Trumpet

74 with Aguero and Yaya bonus points to come and Myhill to play. Have finally figured out the captain dilemma. City play at home = Captain Aguero , Liverpool play at home = Captain Suarez

replaced Lukaku with Remy

Not sure if it's a point gained or 2 dropped for us. That Allen miss was really a game changer.

My dad is, so I'm half. He took me to Iran-Japan WC qualifier in 2005 when we were visiting there. I was 14, and it was 100k packed stadium. 7 people sadly died in the aftermath of the game for being over-crowded. It was one of my best footballing experience (Iran won) until the tragedy folded out.

http://www.footballgroundmap.com/georgecostanza Seriously need to move permanently to Europe. This is not good

Sturridge may well be out for tomorrow from what I'm reading (Thanks Roy)....so it'd probably be a good move to put him on the bench, or make sure your first sub can deputize well if he doesn't play.

Not disputing that. Being exposed to more European scouting and hence better talent nurturing and well, having less oil money (which keeps a lot of Asian talents spending their careers getting rich instead of trying ambitious moves to Europe to enhance their development) has definitely played a part. Was talking more as units and teams. not individuals.

Twenty years is nearly the entirety of the African presence on the world stage, so that comment either makes no sense or is irrelevant. Why barring Ghana? Because of close victories over the United States for two tournaments? In their two group stage exits Ivory Coast have collected 0 points from Brazil, Argentina, and Holland, 1 point from Portugal, and 6 points from Serbia and North Korea. Not exactly informative results. Even Nigeria, we lost to Argentina 1-0 in the first matches of our last two matches, took the lead in the second, had things go pearshaped and it was done. WC is quick, luck matters a lot. I back Japan (none of the other Asian sides, though) to be very competitive in Brazil, but I also back CIV, Nigeria, and Ghana. Algeria and Cameroon are less likely, just because the talent isn't as strong. I agree with Deuce that African teams seem the lack the mentality to make it count when it matters most, and my criticism was more towards almost all African teams being more highly rated than a team like Korea. Ghana have had a lot of great results in their last 2 world cup and not only 2 wins vs. USA. They beat a very good Czech team in Germany, and Serbia's golden generation team in South Africa. Narrowly lost to Germany, and were a Suarez handball away from the Semis. They deserve a lot of respect. And the dominance they showed in absolutely destroying Egypt definitely makes them Africa's best bet to make an impact on the world stage. Nigeria had a weird showing in 2010. They lost their first 2 game narrowly (second one after going a man down), but were still a shocking Yakubu miss away from qualifying to next round. What's gotten me is the dislike and discontent towards Lars Lagerback for Nigeria's performance in 2010. If Nigeria were simply unlucky, why is he getting such a bad reputation for that? Since you're from there, it'd be interesting to hear the Nigerian fan's opinion of 2010 campaign. You guys seem to be a lot better this time around, and as I said, I think you'll have a better showing. Thankfully, this world cup Asia won't have a team who will embarrass the continent (Saudi 8-0, and North Korea 7-0 spring to mind), so I'm just comparing their relative impact compared to those of Africa. I get the vibe that African football gets a lot of more hype than Asian football, and I believe it's due to the fact that more African players play their trade in top European leagues compared to Asians. I think it's a lot closer between the two continents. As you said though, it depends on the draw. I'd like to see a lot of head-to-head type games between Africa and Asia. In 2010, the record went 1 win for either side and 2 draws.

I think African sides, barring Ghana, are being extremely over-rated in eyes of the public. All of them, bar Ghana, have been irrelevant in world cup stage for almost 2 decades now. Cameroon especially, I really don't get the hype around them. must be Eto'o, but they were for me the worst team in South Africa. Nigeria seem to have bounced back after a bad spell, but it can go either way for them. Ivory Coast are the most over-rated of the lot. A lot of stars and hype around them, but nothing to show for their golden generation. England of Africa. Was a shocking miss away from elimination. I think Ecuador should be higher on the list as well. In fact, I think any team already in South America stands a great advantage over teams of other continents. I'm willing to bet Asian teams will do a lot better than African ones this world cup.

