Friendlies leading to the World Cup

[sid_19840]

As the World Cup approaches a number of friendlies are to be played between the International teams participating in the tournament as well as other International teams,mainly as a preparation to the big tournament.

(I'll try to update the results in these games as they happen)

Friendlies leading to the tournament

May 23
Korea Republic-Senegal (1-1)
Austria-Croatia (4-1)

May 24
USA-Morocco (0-1)
Norway-Paraguay(2-2)

May 25
Ecuador-Colombia(1-1)
Australia-Greece(1-1)
Sweden-Finland(0-0)
England B-Belarus(1-2)

May 26
Korea Republic-Bosnia-Herzegovina(2-0)
Saudi Arabia-Czech Republic(0-2)
Turkey-Ghana(1-1)

May 27
USA-Venezuela(2-0)
Germany-Luxembourg(7-0)
Switzerland-Côte d’Ivoire(1-1)
Trinidad and Tobago-Wales(1-2)
Portugal-Cape Verde Islands(4-1)
Denmark-Paraguay(1-1)
Serbia and Montenegro-Uruguay(1-1)
Netherlands-Cameroon(1-0)
France-Mexico(1-0)
Spain-Russia(0-0)

May 28
Macedonia FYR-Ecuador(2-1)
Ukraine-Costa Rica(4-0)
Croatia-Iran(2-2)

May 29
USA-Latvia(1-0)
Jamaica-Ghana(4-1)

May 30
Czech Republic-Costa Rica(1-0)
Poland-Colombia(1-2)
Tunisia-Belarus(3-0)
Argentina-Angola(2-0)
Germany-Japan(2-2)
Chile-Côte d’Ivoire(1-1)
England-Hungary(3-1)

May 31
Saudi Arabia-Turkey(0-1)
Slovenia-Trinidad and Tobago(3-1)
Paraguay-Georgia(1-0)
Iran-Bosnia-Herzegovina(5-2)
Switzerland-Italy(1-1)
France-Denmark(2-0)

June 1
Norway-Korea Republic(0-0)
Netherlands-Mexico(2-1)

June 2
Germany-Colombia(3-0)
Liechtenstein-Togo(0-1)
Sweden-Chile(1-1)
Angola-Turkey(2-3)
Italy-Ukraine(0-0)

June 3
England-Jamaica(6-0)
Czech Republic-Trinidad and Tobago(3-0)
Switzerland-China PR(4-1)
Poland-Croatia(1-0)
Luxembourg-Portugal(0-3)
Spain-Egypt(2-0)

June 4
Netherlands-Australia
Argentina-Saudi Arabia
Japan-Malta
Côte d’Ivoire-Slovenia
Korea Republic-Ghana
Brazil-New Zealand

June 5
Ukraine-Libya

June 7
Saudi Arabia-Bosnia-Herzegovina
Australia-Liechtenstein
France-China PR
Spain-Croatia

June 8
Luxembourg-Ukraine

Fixture list from FifaWorldCup.com

Sid.

[sachin]

We have three coming up,greece this thursday at the 'G' with a capacity crowd should be great,then Netherlands;that will be a real test.And then we play leichenstein,some good games to keep our player fit,and give other a chance to come back from injury.

[Sureshot]

You've forgotten England B vs Belarus.

Albeit not being an official cap, most of our regulars will play.

This Thursday (Edgbaston then this ) on SkySports1.

Walcott should play.

[sid_19840]

Originally Posted by Sureshot

You've forgotten England B vs Belarus.

Albeit not being an official cap, most of our regulars will play.

This Thursday (Edgbaston then this ) on SkySports1.

Walcott should play.

Thanks for that,Ive updated post 1.Should be an easy win for England,looking forward to seeing Walcott play in that one.Any news on Owen playing for this one?

[Sureshot]

He's 100% fit, just not match fit.

I reckon he'll be a sub.

Walcott and Crouch would be my front 2 on Thursday.

[sid_19840]

Taking into account what youve updated me with,this would be my lineup for the match.I would pick the same team that is likely to be the core in the World cup games.

---------------------------------Robinsion-----------------------------------------

--Neville-------------Ferdinand-------------------Terry----------------------Cole--

--Beckham----------Lampard---------------Gerrard-----------------------Joe Cole-

----------------------------------Crouch-----------------------------------------

---------------------------------Walcott-----------------------------------------

Id like to see either one of Gerrard and Lampard advance and one of them holding the back 4.Also crouch to come back a little at times to try head to ball to Walcott who can run it from there.Also maybe give subs roles to people like Lennon and Downing apart from the others.

[Sureshot]

Only make one personel change and one tactical from that.

Crouch in front of Walcott, A target man always plays infront of a little striker.

Carragher in for Ferdinand.

[aussie1st]

Can't wait for the Socceroos game against Greece. It'll be good seeing where they are at.

[sid_19840]

Originally Posted by Sureshot

Only make one personel change and one tactical from that.

Crouch in front of Walcott, A target man always plays infront of a little striker.

Carragher in for Ferdinand.

Well if Carragher plays instead of Rio then it should be the same in the World Cup as well,he shouldnt just play him now and then Rio in the World Cup.As for Crouch and Walcott,its a swapping role basically,Crouch can either come back with Walcott in front and try to get something on the long balls to head it to Walcott,or he can go front and try to head back.Alternative they can also play together with two on top.It all depends on Sven.

EDIT:Seems like Larsson and Ljungberg and Lucic are going to be rested for their Friendly against Finland on Thursday.Should give some of the others a chance.Im looking forward to seeing Kallstrom play,Ive heard that he's really good.

[aussie1st]

I've heard Walcott will definitely get time but probably not in the starting team. Sven was saying he would get time but most likely off the bench.

[sid_19840]

Originally Posted by aussie1st

I've heard Walcott will definitely get time but probably not in the starting team. Sven was saying he would get time but most likely off the bench.

I would guess then that Owen will be starting,but not getting 90 minutes,so Walcott will be replacing Owen after about 50-55 minutes.


EDIT:The Koreans drew 1-1 against Senegal today.Do-Heon Kim being the scorer for Korea.

[aussie1st]

Good start by Croatia. 4-1 over Austria, looks like they aren't to write of in our group. Will be interesting seeing the form of the Roos against the European champs. It should be a good indicator of where they are at.

[Englishandproud]

Originally Posted by sid_19840

.Im looking forward to seeing Kallstrom play,Ive heard that he's really good.

yes so have i, Wolves nearly signed him when we went upto the premiership but Dave Jones said he wasnt good enough , perhaps Jones's one big mistake.

[sid_19840]

Good start by Poland,but USA lost to a late goal against Morocco.Not exactly ideal for them.

[wolf]

Originally Posted by Englishandproud

yes so have i, Wolves nearly signed him when we went upto the premiership but Dave Jones said he wasnt good enough perhaps Jones's one big mistake.

You are a Wolves fan like me! Yeah one big mistake when we did that!

Crouch and Owen play up front for England against Belarus!