World Cup 2010 Blog: “Antonio Cassano Has Other Plans This Summer” plus 2 more

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• Antonio Cassano Has Other Plans This Summer
• USA World Cup 2010 Profile
• 10 World Cup Questions: Australia

Antonio Cassano Has Other Plans This Summer Posted: 28 Apr 2010 04:44 AM PDT Sampdoria’s Antonio Cassano never looked likely to play for Italy at the World Cup this summer. Though Cassano made the squad for Euro 2008, and has been in decent form for Sampdoria, the 27 year old’s international career has been on hiatus ever since World Cup winner Marcello Lippi was reinstated as Azzurri boss. No call ups in two years makes it clear that Lippi doesn’t want Cassano, even though he’s never publicly stated why. So Cassano went ahead and booked his wedding to 18 year old water polo player Carolina Marcialis for June 19th, 2010. Smack bang in the middle of the World Cup. Very subtle. Asked if he’d consider changing the date should he get a surprise call, Cassano made his feelings pretty clear: “No way,” Cassano said. “I’ve thought about the blue shirt since I was born but it’s not my problem,” added the former AS Roma and Real Madrid man.” “I do it my way,” Cassano said. “Maybe prima donnas are not accepted by a group but I have always been one and will continue to be.” I love Cassano the player, but I think it’s safe to assume that things like that above quote are one of the reasons Lippi isn’t keen. I would have loved to see him play this summer, but looks like this little story – player not going to World Cup makes plans during World Cup – will be El Pibe de Bari’s sole contribution to South Africa 2010. In related news, I’ve made plans to do a lot of blogging from June 11th to July 11th, but am willing to change them should Fabio Capello need cover at right back. - More Azzurri stories on the Italy blog.

USA World Cup 2010 Profile Posted: 27 Apr 2010 05:40 PM PDT The USA have been drawn into Group C at World Cup 2010, where they’ll face Algeria, Slovenia and former colonial overlords England. No prizes for guessing which game has everyone excited. With more American players playing in Europe than ever before, this might be the most accomplished team the USA has ever sent to a World Cup. They’ll be hoping this adventure is more 2002 then 2006, but whatever happens they can’t do any worse than the 1998 team. Nickname: The Yanks or The Stars and Stripes. FIFA World Ranking as of March 31st 2010: #16 Coach: Bob Bradley replaced Bruce Arena on an interim basis after World Cup 2006, but did enough to earn the job on a permanent basis. Bradley has nearly a decade of MLS experience under his belt, but has never coached outside the US, and some fans would have preferred a bigger name to be in charge. Some still would. However, Bradley won the Gold Cup in 2007, got to the Confederations Cup final in 2009, and successfully qualified the USA for World Cup 2010. Bradley switches back and forth between 4-5-1 and 4-4-2, so we can expect to see a mixture of both deployed in South Africa. Key Players: Goalkeeper Tim Howard of Everton is difficult to fault. Big, strong, shouty, reliable and quick reflexes. You can’t ask for much more. Big central defender Oguchi Onyewu signed for Milan last summer, but then picked up a knee injury. If the man is fit, then he’ll be blocking shots and heading high balls away with the best of them. Central midfielder Michael Bradley of Borussia Mönchengladbach is dangerous going forward and strong in the tackle. He’s probably the only US central midfielder guaranteed to start, and not just because Bob Bradley is his dad. The USA’s creativity comes from two players. There’s Fulham’s Clint Dempsey, who likes a stepover, but also does things like this: There’s also Landon Donovan, who’s less obviously flashy (no big tricks) but can dribble at pace, pass with intelligence and finish with confidence. The big knock against Donovan was that he couldn’t cut it in Europe, but ever since a successful loan spell with Everton, that criticism is no longer valid. Up front, it’s all about Jozy Altidore. Only 20, but already on the books of Villarreal in Spain. Altidore isn’t even close to being the finished product, but he’s got pace, power, tricks and an eye for goal. Based on the 2009 Confederations Cup, Altidore’s ideal partner is the pacy Charlie Davies of Sochaux. However, Davies involvement is in doubt as he’s still recovering from a horrific car crash in October 2009. Player with best YouTube video: Bit of a cheat, but has to be Clint Dempsey. Either for the chip above, or for “Don’t Tread” below… Player with best name: Easily Oguchi Onyewu. Player with best nickname: It’s a dead heat between Onyewu for Gooch, and Clint Dempsey for Deuce. Unless you count Tim Howard’s occasional – and affectionately insulting – nickname of Timmy Tourettes. Qualification: Qualifying from CONCACAF isn’t particularly hard, but USA did so by finishing in first place, ahead of Mexico. Interesting: If Charlie Davies makes it to World Cup 2010 after his car crash, it will be one of the great feel good stories. Doubly so if he scores. National Anthem: The Star Spangled Banner: Read this post to see the Marvin Gaye version (and the Roseanne one too). Kit: Nothing official yet, but we’re 99% sure it’s going to look like this: More images here, and buy your USA jerseys here. World Cup History: 1930 – Semi-Finals 1950 – First Round (but famous win over England) 1990 – First Round 1994 – Second Round 1998 – First Round 2002 – Quarter-Finals 2006 – First Round Expectations: I’d suggest that USA fans are expecting the team to get out of Group C, and into the last 16. Squad: TBA Blog: We have multiple authors, including Jen, Melissa, Marlon, Dave, Taylor and myself on the USA World Cup Blog. - More World Cup 2010 Team Profiles.

