0 Finland
FT Yugoslavia 4 - 1 Lithuania
FT Hungary 2 - 5 Belarus
FT Poland 1 - 2 Romania
FT Croatia 2 - 0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
FT Ukraine 2 - 1 Georgia
FT Malta 1 - 0 Azerbaijan
FT Denmark 3 - 1 Israel
FT Greece 0 - 0 Czech Republic
FT Luxembourg 3 - 3 Liechtenstein
FT Norway 0 - 0 Sweden
FT Turkey 2 - 0 Chile
FT Belgium 1 - 1 Slovakia
FT Slovenia 1 - 0 Tunisia
FT Austria 0 - 0 Cameroon
FT Republic of Ireland 2 - 1 United States
FT Germany 0 - 1 Argentina
FT Italy 1 - 1 Uruguay
FT England 4 - 0 Paraguay
FT France 0 - 0 Russia
FT Northern Ireland 0 - 5 Spain
FT Scotland 1 - 2 Nigeria
FT South Africa 0 - 0 Ecuador
Latest Portugal 0 - 0 Brazil

 

[ForçaMadeirense]

Portugal 1 Brasil 1
Conceicão around 67th min
Gaucho Ronaldinho 75th min (PEN)

IM ALL EXCITED Portugal looked like the team to beat
the opposite to what I expected.

If it wasnt 4 that penalty.
I give that game a 9.5 out of ten Beautiful.
three thumbs up.

Well if you didnt see it thats how the world cup finals will look like