And the award for Worst Manager goes to...

So we’re out of the group stages now, and it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the favourites, that's for sure. There have been some near misses (Spain, I’m looking at you) and some absolute skin-of-the-teeth qualifications by teams that you would expect to have simply cruised through their groups (England). But we have lost some favourites, and while no other awards have been finalized as the tournament is just getting into the business end of proceedings, I think I can safely give probably the least coveted prize in world football: The Worst Manager of the Tournament Award.

So, without further ado, here are you finalists!

Tonight's Games.

I know I've missed the kick-off for the Dutch game already but here are tonight's games.

A strong Holland team will play Denmark in the opening game of the night. Holland have shown strong performances in the lead up to the tournament, with a 6-1 win over Hungary. Denmark havn't had the best of preparations however with a 1-0 loss to Australia. Holland to win.

Later on we'll see Japan vs. Cameroon. Cameroon are the favourites in this match with Eto'o coming off a Champions League winning season. Japan have had a terrible preparation to the World Cup, not winning any of their games and managing to only score 1 goal. Cameroon to win.

Defending champions Italy start their title defence against Paraguay. The ageing Italian squad boast a great World Cup record, conceding only 2 goals in their whole campaign in 2006. Paraguay managed to finish 3rd in qualification ahead of Argentina however in my opinion they wont be a match for the Italians. Italy to win.

Tonight's Games. C'mon Aussies!

Tonight we see Algeria take on Slovenia, in a match I know nothing about. Wikipedia tells me that the Algerians are called the "Desert Foxes" and Slovenia have a pretty quirky kit. What I do know is that Slovenia managed to finish ahead of the Czech Republic in qualifying, so I'll give them credit for that. So I'm going for the cool kit over the Desert Foxes. My tip...Slovenia.

Serbia vs. Ghana should be a great game of football. Both nations are technically good and very physical. Ghana will miss Essien in their line-up but they've still got some half-decent players. Serbia haven't been in the best of form as of late, losing to New Zealand 1-0 a couple of weeks ago. It will be a pretty defensive match and I think Serbia might have a slight edge over Ghana. However I still think it will be a draw in the end.

Finally Australia will take on Germany. Australia are the clear underdogs in this match and Germany have been very arrogant in their approach to the game. However this over confidence from the Germans is good for the Socceroos, who will hopefully fly under the radar and get something out of the match. Rumours have been circulating that Harry Kewell will start, but whether Pim will risk him on the opening match is doubtful. My head says Germany but my heart hopes for a draw.

South Korea dominate, while Argentina do just enough.

South Korea established themselves in group B with a strong performance against Greece. It took the Koreans just 7 minutes to net their first goal for the campaign whilst Greece never showed any signs of a come-back. The Greeks were out-run, out-passed and out-scored in the match that finished 2-0. A 53rd minute strike from Manchester United's Ji Sung Park sealed the win.

Maradonna's Argentina did just enough to get a win over resilient Nigeria. Gabriel Heinze's header into the top left corner at 6 minutes was all that was needed to get the 3 points. Argentina looked like they were going to run away with the match, however some spectacular saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Enyeama kept the Super Eagles in the game. Messi was brilliant throughout the 90 minutes and should've scored at least 2 goals. Maradonna decided to start Higuain and Tevez up-front with Aguero and Milito on the bench. Militio came on for Higuain in the 79th however did not get enough time to settle in. Expect Aguero to fire in the next game.

England and USA play out eventful draw

England 1 - 1 USA

After an unsurprisingly energetic start England took an early lead after Emile Heskey somewhat fortuitously put the Lions captain Steven Gerrard through on goal, which he duly finished, tapping the ball past a stranded, and absolutely furious Tim Howard for the games opener before the clock had even ticked over into the tenth minute.

It looked as if England might be about to deliver a killer blow to USA hopes when almost immediately after the restart, Glen Johnson ghosted in from the right, keeping the ball close to his feet as he penetrated diagonally into the box. His run was halted however by a wall of bodies, and the USA defense, clearly reluctant to be on the receiving end of another Howard tirade, cleared their lines.

Most of the remainder half was a tense, tight affair, with Jozy Altidore coming closest, his head making only the slightest connection with a Landon Donavon cross that skimmed past the far post. If the temperature of the match hadn't been high enough, however, it was about to double.

Tonight's games

A technical South Korea will face up to a physically strong Greece. At last check Greece were the slightest of favourites to win the match. After watching Korea's 2-0 over Japan a couple of weeks ago, my tip is for the Korean's to get a win.

Expect a strong performace from Argentina when they take on Nigeria in the second game tonight. The likes of Messi, Tevez and Aguero are named to play but who Maradonna finally decides to pick will be known 30 minutes before kick-off. Argentina should win easily in this one.

