The most hotly anticipated Asian Cup on record is set to kick-off in Bangkok, when co-hosts Thailand take on Iraq at Rajamangala National Stadium in the tournament opener on July 7.
The sixteen team extravaganza will kick-off under grey skies in the east of the Thai capital, with the oppressive humidity expected to play into the hands of the energetic Thais.
Thailand coach Chanvit Polchavin has been in a bullish mood in the build-up to the competition, claiming that his team has "no one to fear."
Iraq, meanwhile, have seen their preparation for the tournament hampered by the on-going conflict currently ravaging the war-torn country.
Nevertheless the physically imposing Iraqis will be aiming to make their fourth successive quarter-final appearance at this tournament, with their opener against Thailand setting out to be a classic case of brain versus brawn.
Thailand's star striker Teerathep Winothai has called on locals to pack the 60,000 capacity Rajamangala National Stadium, as the Thais look to get off to the best possible start in a group that also contains Oman and Asian Cup debutant Australia.
Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com
Bet with Bet 365
World Soccer News
Soccer betting tips
Soccer Books & DVDs
Tags
Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting
|
|---|
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Hate Days are Weak
Smarter people than me, if such a group actually exist, have struggled to find a solution to the threat of terror. Islamic fundamentalists are often berated, but I have a certain amount of sympathy for their plight: if I couldn’t have a bet or a bacon sandwich, I’d probably be suicidal myself.
I don’t want to ram my own theories down anyone’s throat (if I was to ram anything down somebody’s throat, it wouldn’t be a theory), but the only way we can move forward as a multicultural society is to embrace the concept of secularism. The only church I would ever enter is the tubby Welsh one, and I’d need a good few ales beforehand to warm the goggles up.
To hate your fellow man because of the way he lives is absurd, but to hate because of the way a person looks is the height of stupidity. The make-up of skin colour is merely a solitary letter out of the 3.1 billion letters of human DNA. You don’t have to be Stephen Hawking to realise the idiocy of racism, even Mrs Hawking could work that one out; if she wasn’t down the gym working the bags.
The world looked on in disgust as little as 50 years ago in Alabama, when a group of Caucasians chased after anyone with a darker skin. Yet somewhat ironically, the whole of Britain will cheer a repeat in the Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon.
Lewis Hamilton is undoubtedly the natural heir to German cheating-machine Michael Schumacher. Bookmakers are offering odds of 11/4 about Lewis winning at Silverstone, that’s a racing certainty.
I was overjoyed to read that the Ferrari had caught up with McLaren, but my happiness subsided as I realised this had nothing to do with football. As a result of Raikkonen’s win in Paris, Hamilton can now be backed at 8/13 to win the world championship. It’s time to top up.
Tennis is a sport that absolutely refuses to segregate; they’ll happily accept any middle-class youngster into their ranks.
This year’s Wimbledon has been ruined by the atrocious weather. It’s been confirmed that we endured the wettest June for 50 years; only Terry can be happy about that.
I blame the rain for Mauresmo making an early exit from the tournament; you can’t produce your best tennis if your balls are all soggy. I’ve decided to now get on Justine Henin at 4/9, she’s a lucky girl.
Sexism is another one of my pet-hates. I honestly believe that a woman can do anything that a man tells her to. I can’t see any of the girls winning Big Brother though; if I had to point to a winner from any of the original housemates, I could only raise my finger to Amanda. Liam has to be supported at 7/2 for outright glory; it’s one of the best bets ever.
The great thing about cycling is the multinational nature of the sport. A person of any race, religion or sexual orientation can succeed, as long as they’re prepared to put in the years of hard graft needed to find a quality chemist.
Riding a bike in treacherous surroundings may sound unappealing, yet you never hear a word of complaint from Peter Andre. My sources tell me that Alejandro Valverde is a live runner in the Tour De France; I’ll be getting on at 6/1.
Homophobia remains prevalent in today’s society. Personally, I can’t see the problem with Prince Edward bringing up a baby. The 4/6 for England winning their one-day rubber-match against the West Indies is incredibly cute.
Smokers are another group who are unfairly discriminated against. I just hope there’s no truth in the rumour that a young Glaswegian will be prosecuted for lighting up in an airport. The 10/3 for Chile holding Brazil to a draw in their Copa America quarter-final will help recoup any draconian fine.
Copyright (c) Gerry McDonnell & soccerphile.com
Bet with Bet 365
World Soccer News
Soccer betting tips
Soccer Books & DVDs
Tags
Soccer News soccer football Betting
I don’t want to ram my own theories down anyone’s throat (if I was to ram anything down somebody’s throat, it wouldn’t be a theory), but the only way we can move forward as a multicultural society is to embrace the concept of secularism. The only church I would ever enter is the tubby Welsh one, and I’d need a good few ales beforehand to warm the goggles up.
