A place to discuss those that have been called into international duty this week. http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=53544 In addition to those mentioned Saha should make his debut for France. I'm hoping to watch Netherlands-USA and a tape-delayed Ireland-Brazil.
I'm hoping the Lucky Bar replays the England-Portugal, Netherlands-USA, and Ireland-Brazil games as I can't make it there until at least 6:00pm or so...
I am most intriguied by the fact that Beckham and Ronaldo will be going up against each other tomorrow....surprised this match-up between the former RW at OT and his heir apparent isn't getting a little more press. And of course US-Holland is a fascinating match and an important "where are we now" match for the USMNT.
I'd think Timmy will play the 1st half, and it sounds like the Dutch are taking this relatively seriously, based on some of Advocaat's comments. Will definitely be great to see Ruud vs. Tim
This way Ruud can score a hat trick in the first half, Tim comes on for the second half, and Ruud goes out and the game ends 3-0.
O'Shea and Kleberson are playing in Dublin. Kavanagh did a job on Gilberto Silva and Silva was substitued after 13 mins. Dida had to make a good save from O'Shea....
About 3-4, I didn't want to confuse anybody. About the US Team winning? Sure, but it's only a friendly.
Great, Ruud has been described as "spiking the ball into the net like a volleyball"! Carded for that . . .
Saha was fouled in the box and would have been given a PK, but the ref played advantage which allowed Govou to score for France in their friendly against Belgium. 1-0 at the half
2022: GOAL Wales 2-0 Scotland Robbie Earnshaw rises to meet Ryan Giggs' cross from the left and his header deflects off a Scotland defender and into the net.
GOAL Northern Ireland 0-1 Norway A mistake by Maik Taylor in the Northern Ireland goal allows Morten Pedersen to mop up the spilled ball and rifle it into the roof of the net. Wasn't aware that Maik Taylor was from Northern Ireland. He's played very well this year, I guess with Roy Carroll warming the bench and only getting the reserve matches, it's Taylor's job to lose now - which he might do with another mistake or two.
GOAL Northern Ireland 0-3 Norway Steffen Iversen extends Norway's lead with a well-taken shot that sees the ball go through Maik Taylor's legs.
Kleberson came off at half-time for Brazil. He blasted a shot just over the bar from outside the penalty area during the first half and meshed well with the other talent out there. He did OK from what I can glean so far....
Giggs was subbed out at half-time for Wales and did well, contributing the assist for Wales second goal. Fletcher has played the whole match up to this point for Scotland, I don't know how well he's played, but they are losing 3-0 to Giggsy's Welsh side.
Belgium 0 France 2 Govou 44'. Saha 74" "Zidane fools the whole defense with a blind pass to Saha who doesn't miss the opportunity in front of the goal."
Scholes, Butt and P. Nev are in the starting lineup according to soccernet's matchtracker while C. Ronaldo is on the bench for Portugal.
http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=53698&itype=466&icategoryid=120 Saha's been in great form lately
BUY ROBBEN If there was any doubt before, let there be none now. This kid was absolutely electric for the Dutch today, scoring an excellent goal against the otherwise solid US defense. I'm seriously drooling at the thought of young Arjen on the left wing, with Ronaldo on the right. He is worth at least as much as we paid for Ronaldo, if not more.
Re: BUY ROBBEN I was almost praying to a higher power while watching that game that we sign Robben during the summer. At times, the style of his play is so reminiscent of Giggs, it's scary.