Finally we get to see England kick off their World Cup campaign against the USA. The Three Lions are the favourites for this match however USA will be a dark horse in this one. Last year the Yanks beat Spain in the Confederations Cup, and if they can pull off another performance like that, then its anyone's game. But with Rooney fit, my pick will still be England for the win.

Whatever happens, it will be a great night of football and I will be very tired in the morning.

South Africa Promising. France fail to lift.

Last night South Africa proved critics wrong by displaying a strong performance against Mexico to finish 1-1, in the opening game of the World Cup. Mexico were heavy favourites, heck, even I placed a bet on the Mexicans. Thats $3 I'll never see again.

Who's your pick for the Cup?

The reigning European champions Spain are the favourites to win the tournament for the first time, followed by South America champions Brazil. Following shortly behind are Argentina, England, Holland and Germany.

The Dutch can win it!

My pick for the World Cup? -Holland

Their weakness has always been in their defence, but in recent years they have really improved in this area. The introduction of right back Van der Wiel into the squad gives them an extra attacking option from deep. Robben and Sneijder have had amazing seasons and they'll bring this form into the tournament. Robben will sit out the first match but will be fit to play the rest of the games. Van Persie has had an injury hampered season but he still shows so much class. Van Bommel and De Jong will be solid anchors in the midfield, to allow Van der Vaart and Sneijder to attack. Dirk Kuyt will provide a lot of attacking runs on the wing. After watching their 6-1 win over Hungary, I believe that they've got what it takes to win it. Go the Oranje!

World Cup Watch: Wesley Sneijder

The 26-year old will be the leading force in the Dutch midfield after his incredible season winning the Champions league with Inter Milan. He is currently one of the best midfielders in the world and his specialist free-kick taking will cause nightmares for goalkeepers. It's not too late to pick him for your fantasy team.

Wags: the one that got away

One WAG who will be sorely missed in the stands at the World Cup will be Ashley Cole's soon-to-be ex-wife Cheryl Cole. The 26-year old singer and tv personality no longer classifies as a WAG, but this is close enough.

More photos in the link. 

We're Sorry!

Sorry for being so slack for the last 2 weeks. We were literally drowned with homework and exams. But don't worry, you haven't missed much because we're back! And with the World Cup starting in 2 hours-ish, what perrrfect timing.
We promise to make it up to you (thanks for reading, mum and being our only fan).

Socceroos win 2-1 over All Whites

The End?

-- CESC --
I am almost in tears. My throat is tight, my heart is heavy, and I'm hyperventilating.
Yes, Francesc Fabregas has apparently declared he wishes to go to Barcelona, and the glitz and glamor of his homeland and their bulging trophy cabinet. Now, I'm going to have to ignore all my biased personal opinions about why he shouldn't move, and how much I really, really hate Barcelona, and accept that this is, and always has been, probably inevitable.

So what next? Well, here's my list of players that Arsene Wenger should consider for Arsenal's first year AC - After Cesc.

Working from the figure mooted in a goal.com article, which was 45 million pounds, I'm going to estimate that Fabregas will net the club another 45 million at least, and base my selections around that.

Nike Football Ad. "Write the Future"

Nike have released this gem for their lead up to the World Cup. 
They have gone big with this one, with cameos from Kobe Bryant, Roger Federer, Homer Simpson and Ronaldinho (that's awkward).

You saw it here first (I hope).

I know the screen's a bit small so check it out on youtube for a larger screen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLG6jh23yE

-Nando

Transfer News: Arsenal sign Chamakh

Arsenal have signed Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh.

The Moroccan is 26 years year's old which works against Wenger's philosophy of buying young players and training them the Arsenal way, like Fabregas, Wilshere and Ramsay. So could this be a sign that the Frenchman is growing impatient with his current batch of talent?

Transfer news: Aston Villa: Milner is ours

-Nando
Aston Villa have rejected a £20m from Manchester City for PFA Young Player of the Year, James Milner.

Transfer news: Barcelona sign David Villa for £34m

-Nando 

After securing the La Liga title a few days ago, Barcelona are quick to bolster their squad for next season with the signing David Villa of Valencia.

Ballack out of World Cup

Chelsea Midfielder and Germany captain Michael Ballack has been ruled out of the World Cup after injuring his ankle in Chelsea's FA Cup win. 

The injury occurred in the first half of the final after a late tackle from Kevin Prince Boateng of Portsmouth. Due to the excessive swelling, scans on the ankle were postponed for the day after to reveal the worst for Ballack's hopes of playing in a third World Cup. Germany's plans have been rocked significantly after the news that their captain will not be leading them on the pitch. 

Transfer News: RED ALERT. Barca also after Torres

Litereally minutes after I read the Fabregas-Villa rumour I came across another great one.


