08.06. (Wed) 21:30 Uruguay - Netherlands

DID YOU KNOW?

Uruguay have won only one out of their last six games against European opposition.

With 74 international appearances so far, Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan is the most experienced Uruguay player in Wednesday's game.

Not a single teenager has been included in the South Americans' roster for the Oranje clash.

Uruguay last won a big trophy when they lifted the Copa America in 1995.

Ajax midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro is the only player in the Uruguay squad who currently plies his trade in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Netherlands have not lost a single match since their 1-0 loss against Spain in the final of the 2010 World Cup.

At the age of 31, Hamburg's Joris Mathijsen is the oldest player in the squad for this week's friendly.

Feyenoord youngster Georginio Wijnaldum is one of three Dutch players who could make his international debut on Wednesday.

Netherlands have met Uruguay five times before and were beaten on three occasions. Their only wins came in 2010 and 1974.

Schalke hitman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar sits ninth in the list of all-time Oranje goalscorers with 26 goals.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Uruguay (4-3-1-2)
Muslera; Caceres, Lugano, Godin, M. Pereira; Gargano, Perez, A. Pereira; Forlan; Cavani, Suarez

Head coach Oscar Tabarez could field the same eleven players who featured in the 2-1 friendly loss against Germany last week as he does not have too many injury worries. Sevilla's Martin Caceres was plagued by problems in the last weeks of the domestic season, but appears to be ready in time for the rematch of last World Cup's semi-final.

Goalscorers from that day Diego Forlan and Maxi Pereira are both present in the squad, as they look to banish memories of the 3-2 reverse in front of their own fans.

Netherlands (4-2-3-1)
Krul; Van der Wiel, Bruma, Mathijsen, Pieters; De Jong, Strootman; Robben, Afellay, Elia; Huntelaar

Netherlands tactician Bert van Marwijk will be without several regulars on Oranje's South America trip as Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder, Mark van Bommel, Demy de Zeeuw, Theo Janssen, Michel Vorm and Maarten Stekelenburg have all stayed behind in Holland.

Shot-stopper Tim Krul made his debut against Brazil at the weekend and the Newcastle man is likely to start again. Nevertheless, Van Marwijk could make some changes compared to the team that locked horns with Brazil and Jeffrey Bruma, Eljero Elia and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar could all start on Wednesday.

Prediction

Uruguay will be keen to get a good result against Netherlands after their World Cup semi-final loss last year, but it will not be easy for the Charruas. They start the match as favourites as they are in full preparation for the Copa America, whereas Oranje's season is already over. Their recent record against European opposition is far from impressive though, while the Dutch have not lost a single game since their defeat against Spain in July 2010. 

Uruguay 1-1 Netherlands

Read More

08.06. (Wed) 02:50 Brazil - Romania

DID YOU KNOW?

Brazil and Romania first met in Group 3 at the 1970 World Cup, when a Pele brace, the first from a thumping free-kick, and a close-range Jairzinho effort earned the South Americans a 3-2 win. In the teams’ only other encounter, the Selecao emerged 2-0 victors courtesy of strikes by Edu and Leivinha, the uncle of Liverpool midfielder Lucas.

Romania reached a personal best of third on the Fifa ranking in September 1997. With the likes of Gheorghe Popescu, Gheorghe Hagi, Viorel Moldovan and Adrian Ilie shining, they had won their last six matches.

Ronaldo will be making his 98th and final appearance for Brazil, and consequently becoming their joint-fifth all-time record appearance holder, level with Djalma Santos and behind Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Lucio and Taffarel. The 34-year-old has never played against Romania previously.

Brazilians Eric and Wesley finished second and third respectively on the 2010-11 Romanian top flight’s scoring chart behind Ianis Zicu.

Otelul Galati last month became Romanian champions for the first time in their 47-year-old history. They are coached by Dorinel Munteanu, Romania’s most-capped player. Fluminense ended a 26-year wait for Campeonato Brasileiro gold in December.

Gheorghe Hagi is widely regarded as Romania’s greatest-ever player. Pele called the former playmaker, whom he named in his 100 greatest living footballers in 2004, “a joy to watch.”

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Brazil (4-3-1-2)
Victor; Maicon, Lucio, David Luiz, Andre Santos; Sandro, Henrique, Elias; Robinho; Neymar, Fred.

