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World Cup 2006 Predictions: Group A

19 years ago in Group, Team & Standings

For starters, Germany is one lucky team having drawn a group that have Costa Rica 21st, Poland 23rd, and Ecuador 37th in FIFA world rankings. These teams may be a good enough challengers but the home crowd is certainly giving the Germans enough morale and support to muscle their way easily against these three teams.

Our gut instincts — Germany

The Germans will be starting their World Cup bid against Costa Rica who doesn’t have enough firepower to edge its competitors.

Their next opponent will be Poland who may give them a bit of a challenge compared to Costa Rica but would not prove enough to get a win against them.

Ecuador having beaten both Paraguay and Uruguay in an extremely competitive South America Zone will be attacking with confidence having the fearless Fernando Suarez at their side. But it takes more than one man up against the entire nation and a team of muscle and might players.

Unless overconfidence eat this squad; they are most likely to triumph against their group rivals.

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Profile: Ronaldo

19 years ago in Uncategorized

Ronaldo

Believed to be the greatest striker in the world, Ronaldo Luiz Nazario da Lima, was born on September 22, 1976 at Bento Ribero (Rio de Janeiro,Brasil).

The deadliest striker is a combination of both skill and unmatched speed that makes him the last person you want to give a sight at goal; for it shall hit the back of the net more often than you can imagine. His technical soundness for the game has torched so many goalies including extraordinaire Oliver Khan in World Cup 2002 where he scored two goals.

He is a classic example of someone from the remote region and of remote possibilities of success that rose to world elite status.

He is so poor while growing up that he could not even afford the bus fare to play for Flamengo who did not actually pay for the expense. Below is the list of team he played for as taken from About.com.

1988 – Aged 12 years Ronaldo signs for Social Ramos
1990 – Signs Professional Contract, Social Ramos
1991 – Sao Cristovoa – 2nd. Division, Brazil
1993 – Cruzeiro – 1st. Division, Brazil
1994 – PSV Eindhoven – Netherlands
1996 – Barcelona – Spain
1997 – Inter Milan – Italy
2002 – Real Madrid – Current Club

His career is decorated with lots of glory as well as setbacks, which has a lot to do with the injuries he suffered. Being the warrior he is, he kept on coming back from one injury to another to get more goals and more glory.

His finals convulsion in 1998 against France followed by career threatening injury did not stop him from reclaiming glory during the 2002 World Cup that made him the only player to score two goals against the formidable Oliver Kahn.

Some of the most notable awards he has received are found below:

Dutch Cup – 1996
FIFA World Player of the Year – ’96, ’97, ’02
European Footballer of the Year – ’97
European Player of the Year – ’02
World Cup 2002 Top Scorer – 8 goals

Who would not want to be the guy growing from rags to riches like Ronaldo. A dream come true. Not to mention his exotic girlfriend despite his not-so-handsome appearance. Ooop!

Nevertheless, the world needs someone like you!

Goal

Goal

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‘…stick together,’ insists Beckham

19 years ago in News & Features

England captain David Beckham wants the focus to be back to the World Cup and put aside whatever distraction coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has brought because of his departure after the World Cup.

‘The most important thing is we move on from this. For two weeks it’s been a circus and the focus has been taken away from the team and what we want to accomplish in the World Cup finals. We need to stick together and forget what has happened,’ Beckham told The Sun.

I believe England doesn’t have much of a chance this year in winning the World Cup. Beckham is hopeful still.

‘I didn’t know Sven was going, I had no clue whatsoever. It’s sad but, hopefully, in the end it might not be sad at all. If we go all the way in the competition, it would be a great ending for him.’

‘Yes, there’s a new manager coming in, but Sven’s the one who will be taking us to Germany. People ask if it will affect morale but it won’t. It’s the biggest competition in the game and we want to win it.

Beckham knows the kind of loyalty they have between each other.

‘Every one of the players has a great relationship with this manager. We will stick by him and he will stick by us.’

Beckham as the team captain of England is doing his job in encouraging his teammates to be one unit looking at one common goal. I may not be a big fan of them winning the World Cup finals but moments like this builds the character of the team. The question lies on how strong it is for the competition. What do you think?

Beckham : Both Feet on the Ground: An Autobiography

Beckham : Both Feet on the Ground: An Autobiography

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Ronaldo: Deadliest Striker on his Injury

19 years ago in Uncategorized

The deadliest striker in the world and Brazilian legend says about his injury:

“These things happen in football,” he said. “If I was a lawyer, this sort of thing wouldn’t occur. What I need now is a change of luck.”

Ronaldo has a torn right calf muscle, which he suffered in the first half match against Villarreal on Jan. 8. He is now undergoing treatment and would sideline the 29 year old legend for three weeks. This is something familiar to him already.

Remember the injuries he suffered prior to World Cup 2002 where he led Brazil to the Promised Land? This guy is mentally strong and he would definitely be good in time for the World Cup.

I just hope that luck would be there for him and all his fans alike though.

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