To hate your fellow man because of the way he lives is absurd, but to hate because of the way a person looks is the height of stupidity. The make-up of skin colour is merely a solitary letter out of the 3.1 billion letters of human DNA. You don’t have to be Stephen Hawking to realise the idiocy of racism, even Mrs Hawking could work that one out; if she wasn’t down the gym working the bags.
The world looked on in disgust as little as 50 years ago in Alabama, when a group of Caucasians chased after anyone with a darker skin. Yet somewhat ironically, the whole of Britain will cheer a repeat in the Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon.
Lewis Hamilton is undoubtedly the natural heir to German cheating-machine Michael Schumacher. Bookmakers are offering odds of 11/4 about Lewis winning at Silverstone, that’s a racing certainty.
I was overjoyed to read that the Ferrari had caught up with McLaren, but my happiness subsided as I realised this had nothing to do with football. As a result of Raikkonen’s win in Paris, Hamilton can now be backed at 8/13 to win the world championship. It’s time to top up.
Tennis is a sport that absolutely refuses to segregate; they’ll happily accept any middle-class youngster into their ranks.
This year’s Wimbledon has been ruined by the atrocious weather. It’s been confirmed that we endured the wettest June for 50 years; only Terry can be happy about that.
I blame the rain for Mauresmo making an early exit from the tournament; you can’t produce your best tennis if your balls are all soggy. I’ve decided to now get on Justine Henin at 4/9, she’s a lucky girl.
Sexism is another one of my pet-hates. I honestly believe that a woman can do anything that a man tells her to. I can’t see any of the girls winning Big Brother though; if I had to point to a winner from any of the original housemates, I could only raise my finger to Amanda. Liam has to be supported at 7/2 for outright glory; it’s one of the best bets ever.
The great thing about cycling is the multinational nature of the sport. A person of any race, religion or sexual orientation can succeed, as long as they’re prepared to put in the years of hard graft needed to find a quality chemist.
Riding a bike in treacherous surroundings may sound unappealing, yet you never hear a word of complaint from Peter Andre. My sources tell me that Alejandro Valverde is a live runner in the Tour De France; I’ll be getting on at 6/1.
Homophobia remains prevalent in today’s society. Personally, I can’t see the problem with Prince Edward bringing up a baby. The 4/6 for England winning their one-day rubber-match against the West Indies is incredibly cute.
Smokers are another group who are unfairly discriminated against. I just hope there’s no truth in the rumour that a young Glaswegian will be prosecuted for lighting up in an airport. The 10/3 for Chile holding Brazil to a draw in their Copa America quarter-final will help recoup any draconian fine.
Copyright (c) Gerry McDonnell & soccerphile.com
Bet with Bet 365
World Soccer News
Soccer betting tips
Soccer Books & DVDs
Tags
Soccer News soccer football Betting
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Japanese Soccer News
Japanese Soccer News
J-League News: Gamba lead the way, as the J-League breaks for the summer
Gamba Osaka remain five points clear of defending champions Urawa Reds at the halfway point of the season, as the J-League pauses for a six week summer recess.
Gamba beat Omiya Ardija 3-0 at Komaba Stadium in the last round of matches, with Akihiro Ienaga, Takahiro Futagawa and Magno Alves all getting on the scoresheet.
Urawa overcame Jubilo Iwata 2-0 in front of 35,072 fans at Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi. Former Feyenoord midfielder Shinji Ono scored twice for the Reds, in a match officiated by Danish referee Nicolai Vollquartz. He handed Jubilo defender Makoto Tanaka a straight red card for a professional foul on the half hour mark, leaving Jubilo to battle on with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Albirex Niigata moved into third place on the table with a hard fought 2-1 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima in front of 40,858 fans at Big Swan Stadium. Former Sao Caetano midfielder Marcio Richardes was the architect of the victory, scoring twice for Niigata either side of a Hisato Sato goal.
A massive crowd of 43,117 turned out at Nissan Stadium for the clash between Yokohama FC and JEF United, but the Yokohama fans went home disappointed, as Satoru Yamagishi's early strike proved the difference between the two teams.
Nagoya Grampus Eight veteran Toshiya Fujita became the first player to reach 400 J-League games, however he was unable to fire his team to a home victory against Ventforet Kofu.
Nagoya took the lead through a contentious Frode Johnsen header, after midfielder Keiji Watanabe had seemingly played the ball into touch. Kofu equalised courtesy of a scrappy Daisuke Sudo strike, but the visitors were furious when Sudo had a late winner chalked off by a dubious offside flag, after he headed home a cross from fellow striker Yohei Onishi.