Mano Menezes released Julio Cesar, Daniel Alves, Thiago Silva and Ramires from his squad following the 0-0 draw with the Netherlands on Saturday, in order to afford them more rest ahead of the Copa America. The Brazil coach will introduce Ronaldo on the half-hour mark, to give the iconic striker a 15-minute run-out and his farewell appearance for his country, so Leandro Damiao and Nilmar are hopeful they will begin the second half.

Romania (4-4-2)
Tatarusanu; Rapa, Gardos, Papp, Oros; Muresan, Bourceanu, Torje, Sanmartean; Marica, Surdu

Razvan Lucescu unexpectedly quit the Romania reins on Saturday following a victory, a 3-0 one at that, over Bosnia and Herzegovina. His assistant Stefan Iovan, along with U-21 coach Emil Sand, will take charge for the game in Sao Paulo, though they will be unable to call upon Cristian Sapunaru, Gabriel Tamas, Razvan Rat and Adrian Mutu, who have been released from the squad. Romania are likely to field a very inexperienced team.

Prediction

Romania’s first-choice XI would face an uphill struggle away to Brazil. Without key players, the Europeans have a mountain to climb to take anything from the match. The South Americans will be desperate to win convincingly after losing two and drawing one of their last four outings, and they should keep a clean sheet, dominate possession and emerge with a big victory.

Brazil 5-0 Romania

Read More

07.06. (Tue) 22:30 Venezuela - Spain

DID YOU KNOW?

Venezuela's football team is nicknamed La Vinotinto (The Red Wine) because of the burgundy colour of their shirts.

Venezuela is the only national team from Conmebol to have never qualified for a World Cup.

Venezuela's all-time top goalscorer - with 20 - is Giancarlo Maldonado, who had a spell at Xerez last season.

Another Venezuela forward, Salomon Rondon, plays in Spain with Malaga and has been compared to former Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert.

While football is growing in popularity in Venezuela, baseball remains the country's most popular sport.

Spain could have faced Venezuela in this summer's Copa Ameria, but the world champions decided to turn down the invitation to play in Argentina.

Athletic Bilbao defender Fernando Amorebieta, who has been called up by Spain but remains uncapped, is eligible to play for Venezuela.

Barcelona forward Jeffren Suarez is also eligible to represent Venezuela, but says he has chosen Spain and has represented La Roja at under-21 level.

Spain have won the only two previous meetings between these two sides.

In the 4-0 win over USA on Saturday night, Fernando Torres became Spain's joint fourth-highest goalscorer with 27, the same amount as former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS


Venezuela (4-4-2):
Morales; Rincon, Vizcarrondo, Rosales, Fuenmayor; A. Flores, Chourio, F. Flores, Arango; Fedor, Maldonado

Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon is unfit to start this match after picking up an injury late in the season with Malaga.

Rondon, who scored 14 goals in 29 appearances to help the Andalusian side avoid relegation, is expected to be fit enough to make a late cameo appearance from the bench.

Coach Cesar Farias is set to name a strong side for the visit of the world champions, with former Mallorca favourite Juan Arango included in midfield.


Spain (4-4-2):
Casillas; Ramos, Pique, Albiol, Iraola; Bruno, Xabi Alonso, Iniesta, Silva; Torres, Llorente

The president of Spain's football association (RFEF), Angel Maria Villar, promised a strong line-up for this friendly last month, as part of the terms agreed in the contract.

Coach Vicente del Bosque could hand a start to Fernando Torres up front after the Chelsea striker scored as a substitute in Saturday night's 4-0 win over USA.

With many of the players tired following a long journey to Venezuela and the match on Saturday, Del Bosque is likely to freshen up his side by bringing in the likes of Andres Iniesta, Fernando Llorente and Andoni Iraola.

Meanwhile, either Pepe Reina or Victor Valdes could get an opportunity from the bench.

Prediction

After their squashbuckling performance in the 4-0 win against USA on Saturday night, it is hard to see Spain achieving anything other than a convincing victory in this match.

It will be a strong side from La Roja and Venezuela, although improved in recent years, will not be able to live with the World Cup winners - even if Vicente del Bosque's side men play in second gear.

Venezuela 0-3 Spain

Read More

07.06. (Tue) 20:45 Italy - Ireland

DID YOU KNOW?

Italy are undefeated in Euro 2012 qualifying and have a five-point lead over second-placed Slovenia.

Azzurri coach Cesare Prandelli played under current Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni at Juventus.

The Nazionale beat Ukraine 2-0 in their last international friendly.

Giuseppe Rossi has scored in his last two games for Italy.

