The Friendlies (Week of 02/05/07)

First up, Bulgaria v. Latvia!

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=213086&cc=5901

Please, everyone try to stay in their seats. No singing too loud, no moving about, and certainly no standing.

Violators will be ushered out with potential supension for a yet to be determined amount of time.

 

Watch out for Cyprus!

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=213085&cc=5901

Nope, doesn't really send chills of fear down anyone's back, does it?

 

But, if Mali v. Lithuania is your bag:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=212501&cc=5901

 

Hmmm, may have to slip out of work a tad early.

 

This match, Ghana v. Nigeria, being played in London, should actually be pretty good:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=212869&cc=5901

 

Captain?

Maybe matured some, but still quite the actor. That said, he should surpass Figo in legendary status. This appears just the beginning.

 

At the Cottage: South Korea 1-0 Greece, courtesy of a Lee Chun-Soo freekick. From all accounts, the goal came against the run of play. Greece had more chances, including a disallowed goal in the 2nd half stoppage time.

It's a good warm-up for Korea as they prepare for the Asian Cup, which will coincide with Copa America.

 

In the U-21's England v. Spain, our boy Rosenior got on, showed some pace, made a pass or two, lost a pass (or two), and mostly just got some time in.

Guys to watch from the England squad in my estimation, Leroy Lita, David Nugent, Nigel Reo-Coker, and Theo Walcott, although they all had a very young inspired dribbling into trouble problem. Also, the dfense was a shambles with Curtis Davies first getting his nose broken by his own Keeper, and then playing two horrid balls that led to goals. He did, however, manage the cross to Lita to tie the match.

 

Huge, I mean HUGE day of Friendlies. And to kick things off, before the delicious dessert we're all awaiting, Iran v. Belarus?:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=213092&cc=5901

 

If possible, keep the Poland v Slovakia score out of here as I am watching it tomorrow on tape-delay on Setanta.

Thanks!

 

Nie kłopot, Przyjaciel.

 

Dziekuje bardzo!

 

England 0 - 1 Spain

Iniesta's cracker of a goal was almost enough to make me forget how ugly this game was. Spain looked like the better team, though it was pretty apparent that they weren't at their best.

As for England... frankly, they looked like garbage.

 

Leighton Baines? (Championship Manager 2007 says he's good, anyway.)