Your manager in the qualifiers was a bit of a dick, wasn't he? Going on about how he'd love Uzbekistan to qualify for the World Cup, and he'll crush Iran's dreams and all. Glad he got binned. South Korea is usually a class side with a lot of dignity, and deserves a class manager. Not that clueless clown who was a 96th minute equalizer in Beirut away from sending you guys to play-offs against Uruguay.

Remy and Cabaye in my FF team. A hattrick of goals and assists for the pair hopefully.

2 Academy coaches sacked (including the guy Benitez stole from Barca back in 2009). Rodgers refused to comment, but rumoured to been negotiating with Man City behind the scenes. Be interesting who replies them. Jose requires a knee surgery and could be out for a lengthy period of time. As mad as it sounds, wish Downing was still around to play Left Back.

Fulham tipped to sign Anderson in January (must be that new ex-United coach recently going there). When it rains, it pours.

Welbeck's high work rate selfless play on the left side suits Hodgson's system more than Sturridge. I can't see Rooney and Sturridge both shining together while playing 4-4-2, and sacrifice has to be made, and the superior player is of course Rooney. Welbeck on the other hand, competes with likes of Milner/Chamberlain/Young for the LF spot, and I think he fits it better than his competitors. Looks good for Sammy's future chances for England, though it'd be canny of Nigeria called him up on Shola's advise for the WC.

I think one positive for England is, they won't be playing utterly useless players in their starting XI compared to the last 2 major tournaments. 2010 had Heskey and Matthew Upson as starters 2012 had Ashley Young and Scott Parker as starters ------------------------Keeper------------------------- Johnson------Jagielka---------Cahill-----------Cole-- ---------------Carrick--------Gerrard----------------- -----------------------Wilshere------------------------ --Walcott------------Rooney------------Welbeck----- would be my starting XI at the WC. will leave some decent options on the bench as well. as shit as Cole's been this season, I still trust him to be one of the top-performing players for England at a major tournament. CB options probably not good enough for that stage individually, but Roy's system will suit them. Keeper? well, just as England thought they had it finally figured out, it's gone tits up again.

Am I the only one who thinks this current Greece team is being underrated? They were even decent (and a lot more entertaining compared to before) in Poland in 2012....and with this Portuguese coach, they are a lot more adventurous than Rehaggel days. Nice to see them qualify. Gives their people something to cheer about considering their shit economic state. Always great to see. I reckon they can give any team a decent run for their money.

Townsend has been pretty shit since last international's in October, Spurs fans crying for him to be benched. Has truly believed his hype and refuses to pass. Should get back on the bench once Walcott is fit. Twice the player with much more game intelligence.

Both Kuba and PEA are better on the right, and I have Bale there. Mkhitaryan over Hamsik maybe as well. Ramsey/Sahin was hard to decide. But, Europe aside, in all other continents there was virtually zero upsets. Rare to see that in a WC. Hell even in Europe, nothing unusual with today's results.

You reckon he'll stick around for a couple of years to play in Euros ? Considering it'll be 24 teams, Sweden have a fantastic chance to get there. Really hope he has one last international swansung. Was pretty sad to see him beaten tonight

Tried to make a XI of best team (of non-qualified nations) who'll miss out on the WC ------------------------Cech---------------------- Piszcec--------Agger--------Vidic-----------Alaba ---------------Sahin--------Matic----------------- ---Bale--------------Hamsik--------------Rosicky -----------------Ibrahimovic--------------------- Tried to play players in their best position, as opposed to fit all the best players in one team.

Belgium, Greece, Honduras, Algeria.

Of course exaggerated, but not too far fetched. If you recall Euro 2012, the best shots were from Polish/Ukrainian/ and Swedish fans. Though some people like latinas, which will be aplenty due to 6 South American teams + 2 Iberian sides. Still, Germans and Italians and the Dutch are there.

Russia and Brazil only genuine countries with pretty fans now with all Nordic and Eastern European teams eliminated.

Already excited for the "World Cup Beautiful Fans" thread. This was one the highlights of Euro 2012 for me. http://img.izismile.com/img/img5/20120612/1000/euro_2012s_gorgeous_female_fans_25.gif

Reykjavik national stadium where Iceland and Croatia face off on friday. Photo taken a couple of days ago. What a place to have your managerial debut for Niko Kovac !