Republic of Ireland have outscored their opponents 8-0 in their last three competitive fixtures.

Robbie Keane passed the 50-goal mark after netting a brace in the 2-0 win over Macedonia on Saturday.

The Boys and Green played out a 2-2 draw in their last match against Italy in a World Cup qualifier in October 2009.

Giovanni Trapattoni had a four-year stint as Italy's national team coach from 2000-04.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Italy (4-3-1-2)
Viviano; Cassani, Gamberini, Chiellini, Criscito; Nocerino, Pirlo, Marchisio; Montolivo; Rossi, Pazzini

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will be unable to call on Mario Balotelli, Thiago Motta or Alberto Aquilani on Tuesday evening while Daniele De Rossi was excluded from the squad for breaching the Azzurri tactician's code of conduct.


Republic of Ireland (4-4-2)
Forde; McShane, St Ledger, O'Dea, Ward; Coleman, Andrews, Foley, Lawrence; Keogh, Long

Aiden McGeady will miss the match after the winger was summoned back to Russia by Spartak Moscow. Robbie Keane, Kevin Kilbane, Shay Given, Keith Fahey and John O'Shea were all given permission to be excused from the squad.

Prediction

Ireland are missing a slew of first-team regulars while Italy are coming off an impressive win over Estonia. Look for the Azzurri squeak out a slim victory in Liege on Tuesday.

Italy 2-1 Ireland

Read More

07.06. (Tue) 19:30 Russia - Cameroon

Shaking up for the rest of the Euro qualifiers

Fresh from a sound 3-1 win over Armenia in their most recent Euro 2012 qualifier, Russia are keen to build upon that momentum. After being unable to win their two previous games against Qatar (1-1) and Armenia (0-0) during the last three months, and then losing to Iran (1-0) and Belgium (2-0) earlier on, the Russians will look to build on their victory with another.

Placed second in Group B of the Euro 2012 qualification table with 13 points – shared with group leaders Slovakia and third-placed Republic of Ireland – Russia are playing host to Macedonia in early September to hopefully consolidate their group status, and a friendly against one of Africa’s top teams will be a positive test for them.

Both teams have met twice at the Fifa World Cup finals in 1990 and 1994, with Europeans always triumphing big, but generations have long changed and the Sbornaya are conscious of the fact that the Indomitable Lions now float a number of sparkling talents who ply their trade in top European clubs.

How to make up for the black Saturday

Cameroon’s chances of reaching the 2012 African Cup of Nations now hang by a thread after they failed to win at home against Senegal on Saturday, ending the clash in a scoreless draw and letting the visitors share the spoils to push near qualification.

With an entire nation still ruing the fluffed opportunity of reviving the central Africans’ campaign for next year’s continental showpiece, especially after a wasted last minute penalty kick by captain Samuel Eto’o, how necessary is a friendly match that comes barely three days after the black Saturday?

Coach Javier Clemente will likely strive to squeeze out some consolation for the FA and authorities, but will hardly pacify millions of local fans who now feel it is all over for the Indomitable Lions and that they will not see them compete in their backyard of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea early next year. What’s the need of a friendly match against Russia?

FORM GUIDE

Russia

4/6/2011 Russia 3-1 Armenia (Qualifier)

29/3/2011 Qatar 1-1 Russia (Friendly)

26/3/2011 Armenia 0-0 Russia (Qualifier)

09/2/2011 Iran 1-0 Russia (Friendly)

17/11/2010 Russia 0-2 Belgium (Friendly)

Cameroon

04/6/2011 Cameroon 0-0 Senegal (Qualifier)

26/03/2011 Senegal 1-0 Cameroon (Qualifier)

09/2/2011 Macedonia 0-1 Cameroon (Friendly)

09/10/2010 Cameroon 1-1 DR Congo (Qualifier)

04/09/2010 Mauritius 1-3 Cameroon (Qualifier)

TEAM NEWS

Russia

Dick Advocaat has announced that Zenit St. Petersburg midfielders Roman Shirokov and Alexei Ionov have been dropped from the squad.

Probable starting XI:
Akinfeev, Zhirkov, Ignashevitch, Berezoutski, Anyukov, Torbinski, Zyrianov, Denisov, Semshov, Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko

Cameroon

Arsenal’s Alex Song is the only known withdrawal from the squad for now due to injury but it is still unclear if all the players who played against Senegal will make the Austrian trip, according to local sources.


