World Cup 2006 Blog

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Another Day, Another Slew of Failed African Age Tests Posted: 24 Sep 2009 10:40 AM PDT Last time we checked in, the Nigerian U17 team picture, or so it seemed, was found to be above the age of eligibility before the U17 World Cup which is being hosted by the slightly humiliated nation of Nigeria. No one was naive enough to think it’d be the first, no one was naive enough to think it would be the last. And it wasn’t. But this one gets a bit dicier as it’s Gambia with the failed age tests for their U17 team. The same U17 team which won the African U17 championship earlier this year. Is that legal trouble wafting through? The Gambian FA have copped to the cheating, intentional or not, and have admitted that the team which took home the title in Algeria featured those who are already proud grandparents. They’re saying “two or three”, just as anyone would with their slightly wrinkled hand caught in the cookie jar, but we’re saying “bullshit”. A total of 51 Gambian youngsters underwent MRI scans in Senegal to help determine their ages ahead of the upcoming Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria. “Very few of the players failed the test,” Kinteh insisted. When asked if any of those who had failed the test had played at the African Under-17 Championship in Algeria he replied: “Yes, I’d need to check, but it can’t be more than two or three.” I’m sure it “can be more” and that these are the words of a hopeful/voluntarily ignorant federation chief. Regardless of the number, even fielding one ineligible player is enough to revoke most titles. Unless, of course, the Africans powers that be just say “fuck it, every team probably had someone overage”. That would be met with approval and applause - call a spade a spade, at least. For the future, Sepp & Co. have put these random age testings in place, so the buildup to Nigeria 2009 may be even more exciting than the tournament itself. Perhaps they can just film the age tests instead? They could even make a reality tv show of it, where the testee stands before a tribunal and, if the tests ring true, he is waved into one door with plush couches and footballs and age-appropriate toys. If not, he is led down a dark hallway into a colosseum-like arena with snarling lions with manes like Trump’s toupee ready to declare his sentence. But for now, in this the real world, the Gambian FA may want to put some military-grade locks on that trophy cabinet at headquarters, for the only thing scarier than snarling tigers is the trophy repo man. And he’s a-comin’.

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NFL Extra: 14 pages of Week 3 previews, predictions, fantasy tips

MAMUDU, Your September 25, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue Scratch Ole Miss' national title hopes By stepping down, Gretzky is man of his word Why Yankees vs. Red Sox series this weekend still matters NBA power poll: Lakers No. 1, but surprises at the top Cubs' 9th-inning HR ruins Giants' chance to gain in wild card If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Email him/her this link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&112724&151934&16580&0000&1236485917&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28202

