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Post by Caslav Klonimirovic on Jun 17, 2009 19:40:57 GMT -5
Soccer rankings are ridiculous.
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Post by zgembo on Jun 18, 2009 8:56:27 GMT -5
It's ridiculous that the USA is ranked so highly on account of playing against inferior North American competition. But if you just look at European teams, it is in line with performance (and as such is as objective of a ranking as you can get).
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Post by SKORIC on Jun 18, 2009 9:04:43 GMT -5
That list hasnt counted the confederations cup yet so i think that the USA will lose alot of points and drop below us after already being smashed by Italy and will lose to Brazil and probably even against Egypt. That is if that list is accurate.
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Post by bob1389 on Jun 18, 2009 9:11:11 GMT -5
lol, USA v Brasil ...it hasn't been 10 mins yet and its already 1-0 for Brasil.
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Post by manijak on Jun 18, 2009 10:20:27 GMT -5
Brazil makes it 3-0..nice give and go.
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Zvone
Amicus
Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Posts: 525
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Post by Zvone on Jun 18, 2009 11:39:12 GMT -5
Don't masturbate over the idea just yet.
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Post by bob1389 on Jun 18, 2009 19:04:27 GMT -5
Don't masturbate over the idea just yet. I'm out of the contest.
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Post by bob1389 on Jun 22, 2009 23:32:24 GMT -5
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Post by bob1389 on Jul 7, 2009 0:56:16 GMT -5
Euro countries that have have so far missed out on any chance for 2010; Albania, Malta, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Kazakhstan, Andorra, Georgia, Iceland
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Post by SKORIC on Jul 20, 2009 2:39:52 GMT -5
World Cup 2010 Team Profile: Serbia A side boasting one of the best defenders in world football in Nemanja Vidic, one of Serie A's most successful footballers in Dejan Stankovic and a young Man Utd starlet in the making cannot be underestimated. Feizal Rahman tells us all about Serbia's World Cup chances. Had political circumstances been far less bloody, then a united Yugoslavia team - with world class players from Serbia and Croatia combined, along with the best from the other republics - would surely have been amongst the best in the world. Or at the very least would have made a bigger impact on the international stage than each independent nation alone has managed. However, where Croatia enjoyed relative success in the late 1990's, and experienced a brief revival recently under current coach Slaven Bilic, it is Serbia who have become the dominant ex-Yugoslav country. Now managed by the highly respected Radomir 'Raddy' Antic, the Serbian national team is a blend of hungry, promising youngsters and highly experienced internationals. With his vast knowledge of the game - having managed six Spanish clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona - Antic has led this current Serb side to the top of their World Cup qualifying group, ahead of France, with six wins from seven and 15 goals scored (2.1 to win European Zone Group 7). A similarly impressive qualifying campaign ahead of the 2006 World Cup, where they finished undefeated in their group above Spain, was let down by disappointing showing in Germany with three defeats in a 'group of death' including Argentina, Holland and the Ivory Coast. Yet, like many 'new' nations, lessons learned from such losses can only be of benefit for the future and with the continued improvement of key players over the coming season, a strong showing in South Africa can be expected. They are 100.0 to win the 2010 World Cup. Nemanja VidicFor the last three seasons, Nemanja Vidic has been a rock at the centre of the Manchester United defence and ,with one of the meanest backlines in the Premier League, it can be no coincidence that the Old Trafford club has gone on to win three consecutive titles (3.4 to make it four in 2009/10). With his fearless commitment to both tackling and heading, Vidic has been likened to former United captain Steve Bruce and cutting a cyborg-like figure at the back, opposition attackers are frequently intimidated by his mere presence. Named in the PFA Team of the Year in each season he has played in England, for much of last season the centre-back was touted as a Player of the Year candidate and was the long-time favourite for the award. A rare slip-up when up against Liverpool's Fernando Torres in a 4-1 home defeat proved he is no machine but it probably says more about his qualities that when Vidic does make a mistake, it has greater impact on the team than that of others. As a senior member of the Serbian squad, Vidic will be relied upon for his leadership and big-game experience at the World Cup and with further club honours expected in the coming season, a solid performance in South Africa will be a major target. Dejan StankovicIt seems like he's been around for ever but at only 30 years of age, Dejan Stankovic is