With Zlaten Ibrahimovic on the move after a sub-par season, Barcelona have set their sights on Fernando Torres to potentially partner David Villa. Despite Chelsea's bid for the forward, Barca have reportedly offered £50 million which has gotten the whole football world licking their lips. Just imagine having Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta, Torres, Villa and Messi together (so pretty much....the Spanish squad + Messi). 


Real Madrid have got a lot of catching up to do. 


- Nando

Transfer news: Barcelona in hunt for Spanish Duo.

According to the club's vice president, Rafael Yuste, Barcelona are in talks to sign Cesc Fabregas and David Villa.

So far dealings are only in the negotiation phase as Barcelona wish to bring back Fabregas to his old club, whilst Villa's transfer is "on the right track".

Meanwhile Thierry Henry is set to leave the Spanish club after reports that he would sign for a Major League Soccer side in America.

WATCH THIS SPACE.

- Nando

Dream Team: Best of Man Utd - Chelsea XI

This is our selection of the best XI of a combined Manchester United and Chelsea squad and here are our reasons:

- Cesc and Nando

Double is nothing without triumph in Europe.

- Nando

Chelsea capped off their Championship winning season with another FA Cup to add to their cabinet. The Blues sealed the double after a 58th minute free-kick taken by none other than Didier Drogba that sailed beautifully into the bottom right corner with some help from the post to beat Portsmouth 1-0. However domestic success was never enough for Chelsea boss Ancelotti, who stated that “We wanted to win the Champions league this season.”

WAGs: van der WOW

Today's post features Sylvie Van der Vaart. The 32 year old Dutch model, actress and television presenter is the wife of Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. She'll be heading down to South Africa in June, so keep an eye out for her in the stands.
- Nando


Click on the link for more pictures.
enjoy.

Where To Now?

For Manchester United, season 09/10 was very much a transitional year. Before they began the first year ACR (after Cristiano Ronaldo), United was looking like a headless beast, in danger of unraveling from within. There was a whole lot of bluster about spending that 80 million pounds that Ronaldo's departure had netted the club, but in the end, 17 million was spent on Antonio Valencia from Wigan, but not a lot else. And Valencia was always going to be a very poor mans Ronaldo on that wing.

Dimitar Berbatov, arrived from Tottenham for a grossly overpriced 30 million quid, and promptly proved the exception to that hard-and-fast rule that Sir Alex is a shrewd and cunning individual when he dips his toe into the transfer market.

So hypothetically, I'm asking you to imagine a Manchester United world where Wayne Rooney didn't exist. Just imagine it. If you come from the red half of Manchester, then pictures don't get much grimmer than that. Because, even though I know whenever anyone scores a goal in the Premier League a rumor springs up, there have been rumblings about a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid and a decent climate.

Pato and Benzema not selected for World Cup!

There have been a handful of questionable exclusions from the World Cup squads and we're here to point them out to you. 

Read on to find out who else you won't be seeing at the World Cup. 

Group H Squads

GROUP H

 European Champions Spain will be facing off with Switzerland, Honduras and Chile. Spain will cruise through this group easily and are probably already deciding on what to do in the knockout stages. The three other nations in this group are pretty weak but I think Chile are the least weak of them all. 

Click on the link below to see their provisional squads

Will El Niño be fit in time?

Group G Squads

GROUP G

The second "Group of Death" of the tournament which features Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal. North Korea might as well stay home for this one. Despite Brazil's questionable selection of players, they are still the favourites for top spot. The toughest pick of the tournament will be whether Portugal or Ivory Coast get through. Ivory Coast have the Toure brothers, Kalou and DROGBAAA whilst Portugal have Cavalho, Nani,  Simao and RONALDOOO. Geez, this one's tough but my tip is Portugal.....but only JUST.

Click on the link below to see their provisional squads

Portugal or Ivory Coast? It's too close to call

Group F Squads

GROUP F

The reigning champions Italy have been drawn with Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia. Italy are the favourites to carry on to the next stage and endeavor to defend their crown. New Zealand will be the whipping boys of the group, poor guys don't know what they're getting themselves into. Paraguay and Slovakia will battle it out for the final place to advance to the next stage. Slovakia have Marik Hamsik, an absolute freak in Seria A for Napoli but Paraguay have Cardozo and Santa Cruze; both will present a large force up front and will probably get them across the line.

Click on the link below to see their provisional squads

No luck in South Africa, maybe 2014? 

Group E Squads

GROUP E

 This group has Netherlands, Denmark, Japan and Cameroon. The attacking strength of the Dutch should get them through to the next stage whilst 2nd place is up for grabs. To be frank, Cameroon only have one player in their squad capable of making a big impact, and that's Samuel Eto'o. If the Inter Milan striker fires up, then Cameroon have a chance. Japan are really good technically, but I doubt it will make up for the lack of talent. My tip for second is Denmark. They have a good all round squad, from Agger and Kjaer in defence to Nicklas Bendtner up front, if would be the perfect underdog story if they got through. 