World Cup 2006 Blog

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2009 U-20 World Cup Preview and Schedule (Plus: ESPN TV Schedule) Posted: 23 Sep 2009 03:10 PM PDT The 2009 U-20 World Cup kicks off in Egypt tomorrow. As the tournament title suggests, it’s just like the real thing, except all the players are too young to buy alcohol in the United States of America. It’s a little disappointing in that several big names are missing. No Bojan Krkić for example, as he pulled out of the Spain squad with a torn thigh muscle. And no Jack Wilshere for England, as he (along with a few other young English talents) is staying home to warm Premier League benches. The other disappointment is the absence of reigning champions Argentina, who won the 2007 U-20 World Cup but somehow failed to qualify for this one. Still, plenty of young talent to watch, including a Brazil team featuring Grêmio mid (and Man Utd target) Douglas Costa and Internacional attacking mid Giuliano, as well as a Ghana team featuring André “Dede” Ayew (son of the legendary Abedi Pele). Any other players you’re looking forward to watching? Let us know in the comments. We’ll try and bring you occasional highlights here on WorldCupBlog, and let you know about any players making a name for themselves in Egypt. Below is a list of the 24 qualified teams, the U-20 World Cup 2009 schedule, and the ESPN broadcast schedule in the US. Here are the groups: Group A: Egypt, Trinidad & Tobago, Paraguay, Italy Group B: Nigeria, Venezuela, Spain, Tahiti Group C: USA, Germany, Cameroon, South Korea Group D: Ghana, Uzbekistan, England, Uruguay Group E: Brazil, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Australia Group F: United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Honduras, Hungary Top 2 from each group goes through to the Round of 16, along with the the four best thir placed teams. From there it’s a good old fashioned knockout tournament. In the United States, ESPN is broadcasting every game, but mostly online via ESPN360. If you have access to ESPN360 then this is obviously fantastic. If not, it’s not very useful at all. Full schedule below: FIFA Under-20 World Cup Schedule, and ESPN broadcasts. All times US Eastern. Thursday, Sep. 23 #1 12:55 p.m. Egypt vs. Trinidad & Tobago (Group A, Alexandria) ESPN360.com Friday, Sep. 24 #2 9:55 a.m. Paraguay vs. Italy (Group A, Cairo) ESPN360.com #3 12:40 p.m. Nigeria vs. Venezuela (Group B, Cairo) ESPN360.com #4 3:25 p.m. Spain vs. Tahiti (Group B, Cairo) ESPN360.com Saturday, Sep. 25 #5 9:55 a.m. USA vs. Germany (Group C, Suez) ESPN360.com/ ESPN Classic #6 12:40 p.m. Cameroon vs. Korea Republic (Group C, Suez) ESPN360.com #7 12:40 p.m. Ghana vs. Uzbekistan (Group D, Ismailia) ESPN360.com #8 3:25 p.m. England vs. Uruguay (Group D, Ismailia) ESPN360.com Sunday, Sep 26 #9 9:55 a.m. Brazil vs. Costa Rica (Group E, Port Said) ESPN360.com #10 12:40 p.m. Czech Republic vs. Australia (Group E, Port Said) ESPN360.com #11 12:40 p.m. United Arab Emirates vs. South Africa (Group F, Alexandria) ESPN360.com #12 3:25 p.m. Honduras vs. Hungary (Group F, Alexandria) ESPN360.com Mon., Sept 28 #13 9:55 a.m. Nigeria vs. Spain (Group B, Cairo) ESPN360.com #14 12:40 p.m. Italy vs. Trinidad & Tobago (Group A, Cairo) ESPN360.com #15 12:40 p.m. Tahiti vs. Venezuela (Group B, Cairo) ESPN360.com #16 3:25 p.m. Egypt vs. Paraguay (Group A, Cairo) ESPN360.com Tues., Sept.29 #17 9:55 a.m. Korea Republic vs. Germany (Group C, Suez) ESPN360.com #18 12:40 p.m. USA vs. Cameroon (Group C, Suez) ESPN360.com/ ESPN2 #19 12:40 p.m. Uruguay vs. Uzbekistan (Group D, Ismailia) ESPN360.com #20 3:25 p.m. Ghana vs. England (Group D, Ismailia) ESPN360.com Wed., Sept. 30 #21 9:55 a.m. Australia vs. Costa Rica (Group E, Port Said) ESPN360.com #22 12:40 p.m. Brazil vs. Czech Republic (Group E, Port Said) ESPN360.com #23 12:40 p.m. Hungary vs. South Africa (Group F, 23 Alexandria) ESPN360.com #24 3:35p.m. United Arab Emirates vs. Hungary (Group F, Alexandria) ESPN360.com Thurs., Oct. 1 #25 12:40 p.m. Tahiti vs. Nigeria (Group B, Cairo) ESPN360.com #26 12:40 p.m. Venezuela vs. Spain (Group B, Cairo) ESPN360.com #27 3:25 p.m. Trinidad & Tobago vs. Paraguay (Group A, Cairo) ESPN360.com #28 3:25 p.m. Italy vs. Egypt (Group A, Cairo) ESPN360.com Fri., Oct. 2 #29 12:40 p.m. Korea Republic vs. USA (Group C, Suez) ESPN360.com/ ESPN2 #30 12:40 Germany vs. Cameroon (Group C, Ismailia) ESPN360.com #31 3:25 p.m. Uruguay vs. Ghana (Group D, Ismailia) ESPN360.com #32 3:25 p.m. Uzbekistan vs. England (Group D, Suez) ESPN360.com Sat., Oct. 3 #33 12:40 p.m. Hungary vs. United Arab Emirates F – 33 Alexandria) ESPN360.com #34 12:40 p.m. South Africa vs. Honduras (Group F, Port Said) ESPN360.com #35 3:25 p.m. Costa Rica vs. Czech Republic (Group E, Alexandria) ESPN360.com #36 3:25 p.m. Australia vs. Brazil (Group E, Port Said) ESPN360.com SECOND ROUND (knockout with 16 teams) Mon., Oct. 5 #37 10:25 a.m. 1st B vs. 3rd A/C/D (Cairo) ESPN360.com #38 1:55 p.m. 2nd A vs. 2nd C (Cairo) ESPN360.com Tues, Oct. 6 #39 10:25 a.m. 1st D vs. 3rd B/E/F (Ismailia) ESPN360.com #40 1:55 p.m. 1st A vs. 3rd C/D/E (Cairo) ESPN360.com #41 1:55 p.m. 1st F vs. 2nd E (Alexandria) ESPN360.com Wed., Oct. 7 #42 10:25 a.m. 1st E vs. 2nd D (Port Said) ESPN360.com #43 10:25 a.m. 2nd B vs. 2nd F (Suez) ESPN360.com #44 1:55 p.m. 1st C vs. 3rd A/B/F (Suez) ESPN360.com/ESPN2 QUARTERFINALS Fri., Oct. 9 #45 10:25 a.m. Winner 38 vs. Winner 39 (Suez) ESPN360.com #46 1:50 p.m. Winner 37 vs. Winner 41 (Suez) ESPN360.com/ESPN2 Sat., Oct. 10 #47 10:25 Winner 42 vs. Winner 44 (Cairo) ESPN360.com #48 1:55 p.m. Winner 43 vs. Winner 40 (Cairo) ESPN360.com SEMIFINALS Tues., Oct.13 #49 10:20 a.m. Winner 45 vs. Winner 46 (Cairo) ESPN360.com/ESPN2 #50 1:50 p.m. Winner 47 vs. Winner 48 (Cairo) ESPN360.com/ESPN2 THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF Fri., Oct.16 #51 10:55 a.m. Loser 49 vs Loser 50 (Cairo) ESPN360.com FINAL Fri., Oct. 16 #52 1:50 p.m. Winner 49 vs Winner 50 (Cairo) ESPN360.com/ESPN Source: ESPN press release, but schedule first spotted on WVHooligan.