Oita Trinita will spend the summer second from bottom, after they were beaten 3-0 by Yokohama F. Marinos in front of 20,315 fans at the Kyushu Oil Dome. Ryuji Kawai, Yuji Nakazawa and the mercurial Koji Yamase scored the goals for the visitors.
J2
Whilst the First Division breaks for the Asian Cup, the marathon J2 season continues throughout the summer.
Consadole Sapporo lead the way with 50 points, however Vegalta Sendai are six points behind in second place.
Sendai recorded a tough 1-0 win over Cerezo Osaka in front of 15,540 fans at Yurtec Sendai Stadium, with Brazilian midfielder Lopes converting an eighty-fifth minute penalty. That win keeps Sendai in front of third placed Kyoto Sanga FC on goal difference, despite Kyoto's emphatic 4-0 away win over Tokushima Vortis.
Tokyo Verdy and Cerezo Osaka continue to struggle, on 36 and 30 points respectively.
Naoya Kikuchi sacked by Jubilo Iwata
2004 Athens Olympian Naoya Kikuchi has been sacked by his club Jubilo Iwata.
The 22 year old midfielder admitted to having sex with a 15 year old schoolgirl in May, prompting club chairman Hiroshi Ukon to quote in the Japanese media "we need to regain the trust of the fans as quickly as possible."
Meanwhile JEF United have released Bulgarian defender Ilian Stoyanov after the firebrand stopper refused to apologise for claiming that coach Amar Osim did not "understand football" and would lead the Chiba club into the Second Division.
Nabisco League Cup
The quarter-finals of the League Cup kick off on July 7, with Urawa hosting Gamba Osaka in a blockbuster at Saitama Stadium.
Ventforet Kofu clash with Kawasaki Frontale at Kose Sports Park Stadium, while on July 8 Sanfrecce Hiroshima take on Kashima Antlers, and Yokohama F. Marinos face FC Tokyo at Mitsuzawa Stadium.
The return legs take place on the weekend of July 14/15.
Japan National Teams
Japan coach Ivica Osim named his full 23 man squad for the Asian Cup.
There were few surprises, with defenders Marcus Tulio Tanaka of Urawa and Hiroki Mizumoto of JEF United both dropping out through injury.
The five other players to miss the cut were Yohei Nishibe (Shimizu S-Pulse), Masahiko Inoha (FC Tokyo), Keisuke Honda (Nagoya Grampus Eight), Akihiro Ienaga (Gamba Osaka) and Ryoichi Maeda (Jubilo Iwata).
The full squad is;
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata), Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus Eight), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale)
Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama F. Marinos), Keisuke Tsuboi (Urawa Reds), Akira Kaji (Gamba Osaka), Yuichi Komano (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic), Hideo Hashimoto (Gamba Osaka), Naotake Hanyu (JEF United Chiba), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Keita Suzuki (Urawa Reds), Yuki Abe (Urawa Reds), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Satoru Yamagishi (JEF United Chiba), Yoshiaki Ota (Jubilo Iwata), Koki Mizuno (JEF United Chiba)
Naohiro Takahara (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ryuji Bando (Gamba Osaka), Seiichiro Maki (JEF United Chiba), Hisato Sato (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata)
Japan u-20 National Team
Japan have made a great start to the u-20 FIFA World Cup currently taking place in Canada.
Yasushi Yoshida's men recorded a resounding 3-1 victory over the highly fancied Scotland in Victoria.
Japan opened the scoring two minutes before half-time through Cerezo Osaka striker Yasuhito Morishima.
Outstanding Oita Trinita midfielder Tsukasa Umesaki scored a second on fifty-eight minutes, before Nagoya Grampus Eight midfielder Jun Aoyama blasted a thirty yard drive in off Scotland goalkeeper Andrew McNeill.
The Scots struck a late consolation through substitute Ross Campbell.
Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com
Bet with Bet 365
World Soccer News
Soccer betting tips
Soccer Books & DVDs
Tags
Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting
J-League News: Gamba lead the way, as the J-League breaks for the summer
Gamba Osaka remain five points clear of defending champions Urawa Reds at the halfway point of the season, as the J-League pauses for a six week summer recess.
Gamba beat Omiya Ardija 3-0 at Komaba Stadium in the last round of matches, with Akihiro Ienaga, Takahiro Futagawa and Magno Alves all getting on the scoresheet.
Urawa overcame Jubilo Iwata 2-0 in front of 35,072 fans at Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi. Former Feyenoord midfielder Shinji Ono scored twice for the Reds, in a match officiated by Danish referee Nicolai Vollquartz. He handed Jubilo defender Makoto Tanaka a straight red card for a professional foul on the half hour mark, leaving Jubilo to battle on with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Albirex Niigata moved into third place on the table with a hard fought 2-1 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima in front of 40,858 fans at Big Swan Stadium. Former Sao Caetano midfielder Marcio Richardes was the architect of the victory, scoring twice for Niigata either side of a Hisato Sato goal.