still going strong in Serie A. Part of the star-studded Lazio team that won the Scudetto in 1999-00, the versatile midfielder moved to Inter in 2004 and has enjoyed further success with a fourth consecutive league title won last season (1.98 to make it five next season). With the arrival of new Inter coach, Jose Mourinho, last summer, Stankovic - who was loyal to predecessor, Roberto Mancini, since their days at Lazio - was linked with a move to rivals Juventus (La Vecchia Signora 3.6 to win Serie A 2009/10) but has instead gone on be a key player under the Portuguese, being handed a 'fantasista' role behind the front two. For his national side, Stankovic plays a more traditional centre midfield role where he is more able to fulfil his duties as captain but he remains capable of filling in on either flank as he has done most of his career. With numerous fledgling talents pushing for a place in the national side, South Africa could be Stankovic's last chance at international success and like all of his compatriots, he will be looking to make the eye-opening impact that finally puts Serbia on the footballing map. Nikola ZigicAt nearly 6ft 8in, it's no surprise that Nikola Zigic is the main target man for Serbia. While not necessarily prolific with his own goals - only two scored so far in World Cup qualifying - the striker's very obvious presence and ability to hold the ball up, allows for attacking partners to find the net and also to create chances for oncoming midfielders. A dream move to Valencia in 2007 has proven more of a nightmare with limited first team opportunities resulting in only one goal scored for Los Che. A loan move back to previous club Racing Santander in the second half of last season saw an upturn in fortune, with 13 goals in 19 appearances, leading to reported interest from numerous European clubs. Having spoken of a desire to move to England for next season, Zigic has recently been strongly linked with Blackburn Rovers (9.8 to be relegated) as a replacement for Roque Santa Cruz, although Sunderland (14.5 to finish Top 6) and Tottenham Hotspur (5.3 to win Premier League without Big 4) are also rumoured to be eyeing the towering frontman. In need of consistent first team action, Zigic will be hoping to continue his recent good form for a new club and head to South Africa with his country in confident mood. Zoran TosicAn international since 2007, 22-year-old Zoran Tosic was snapped up by Manchester United last season in a January transfer window deal along with Partizan Belgrade team-mate, Adem Ljajic. As a natural left winger, Tosic is being hailed as the future successor to Old Trafford legend, Ryan Giggs, when the 35-year-old eventually retires. Despite the Welshman showing no signs of hanging up his boots just yet, the young Serb may be handed more opportunities to prove himself in the coming season with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid - perhaps more so in the domestic cup competitions (United 5.3 to win FA Cup, 7.0 to retain Carling Cup in 2009/10). Said by manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, to be more in the mould of a box-to-box David Beckham than a tricky Ryan Giggs, Tosic will view the coming year as a crucial one as he looks to secure a first team place for both club and country. However many appearances he makes next season though, the future looks bright for the midfielder and he may very well end up being the Serbian Beckham.
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Post by Caslav Klonimirovic on Jul 20, 2009 2:52:27 GMT -5
Tosic is a nobody atm. Big deal being at Man U playing ressies. We have much better young players like Gojko Kacar who is just a brilliant player & even achieved far more. And Krasic has been our best attacking player. He has a specific technique but is also amazingly quick. I predict the Kosovo Serb to be even more of a star. Great photoshop
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Post by bob1389 on Aug 4, 2009 22:24:38 GMT -5
Antić bez Vidića u AfriciSelektor fudbalske reprezentacije Srbije Radomir Antić objaviće u petak spisak igrača za prijateljski meč sa Južnom Afrikom, na kome neće biti Nemanje Vidića. Najbolji fudbaler Premijer lige za prošlu sezonu propustiće meč zbog povrede članka koju je zadobio još pre dva meseca na utakmici sa Austrijom. Na spisku za meč, koji je zakazan za sredu 12. avgust u Pretoriji, nalaziće se 18 imena. Utakmica počinje u 19 časova na stadionu Loftus Versfeld kapaciteta 51.762 mesta.
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Post by bob1389 on Aug 7, 2009 10:11:23 GMT -5
List of players that are available for South Africa friendly next week, announcement made earlier today
Golmani:
Vladimir Stojković (Sporting Lisabon),
Željko Brkić (Vojvodina).
Defenders:
Branislav Ivanović (Čelsi),
Nenad Tomović (Đenova),
Neven Subotić (Borusija Dortmund),
Aleksandar Luković (Udineze),
Antonio Rukavina (Minhen 1860),
Ivan Obradović (Partizan).
Midfielders:
Miloš Ninković (Dinamo Kijev),
Zdravko Kuzmanović (Fiorentina),
Gojko Kačar (Herta Berlin),
Miloš Krasić (CSKA Moskva),
Radosav Petrović (Partizan),
Zoran Tošić (Mančester junajted),
Milan Jovanović (Standard Lijež),
Marko Milinković (Košice).
Strikers:
Nikola Žigić (Valensija),
Danko Lazović (PSV Ajndhoven).