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Three NFL division champs badly need a Week 3 win

MAMUDU, Your September 24, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue Reconstructed Cowboys take blame instead of aim No coasting in the ACC Coastal division An old story: Many NHL veterans are 'trying out' for jobs Tigers win, stay 2 1/2 games ahead of Twins in A.L. Central Mike DeCourcy ranks college hoops' top power forwards If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Email him/her this link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&112621&151935&16562&0000&1236485870&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28202

World Cup 2006 Blog

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Is Diego Maradona’s Boca Bias Hurting Argentina? Posted: 22 Sep 2009 12:10 PM PDT We have bloggers and readers on WCB and The Offside who’ve forgotten more about Argentinean football than I’ll ever know. So I may be venturing out onto thin ice here. But I have a theory that might help explain why Diego Maradona is struggling as Argentina boss. It has to do with his deep love of Boca Juniors and his accompanying distaste for all things River Plate related. Basically I think El Diego’s Boca bias might be influencing his national team decisions. Which is never a good thing. For those even less familiar than myself, Diego Maradona is a Boca fan and former Boca player. Though El Diego started out at Argentinos Juniors, his first big move was to Boca in 1981 (he rejected River even though they had more money to offer). And he returned to the club in 1995 before finally retiring in 1997. The image above (half-naked and hanging out of the executive box at Boca’s La Bombonera) pretty much sums it up. And part of being pro-Boca involves being anti-River. Unfortunately for the Argentina national team, Maradona might taken this a bit too far. Here’s the evidence: When Argentina were scheduled to play a World Cup Qualifier va Colombia at River’s El Monumental stadium this past June, Maradona had a well publicized rant about what River had done to their pitch with a recent rock concert: "It's disastrous.I hoped we could look for another stadium but I was told that River (Plate's) is the only one approved by FIFA," he said. "I'm not bothered about River wanting to earn money but I think they should be able to organise the dates properly." "We've brought over (Lionel) Messi, (Sergio) Aguero, (Javier) Mascherano, (Fernando) Gago and we're asking players who cost millions of euros to play on a piece of waste ground. I'm not interested in the finances of River but it's horrible. Regrettably we have to play there." Nasty rant, but no harm done as Argentina won the game 1-0. However, Argentina’s big match vs Brazil last September was relocated as a result of Maradona’s outburst, moved from El Monumental to Estadio Gigante de Arroyito in Rosario. That didn’t go so well. More important than stadium selection, Maradona’s Boca bias appears to be affecting his squad selection. Consider his two most questionable call-ups for the recent (disastrous) World Cup qualifiers vs Brazil and Paraguay. 35 year old striker Martin Palermo and 36 year old defender Rolando Schiavi. Palermo has never done much at international level, unless missing three penalties in one 1999 Copa America game counts… … but has been a big source of goals for Boca. As for Schiavi… He had never played international football before, ever, but did have a very successful four years with Boca at the peak of his career. The players Maradona is leaving out are even more visible. Argentina still lacks a big #9, but Maradona has been ignoring both the experienced Hernan Crespo and the in-form (for Real Madrid no less!) Gonzalo Higuaín. What do these two men have in common? Apart from being visibly better footballers than Martin Palermo? They both used to play for River Plate. There are other issues with Higuaín, like his refusing a call up for the U-20 World Cup, but I still suspect his River history plays a part in his lack of international recognition, if only in El Diego’s subconscious. Now I know what you’re thinking. Nice try Daryl, but what about Juan Roman Riquelme? The brilliant playmaker who quit international football after a row with Maradona. Doesn’t he play for Boca Juniors? Well, yes, he does. And I nearly abandoned writing this post because of that. But then I remembered why the two men fell out with each other. It was because Maradona was unhappy with how Riquelme was performing for his beloved Boca, and couldn’t keep his mouth shut about it. If Riquelme had been playing his club football somewhere other than Boca, he might still be playing for the national team today.