A massive crowd of 43,117 turned out at Nissan Stadium for the clash between Yokohama FC and JEF United, but the Yokohama fans went home disappointed, as Satoru Yamagishi's early strike proved the difference between the two teams.
Nagoya Grampus Eight veteran Toshiya Fujita became the first player to reach 400 J-League games, however he was unable to fire his team to a home victory against Ventforet Kofu.
Nagoya took the lead through a contentious Frode Johnsen header, after midfielder Keiji Watanabe had seemingly played the ball into touch. Kofu equalised courtesy of a scrappy Daisuke Sudo strike, but the visitors were furious when Sudo had a late winner chalked off by a dubious offside flag, after he headed home a cross from fellow striker Yohei Onishi.
Oita Trinita will spend the summer second from bottom, after they were beaten 3-0 by Yokohama F. Marinos in front of 20,315 fans at the Kyushu Oil Dome. Ryuji Kawai, Yuji Nakazawa and the mercurial Koji Yamase scored the goals for the visitors.
J2
Whilst the First Division breaks for the Asian Cup, the marathon J2 season continues throughout the summer.
Consadole Sapporo lead the way with 50 points, however Vegalta Sendai are six points behind in second place.
Sendai recorded a tough 1-0 win over Cerezo Osaka in front of 15,540 fans at Yurtec Sendai Stadium, with Brazilian midfielder Lopes converting an eighty-fifth minute penalty. That win keeps Sendai in front of third placed Kyoto Sanga FC on goal difference, despite Kyoto's emphatic 4-0 away win over Tokushima Vortis.
Tokyo Verdy and Cerezo Osaka continue to struggle, on 36 and 30 points respectively.
Naoya Kikuchi sacked by Jubilo Iwata
2004 Athens Olympian Naoya Kikuchi has been sacked by his club Jubilo Iwata.
The 22 year old midfielder admitted to having sex with a 15 year old schoolgirl in May, prompting club chairman Hiroshi Ukon to quote in the Japanese media "we need to regain the trust of the fans as quickly as possible."
Meanwhile JEF United have released Bulgarian defender Ilian Stoyanov after the firebrand stopper refused to apologise for claiming that coach Amar Osim did not "understand football" and would lead the Chiba club into the Second Division.
Nabisco League Cup
The quarter-finals of the League Cup kick off on July 7, with Urawa hosting Gamba Osaka in a blockbuster at Saitama Stadium.
Ventforet Kofu clash with Kawasaki Frontale at Kose Sports Park Stadium, while on July 8 Sanfrecce Hiroshima take on Kashima Antlers, and Yokohama F. Marinos face FC Tokyo at Mitsuzawa Stadium.
The return legs take place on the weekend of July 14/15.
Japan National Teams
Japan coach Ivica Osim named his full 23 man squad for the Asian Cup.
There were few surprises, with defenders Marcus Tulio Tanaka of Urawa and Hiroki Mizumoto of JEF United both dropping out through injury.
The five other players to miss the cut were Yohei Nishibe (Shimizu S-Pulse), Masahiko Inoha (FC Tokyo), Keisuke Honda (Nagoya Grampus Eight), Akihiro Ienaga (Gamba Osaka) and Ryoichi Maeda (Jubilo Iwata).
The full squad is;
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata), Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus Eight), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale)
Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama F. Marinos), Keisuke Tsuboi (Urawa Reds), Akira Kaji (Gamba Osaka), Yuichi Komano (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic), Hideo Hashimoto (Gamba Osaka), Naotake Hanyu (JEF United Chiba), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Keita Suzuki (Urawa Reds), Yuki Abe (Urawa Reds), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Satoru Yamagishi (JEF United Chiba), Yoshiaki Ota (Jubilo Iwata), Koki Mizuno (JEF United Chiba)
Naohiro Takahara (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ryuji Bando (Gamba Osaka), Seiichiro Maki (JEF United Chiba), Hisato Sato (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata)
Japan u-20 National Team
Japan have made a great start to the u-20 FIFA World Cup currently taking place in Canada.
Yasushi Yoshida's men recorded a resounding 3-1 victory over the highly fancied Scotland in Victoria.
Japan opened the scoring two minutes before half-time through Cerezo Osaka striker Yasuhito Morishima.
Outstanding Oita Trinita midfielder Tsukasa Umesaki scored a second on fifty-eight minutes, before Nagoya Grampus Eight midfielder Jun Aoyama blasted a thirty yard drive in off Scotland goalkeeper Andrew McNeill.
The Scots struck a late consolation through substitute Ross Campbell.
Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com
Bet with Bet 365
World Soccer News
Soccer betting tips
Soccer Books & DVDs
Tags
Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