Click on the link below to see their provisional squads

Can Robben turn his sensational season into World Cup glory?

Group D Squads

GROUP D

 This group has been named as one of the "Group of Death"s in the tournament, the other one being Group G. This group features Germany,  Australia, Serbia and Ghana. Germany are the favourites to finish on top of this group, however the Euro '08 finalists should find some tough competition from the other nations. The Socceroos are probably the weakest team in this group, but they manage to find that extra spark on the big stage, the same spark that got them through to the knockout stages in 2006. The Serbians boast a strong team, especially with Vidic and Ivanovic defending the goals, a pairing that would make most strikers quiver in their boots. Rumours are that Vidic eats babies. Ghana's team will be built around its midfield duo Essien and Muntari and will be a force to be reckoned with. The battle for second is too close to call, but my patriotism calls for The Socceroos to qualify for the knockout stages.

Click on the link below to see their provisional squads

Can this man bring back the magic of '06?

Group C Squads

GROUP C

This group features England, USA, Algeria and Slovenia. The whole of England were elated to find the group that they were drawn in and rightly so. They should navigate their way to the knockout stages without any difficulties. To be honest, I dont really know anything about Algeria and Slovenia, but after looking at their squads I think USA should be able to come through this group in second.

Click on the link below to see their provisional squads

The hopes of a nation rest on the shoulders of one man.

Group B Squads

GROUP B

Featuring Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea and Greece. Argentina are tipped to take out this group with ease whilst the main battle lies in who will take out second place to advance to the knockout stages. The other three teams are all strong and it will be a tough one to call. I reckon Nigeria have that extra bit of x-factor with the likes of Mikel, Anichebe and Martins to pip the others for second place.

Click on the link below to see their provisional squads

Argentina's Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi

Group A Squads

GROUP A

Consisting of host country South Africa, Mexico, Uraguay and France. France are the obvious favourites in this group, but expect a few surprises coming from Mexico and Uraguay. As much as I want to see the "Bafana Bafana" advance, it doesn't look likeky with their comparatively weak squad. 

Click on the link below to see their provisional squads. 

The Greatest Show on Earth

Welcome back, and in case you've been living under a rock, or you couldn't care less about football, you would have been aware that the World Cup squads for most of the nations have been released. The domestic seasons are drawing to a close, or have finished, and our minds are moving to South Africa and the greatest show on earth (I'll fight anyone who argues that the Olympics are better). With the first game kicking off in just over 25 days, the selection of the squads has been rather doubtful, to say the least, especially when recovering drug addicts are allowed to coach their national team, ala Diego Maradona. In the next few posts we'll be giving the squads of all the teams.

-- CESC --

Trouble At Home

Well, dear, committed reader (all none of you at the moment) I am the other half of this very special duo that will be bringing you the biggest load of crap that we can lay our hands on from all around the football globe.

Since my honorable friend Nando decided that his first piece would be about his favorite side, and his favorite player, Liverpool and Fernando Torres respectively, I feel it only fitting that my opening is on Arsenal and our season that just passed, with yet more silverware slipping through our perennially slippery fingers.

Rising Star: Mitchell Langerak, following in the steps of Schwarzer

Determined to scour the globe to bring you the latest talents, our search today has brought us to Australia.
Melbourne Victory’s Mitchell Langerak will take a similar path into stardom as Socceroo Mark Schwarzer. Langerak will debut his European career after Melbourne Victory finally settled on a $900,000 deal with German Bundesliga club, Borussia Dortmund.

Fall of Liverpool's Twin Towers?

With the EPL season finally over, and Captain John Terry lifting the Premiership Cup to the devastation of Devil fans, Liverpool found themselves in lowly 7th place. The club considered as one of the "Big Four" now seem to have trouble staying in the top 8 of the English competition.

However a lackluster season for the Reds should be the least of their problems, as there are now teams circling the club like vultures to poach their 2 prized assets. No, not Lucas Leiva and David N'gog, those other guys, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. The "Awesome Two-some" have shown discontent for their sub-par season which the rest of Europe has interpreted as a cry for help.

New Adidas F50 Adizero

A few days ago Adidas revealed their new F50 boots to be worn by the likes of King Leo Messi and David Villa at the 2010 World Cup. It's claimed they are the "lightest boot in the world", a description that's become a cliche with boots these days.

I was never a fan of F50's to be honest, but Adidas have seemed to pull up their socks and really released something to rival Nike's Mercurials. But I still prefer the Mercurials.

- Nando

What do you think?

First POST!

Welcome! This is our first post for this exciting new blog. We plan to discuss everything about football and bring you the latest news around the world along with a side of tongue in cheek.

Youth players? Dream Teams? Hottest Wags? Latest Kits? We'll talk about it all + more.

Got a question? send us an email

Cesc & Nando