Probable starting XI:
Kameni, Assou-Ekotto, Mbia, N'Koulou, Bassong, Chedjou, Enoh, Aboubakar, Eto'o, Emana, Webo

PREDICTION

Russia will tend to impose their historic advantage over Cameroon, but the Central Africans have a mission more than just winning here, but to roll out a performance good enough to wipe the tears of Saturday’s faux pas against Senegals from the faces of home fans.

Russia 1-1 Cameroon

Read More

07.06. (Tue) 19:00 Azerbaijan - Germany

DID YOU KNOW?

Azerbaijan lost their last qualifier against Kazakhstan. In the press conference afterward, coach Berti Vogts had a toilet paper roll thrown at him.

Before moving to Azerbaijan, Vogts coached the nation of his birth, Germany.

Azerbaijan have only won two matches since Vogts took over as coach in 2008.

One of those wins came in October as Azerbaijan beat Turkey 1-0 in Baku, earning their only points of Euro qualifying.

Germany have a perfect 18 points from six Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Mario Gomez, who was the match-winner against Austria has scored in his last three international matches.

Low's squad boasts Europe's best goal difference in qualifiers, with the second-highest goals scored tally.

Lukas Podolski is the most capped player in the German squad, with 88 appearances for country. He surpassed Bastian Schweinsteiger's tally in his last match, and is 12th on his country's all-time list.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Azerbaijan (4-1-4-1)
Agayev; Melikov, A. Sadygov, Javadov, Aliyev; F. Sadygov; Abushev, Nadyrov, Medvedev, Levin; Ismayilov

Only one change is expected from the Azeri side, as Vugar Nadyrov is set to replace Javid Huseynov in midfield, after scoring his country's equaliser in their 2-1 loss to Kazakhstan on Friday.

Germany (4-2-3-1)
Neuer; Lahm, Friedrich, Badstuber, Schmelzer; Hummels, Kroos; Muller, Ozil, Podolski; Gomez

Sami Khedira and Simon Rolfes are the latest to withdraw from Joachim Low's squad, leaving the coach with no option but to give Sebastian Rudy his first ever call-up. With Khedira, Rolfes, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sven Bender, and Christian Trasch all unavailable to play in defensive midfield, Rudy has a genuine chance to start, although Low's other option is to advance Mats Hummels from defence to midfield.

Elsewhere, the absence of Miroslav Klose means that Mario Gomez will start as the attacking focal point. Low may experiment with his attacking options, but in all likelihood will use his tried and tested combination of Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski from the start.

Prediction

Azerbaijan have become quite resilient in Baku, and may well take a clean sheet into half-time. However, in spite of their injuries, Germany have more than enough quality - and crucially, fitness - to earn a comfortable win.

Azerbaijan 0-3 Germany

Read More

07.06. (Tue) 13:00 South Korea - Ghana

Avengin an old loss with an experimental team

Coach Cho Kwang-Rae knows the World Cup quarter-finalists are not going to be a walk in the park but is still expected to make changes in his starting eleven.

Since September last year, the Taegeuk Warriors have ‘severed’ ties with defeats. They have recorded an unbeaten record of 11 games with the latest against Serbia in an international friendly that ended 2-1 in their favour.

Both teams are expected to put up an entertaining match in Seoul that will flow throughout the game as the two tacticians are highly expected to employ strategies to protect their record. Kwang-Rae has recorded eight wins, four draws and one defeat in his tenure. The tactician is also expected to make some changes in his starting line-up to experiment with his formation as well as study other players.

Maintaining winning ways

Ghana, undoubtedly one of the most motivated African sides at the moment, will be looking forward to maintain their winning ways against South Korea this Tuesday in an international friendly. Currently ranked as the best in Africa, the Black Stars, under coach Goran Stevanovic, who is yet to taste a defeat at his new post, will enforce their new found attacking strategy to beat a faster Korean side.

The last time the west Africans met the Taegeuk Warriors five years back at the same venue, it was the Asians that met their waterloo. The score was 3-1 for Ghana. Striker Asamoah Gyan, who hit a brace for the four-time African champions, is still around and has transformed into a better goal scoring machine than ever, but the other scorer Michael Essien, who just returned to the squad after a hiatus is unavailable for the game.

Ghana is expected to make changes to their starting line-up compared to the one that faced Congo in their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kumasi last Friday. Captain John Mensah picked a knock in that game and Udinese’s Jonathan Mensah is most likely to replace him.

