February 2006 - page 2

There will be 12 cities to host the games in the upcoming World Cup. In the next postings; we shall be looking and analyzing every game to be played in each of these areas. For now, below is the list of these cities:

North

HAMBURG
Stadium: FIFA World Cup stadium (AOL-Arena)
Capacity: 45,442
Matches: Five – four in first round and one quarter-final.

HANOVER
Stadium: FIFA World Cup Stadium (AWD-Arena)
Capacity: 39,297
Matches: Five – four in first round and one last-16 match

Keep Reading

Among the negative news we have received from the resignation of the England’s coach to Ronaldo’s injury the possible cancellation of the World Cup is by far the most frightening.

It has been reported that a deadly bird flu virus is said to have made it in the north of the country — Rugen that may leave organizers without choice but to cancel the World Cup. The president of the Agricultural Parliamentary Committee warned that a possible outbreak would simplify the decision of canceling the World Cup.

This does not bode well on the reputation of the organizers especially because of the criticisms it received on their ticket allocation methods and the safety standards currently in place.

The twenty year old Manchester United striker is confident England will win World Cup 2006 in Germany banking on their 3-2 friendly games win over Argentina.

His statements published in soccernet espn are bold and precise —

‘Of course we are going to win the World Cup,’ Rooney told The Sun. ‘We are all really excited by Germany and everyone in the team knows we are good enough to do the business.

‘I have spoken to Stevie Gerrard about this and we both reckon we have the players to do it.

‘The main thing is we go out there and give our best. But I will do everything I can to help us win the World Cup.’

Michael Owen scored two dramatic late goals to earn England victory against Argentina in November, and Rooney said: ‘Beating them like that has done wonders for our confidence.

‘We were able to run at their defenders and commit them to making tackles in areas they didn’t want to.

‘We really piled the pressure on to them and once we did that, I don’t think they could live with us.’

Well, that was pretty sleek but he should remember everyone going into the World Cup has confidence competing and bringing home the most coveted award in the world.

Every 20-year-old thinks he can conquer and rule the world but it takes more than confidence to win it at that level. The kind of level where confidence and character are defined and stable. It takes a great deal of experience and skill to deliver the killer’s instinct and wins.

England World Cup 2006 Track Top

Brazil winning over England in World Cup 2006 is the prediction of three time World Cup winner Pele. He argues that Brazil has got two teams and losing any player is irrelevant. Both Italy and England on the other hand need to have the players from start to finish if they are to capture the World Cup title.

If Brazil wins it shall mark the second time South Africans have won the World Cup in Europe. Europeans normally win because they are accustomed to the climate and are playing in front of their home town. This is actually true in any sporting event where the home town always has the advantage in winning against their visiting opponents. World Cup happens only every four years and the venue is not always in Europe. This makes the upset of the visiting country less likely.

But given the firepower of Brazil from Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka, etc. they are most likely to overcome all odds. Whether England or Italy does not lose a player they will encounter immense amount of difficulty against the Brazilians until they fall and crumble apart.

Pele also hinted that Czech Republic and the Ivory Cost might be sleeper teams that will claim the ultimate glory.

The 2006 World Cup is scheduled to start in Munich on June 9 with 23 teams going after the goal.

Soccer – FIFA World Cup Vol 3 – 1978 – 1986