Footy Speak

Following Luke Young’s decision to never play for England again, I’d also like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from international football with immediate effect.

Well, looks like I was right. If there was an insane bookies, I could of made a fortune! I really don’t rate Heskey as much as other people do. I mean, sure he works hard, gave people a target, and setup a couple of chances. But I miss the days of Owen, where his speed could create a goal out of nothing. How unfair on Defoe aswell, 9 goals in his last 9 England game appearences (or so I hear) – and he STILL doesn’t get a start. Yet again, Heskey missed a sitter – I don’t want to rely on that, at the world cup.

The England womans team made us proud, up until last night. They reached the European Championships final, for the first time. They were down 2 nil to start, then pulled one back. Germany scored again making it 3-1, only for England to crawl back another. It seemed like it would be a fairly tight game, even against the MIGHTY German women. However. It wasn’t to be, the game ending at 6-2 to the deserved Germans.

Germany’s Euro success was their fifth in a row, and they have also won the last two World Cups.

Simply put, you don’t beat Germany.

Big game tonight guys! I’m really excited – it’s going to be a goal bath, I’m sure. SO sure infact, I’ve placed a £50 bet on there being over 2.5 goals scored, i.e 3 goals, throughout the entirety of the match. That should return me a healthy profit. Anyway, back to the football!?

The main questions being asked before the match kicks off, is, who will start up front for England? Yahoo Eurosport put up a poll the other day, and take a look at the resutlts.

So, Defoe should be starting right? I wish there was a bookies which would take bets on this NOT happening, I’d bet my whole life savings on the fact that Heskey starts. England need someone like Heskey up there, or Crouchy. Why? Because the second Croatia put any pressure on us, we’re going to be blasting the long balls ALL night. I must say, Heskey is rather good at keeping the ball up there. Defoe, on the other hand, is a whole other can of beans.

Anyway, thats it for now. I’m planning on writing my next article on why I think Owen should at least still be in the squad. C’MON ENGLAND!

Qualifying stage will be underway this weekend for the 2010 FIFA World Cup which is going to be hosted by South Africa. 32 teams from around the world will qualify for this month long tournament that is scheduled to be held from 11th June to 11th July 2010.

All the teams have been divided into zones according to their geographical location. So in all there are 6 zones from which the teams will advance into the 2010 finals. The 6 zones are as follows;

Africa
Asia
Europe
North, Central America and Caribbean
Oceania
South America

Each zone has been allotted different number of tickets to the finals. Asia has been provided with 4.5 tickets. This means 4 teams out of 43 teams of Asia zone will qualify for sure but the 5th team will have to play two legged play offs against the winner of Oceania zone.

Japan, Australia, Korea DPR and Korea Republic have already qualified for the 2010 finals from the Asia zone. The third placed team from both the qualifying groups of the Asia zone Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will contest in a two legged play off. The first leg will be played on 5th September in Bahrain and on 9th September the second leg will be played in Saudi Arabia. The winner will play against Oceania zone winner New Zealand over two legs. The winner will get a ticket to the 2010 finals.