10 World Cup Questions: Australia Posted: 27 Apr 2010 01:44 PM PDT We’ve been trying our best to profile each of the 32 teams that will compete at World Cup 2010, but our knowledge about each team is miniscule (or at least mine is anyway) when compared to that of our team bloggers. If you’re unfamiliar with World Cup Blog, then allow me to explain: The blog you’re reading now is the front page, but the core of WCB is the multitude of team specific blogs, including one for each of the World Cup 2010 teams. The authors of these team blogs have forgotten more about their sides than I’ll ever know, so I decided to tap that knowledge by asking each of them a set of 10 questions. Over the next few weeks we’ll be publishing the answers from our team bloggers and sharing their expert knowledge and opinions here on the front page. Today it’s the turn of Kieran, Luka and Vlado from Australia World Cup Blog. Read on to learn why the Socceroos could be sticking their Oar in come June, and why even one of Tim Cahill’s fingernails is more valuable than Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi. 1. Who is Australia’s best player? Kieran: Without a doubt Tim Cahill. Links our midfield with our rather lacking attack and scores half of our goals. After the comeback against Japan in 2006, Cahill has been an Australian legend. A few very good seasons with Everton have cemented his place as our best player, and Serbia, Ghana and Germany should be scared. Luka: “Cahill. Cahillll. Tim Cahiiiilll!. Tim Cahill has done it again!!!!!” I will never forget this. The man is simply a living legend. I wouldn’t trade one of his fingernails for Cristiano Ronaldo or that Argentine troll. Vlado: Undoubtedly, Tim Cahill. Whether it’s for Everton or Australia, he’s the guy that come come through with the goods when the team needs it the most. 2. What do you think of your coach? Kieran: Pim Verbeek is a figure who divides opinion in Australian football. Some see him as a quality coach, continuing on Hiddink’s good work. Others think he is utterly useless, plays too defensively and they will be more than happy to see him leave after the World Cup. My view? Somewhere in the middle. He is definitely not as good a coach as the mighty Guus, but Verbeek must be applauded for coming to Australia and sticking it out, and ultimately we have qualified for the WC and Asian Cup. Luka: Verbeek is results-driven and a successful pragmatist. Misunderstood by those who misunderstand the ins and outs of international football. Looks like Goldmember. Vlado: Pim? He’s no Guus, but he’s infinitely better than Frank Farina, but despite his preference for playing somewhat conservative tactics, he managed to get us through quite comfortably, so we really shouldn’t complain. 3. What do you think of Australia’s World Cup 2010 kits? Kieran: Originally wasn’t a fan, but they have grown on me. Will have to see how they look in the games, but so far I’m not going to be buying one and burning it. Luka: Our home kit hasn't been released yet! As for our away kit, it grows on you. Kind of like a pimple. Vlado: Only seen the away kit to date, and god are they disgusting! Here’s hoping that the home strip isn’t as hopelessly designed. Something closer to the last World Cup’s jersey would be good, but I’m not holding my breathe on that one. 4. What is Australia’s biggest strength? Kieran: Our midfield. Verbeek normally plays 5 in the middle, with two holding and three creating the chances. In the attacking department we have Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano, Harry Kewell, Brett Holman, Brett Emerton etc, all capable players who can score some goals. Behind them we have the likes of Carl Valeri, Vince Grella, Jason Culina, who will be looking after our back four and passing forward to Cahill and co. Luka: Ambition and self-belief. We set our goals high, and genuinely believe we are capable of achieving them. We do not settle for mediocrity. For example, we were very disappointed to have been eliminated in the second round of the 2006 World Cup (in only our second ever World Cup) by Italy, and the disappointment did not abate after our conniving nemeses eventually became champions. This just reinforced the belief that we could compete with the best notwithstanding our shortcomings in quality. Vlado: Greatest strength is the opponents won’t be expecting much from us. Germany, Serbia and Ghana are all great teams and I can see them all underestimating uour abilities. 