AC Milan’s Kevin-Prince Boateng is also unavailable as he was due to fly back to Milan for further checks on an injury he sustained in the Serie A. In addition, the squad left Ghana on Saturday without Essien, Prince Tagoe, Andre Ayew, Samuel Inkoom and second goalkeeper Sammy Adjei. Some new faces are therefore expected in the squad on Tuesday.

FORM GUIDE

South Korea

3 June: Korea 2:1 Serbia (Friendly)

25 March: Korea 4:0 Honduras (Friendly)

9 February: Turkey 0:0 Korea (Friendly)

28 January: Uzbekistan 2:3 Korea (Asia)

25 January: Japan 2:2 Korea (Asia)

Ghana

3 June: Ghana 3-1 Congo (Afcon qualifier)

29 March: England 1-1 Ghana (Friendly)

27 March: Congo 0:3 Ghana (Afcon qualifier)

8 February: Togo 1:4 Ghana (Friendly)

10 October: Ghana 0:0 Sudan (Afcon qualifier)

TEAM NEWS

Korea

Sunderland target Ji Dong-Won could start with more playing time granted. Wolfsburg's Koo Ja-Cheol can be used in a more attacking role behind Park Chu-Young since Lee Keun-Ho did not impress in the Serbia game and may be dropped. Midfielder Kim Bo-Kyeong is also likely to get more playing time against Ghana.

Probable Line-up: 
Jung SR; Cha DR, Hong JH, Lee JS, Kim YG; Ki SH, Lee YR, Lee CY, Kim JW, Koo Ja-Cheol; Park CY

Ghana

The Black Stars have arrived in the Korean capital, Seoul. Some key stars are unavailable for the friendly as a result of injury and seeing to personal issues. Captain John Mensah, Michael Essien, Prince Tagoe, Samuel Inkoom, Sammy Adjei, Andre Ayew and Kevin-Prince Boateng have all been ruled out of the test game.

Probable Line-up: 
Richard Kingson; John Paintsil, Daniel Opare, Jonathan Mensah, Isaac Vorsah; Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Derek Boateng, Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah, Prince Tagoe, Asamoah Gyan

PREDICTION

Total home support will go against the Black Stars, but they have shone on bigger stages before to have a cause to complain. Both sides have equal chances to win this game although it appears the west Africans are more compact. It could end in a draw.

South Korea 2-2 Ghana

Read More

07.06. (Tue) 12:30 Japan - Czech

DID YOU KNOW?

Since 1991, the host nation, Japan, have won the tournament ten times, while the Czech Republic lifted the Kirin Cup once, back in 1998.

Three times in the history of the tournament the cup was shared by two teams that ended with the same exact record.

However, the tournament has never featured the three participants with the same scores, a possibility for this 2011 edition, should the third game as well end with the 0-0 tie.

Japan have played nine games with Zaccheroni at the helm, and have never been defeated.

The game in Yokohama will be the sixth away game in a row for the Czech Republic.

Japan occupies 14th place in the FIFA ranking, while the Czech Republic sit in the 32nd spot.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Japan (3-4-3):
Kawashima; Makino, Konno, Inoha; Uchida, Hasebe, Endo, Nagatomo; Honda, Lee, Okazaki.

Hard to predict precisely who will be fielded by Alberto Zaccheroni, after the Italian manager made it clear that his main concern now is to try alternative solutions. There are speculations that he will feature his favourite 3-4-3, but this time with Atsuto Uchida and Yuto Nagatomo on the flanks.

The two will have to adapt to a different role from the one they usually occupy at Schalke 04 and Inter. Another player who might have to adapt to Zac's ideas is Akihiro Ienaga. We might see the Mallorca attacking midfielder in the second half to take Yasuhito Endo's spot in the midfield.

Czech Republic (4-5-1):
Cech; Kusnir, R. Hubnik, Rajnoch, Kadlec; Vacek, Trapp, Petrzela, Kolar, Fenin; Necid

Czech coach Michal Bilek has had to deal with injuries and the absence of many regular starters. In the previous game against Peru he in fact fielded five debutants, including Theodor Gebre Selassie, who has an Ethiopian father, and was the first black player ever to play for the top Czech Republic team.

Experimentation might forcibly continue for the Czech who, just as their Japanese counterpart, are using this tournament to prepare for competitive games coming later next autumn. Petr Cech is the veteran who will lead a group made mainly of inexperienced youngsters.

Prediction

Japan 1-1 Czech Rep.

Read More