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Check out Sporting News Today's new look

MAMUDU, Your September 23, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Just click here or email him/her the link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&112528&151942&16529&0000&1236485825&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28202

With playoffs approaching, N.L. teams jockey for position

MAMUDU, Your September 22, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue Jets, Saints on the upswing in SN's Power Poll Manning, Colts offense make most of 15 minutes in win over Dolphins Pac-10 slips two spots in Matt Hayes' Conference Call Breaking down the Kessel, Heatley trades College basketball: DeCourcy's top 10 shooting guards If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Just click here or email him/her the link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&112429&151905&16511&0000&1236485775&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28202

Rude houseguests: Giants' win leads 20 pages of Week 2 coverage

MAMUDU, Your September 21, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue Week 2 Checkdown: What we learned and why it matters Again, Romo mixes big plays with mistakes Brees, Saints have the look of a juggernaut College football: The return of the Legends Poll College basketball: DeCourcy's top 10 point guards If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Just click here or email him/her the link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&112317&151865&16490&0000&1236485720&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28202

32-page college football extra: Conference-by-conference coverage, analysis

MAMUDU, Your September 20, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue Hayes: Kiffin gets last laugh, even in loss Curtis: Time for Cal to start thinking BCS Key NFL matchups: Why the Patriots and Giants will win today Chargers NT Williams out for the season Twins rally in 8th, Tigers lead down to 2 If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Just click here or email him/her the link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&112270&151838&16487&0000&1236485711&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28202

College football extra: 12 pages of game day previews, predictions, player diaries

MAMUDU, Your September 19, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue No. 10 Boise St. wins 51-34 shootout over Fresno St. NFL QBs who need to have big Week 2 performances Five NFL teams desperate for a win New Flyers G Ray Emery committed to winning Twins beat Tigers, move within 3 games of A.L. Central lead If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Just click here or email him/her the link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&112269&151822&16480&0000&1236485698&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28202

NFL Week 2 extra: 14 pages of previews, predictions, fantasy tips

MAMUDU, Your September 18, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue My Profile: Bo Pelini, Nebraska football coach Postseason power poll: Playoff contenders line up behind No. 1 Yankees Can Angels finally beat Red Sox in playoffs? If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Just click here or email him/her the link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&112216&151759&16456&0000&1236485671&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28202

Georgia Tech at Miami: Former heavyweights look to regain relevancy

MAMUDU, Your September 17, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue NFL teams search for LB answers Even with Johnson gone, Eagles still bringing the rush Brand focused on classroom, basketball during his tenure atop NCAA Former NHL stars prepping for their second life in hockey Rockies beat back Giants, boost N.L. wild-card lead If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Just click here or email him/her the link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&112171&151720&16444&0000&1236485640&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28202