5. …and biggest weakness? Kieran: Goals, or more accurately the lack of goals from the strikers. Scott McDonald has not been able to replicate his club form at international level, and Josh Kennedy is well…tall. While Kennedy may be a good striker, he doesn’t provide the goals needed against high class opposition, so unless Scott McDonald starts banging them in, Kewell, Cahill and Bresciano will be busy in the midfield. Luka: We can be a little one-dimensional at times and certainly lack the technical brilliance on and off the ball to break down an organised defence. Vlado: We lack someone up front. Viduka drew two or more players to him last time, giving more room for our great midfield to do their thing, but they won’t have that luxury this time. 6. If you could steal one player from any other World Cup 2010 team, then who would it be and why? Kieran: Without a doubt David Villa. In my opinion the best striker in the world, and would solve our attacking problems (sorry Jesus Kennedy, you’re good, but not as good as Villa). Luka: Wayne Rooney. Well, firstly, we haven't got a decent striker at the moment so a world class one like Rooney would just be splendid wouldn't it? He would fit nicely into our 4-2-3-1 playing system as he has continuously stated how much he prefers playing the lone striker's role. Torres would do nicely too. Vlado: Messi… really, is there anyone else? 7. Tell us one thing about your team that the rest of the world might not know… Kieran: Tommy Oar. After a great season for Brisbane Roar in the A-League, Oar has moved to FC Utrecht where he will be hoping Verbeek might cast an eye in his direction. While a real youngster, and unlikely to make the World Cup squad, could he be the bolter for the squad that makes a difference come June? Luka: Richard Porta was born in the same suburb in Sydney, Australia as yours truly, but moved to Uruguay with his family when he was only a year old. In 2007 he finished top scorer in the Uruguayan Apertura with 19 goals in 15 matches as a striker for Montevideo, and made the move to Siena in 2008 (though is now back on loan in Uruguay). He has yet to make an appearance for either Australia or Uruguay, but at 24 years of age still has a potential international football career in front of him. Vlado: Tommy Oar will come on as a sub and impress all and get snapped up by a big European club. 8. What would you consider success/failure for your team at World Cup 2010? Kieran: Making it out of the group will definitely be a success, while anything less will probably be judged as a failure. Ultimately going better than last WC (round of 16) will be rather difficult, but I think we can do it! Also, while not progressing may be seen as a failure, given the tough group Australia has been placed in solid results will still make be happy. But no, we’re making it to the final! Luka: It depends on the situation and the teams we face after the group stages, should we get that far. Personally I am just glad that we have qualified for successive world cups for the first time. Getting out of the group stages again I think is a must to satisfy the generally fickle Australian public, and progression after that will depend on who we end up playing. 2006 was considered successful (though still disappointing) because we were knocked out by eventual champions Italy. If we had lost to say Switzerland or the Ukraine, then it would have been considered a failure. We are on course to meet England in the second round, which would just be so epic that only a right hammering by the Poms would be considered a failure overall given the attention that would surely be generated. Vlado: Given the strength of the group, making it past the group stage would have to be considered a success. 9. What are you most excited about at World Cup 2010? Kieran: Other than the obvious, seeing if Australia can somehow manage to better our amazing performance of last World Cup, probably to see if South Africa can pull it off and host a great World Cup. I certainly hope so! Luka: Watching as many games live either in the city or my local club with close friends and thousands of like-minded individuals at un-Godly hours of the night, and drinking until things no longer make sense. And girls wearing revealing supporter gear. Vlado: Quality football for a whole month, shown on Australian free-to-air… for a whole month. 10. Who do you think will win World Cup 2010? Kieran: Spain. Villa, Torres, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Mata. Need I say more? Any country that has a goalkeeper playing for Barcelona, in the form of his life, and probably won’t get into the squad, is rather good. And with Villa up top, no doubt about it. Luka: The team that cheats most effectively. Vlado: Spain… finally. More from the Kieran, Luka and Vlado at the Australia blog.

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