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Post by bob1389 on Aug 7, 2009 10:47:29 GMT -5
Antic reshuffles Serbia's squad for South Africa friendlyBELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia coach Radomir Antic has dropped several regulars and called up three debutants for their friendly against South Africa in Pretoria on Wednesday. Having described the match as a perfect test for Serbia ahead of their World Cup qualifier with France next month, Antic left out wingers Bosko Jankovic and Miralem Suljemani, captain Dejan Stankovic and Nenad Milijas. He included uncapped goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic as well as midfielders Radosav Petrovic and Marko Milinkovic for the match against the 2010 World Cup hosts. "The friendly is a good opportunity to test some young players and try out several different formations ahead of the closing stages of our qualifying campaign," Antic told a news conference on Friday. "South Africa impressed in this summer's Confederations Cup and I am confident they will bring the best out of my team," said Antic. The Serbians top Europe's Group Seven with 18 points from seven matches, eight ahead of 2006 finalists France who have two games in hand.
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Post by bob1389 on Aug 11, 2009 8:24:46 GMT -5
International Friendly Preview: South Africa - Serbia
The South Africans are confident after a successful FIFA Confederations Cup run which allowed them to come fourth in the competition, playing well against Spain and Brazil, while winning over many of their critics along the way.
The confidence gained during the tournament will serve Bafana well in the coming months, with preparations for the World Cup going into high gear with under a year to go before the showpiece event. European opposition has been a great test for the South Africans, and they have been able to pull off wins against Poland and Norway in recent games, while losing twice to Spain and once to Portugal.
Bafana coach Joel Santana, reportedly suffering from pneumonia, is due back in South Africa from Brazil on Tuesday to continue his own World Cup build-up programme, but only after his condition has improved. His illness has kept him from being heavily involved in the selection and training of the squad over the last few days, with his assistants taking over in his absence.
Serbia Aiming To Return In 2010
Serbia, who are ranked 14th in the world, have not brought all their top guns to play Bafana, but still look formidable. Coach Radomir Antic has drafted in three uncapped local-based players in goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic and midfielders Radosav Petrov and Marko Milikovic. Antic has left out his skipper, Dejan Stankovic of Inter, plus his two wingers, Bosko Tankovic and Mitahem Suljemani.
Serbia head their World Cup qualifying group ahead of former world champions France on 18 points from seven matches and look certain to qualify for the 2010 World cup in South African next June. They are eight points clear of second placed France who have two matches in hand.
Ranked 14th in the world against Bafana's modest 72nd, the crafty Serbs' main handicap may not be so much the absence of their contingent of top luminaries, but the fact that they are arriving in South Africa less than 36 hours before the kick-off at Super Stadium following an overnight flight. Coach Antic is viewing the friendly against the 2010 World Cup hosts as a trial run for next month's key game against France and his players will be suitably motivated while vying for their places in the World Cup qualifier.
TEAM NEWS
South Africa
The technical team made four changes from the squad that was selected for the Confederations Cup and Henyekane is the only uncapped player in the 23-man squad. The other three changes are the return of Orlando Pirates classy left-back Lucas Thwala, Kaizer Chiefs winger Abia Nale and New SuperSport United midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi. The four players left out are FC Twente striker and star of the Confederations Cup, Bernard Parker, who picked up an injury with his new Dutch club, Pirates defender Innocent Mdledle and his new Bucs teammate, Terror Fanteni, plus injured Amakhosi star Siphiwe Tshabalala.
Squad: Baloyi, Booth, Davids, Dikgacoi, Fernandez, Gaxa, Gould, Henyekane, Khumalo, Khune, Mashego, Masilela, Mhlongo, Modise, Mokoena, Moon, Mphela, Nale, Nkosi Siyabonga, Pienaar, Sibaya, Thwala, Van Heerden.
Serbia
Raddy Antic has dropped several regulars and called up three debutants for this friendly. Antic left out wingers Bosko Jankovic and Miralem Suljemani, captain Dejan Stankovic and Nenad Milijas. He included uncapped goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic as well as midfielders Radosav Petrovic and Marko Milinkovic for the match against the 2010 World Cup hosts.
Squad: Stojkovic, Brkic, Ivanovic, Tomovic, Subotic, Lukovic, Rukavina, Obradovic, Ninkovic, Kuzmanovic, Kacar, Krasic, Petrovic, Tosic, Jovanovic, Milinkovic, Lazovic, Zigic.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
South Africa
Golden Arrows striker Richard Henyekane finally got his long awaited Bafana Bafana call-up when he was named in the 23-man squad to play Serbia at Atteridgeville's Super Stadium. Henyekane was controversially left out of Bafana head coach Joel Santana's Confederation Cup squad in June, despite finishing as the Premier Soccer League top goal scorer at the end of the season. His strength and pace coupled with good finishing make him a tough striker to deal with.
Serbia
Zdravko Kuzmanovic is one of Serbia’s most promising players, with incredible talent and an eye for goal. The Fiorentina man will be a key player for his country against South Africa, and he will be aiming to further improve Serbia’s ranking with FIFA. Shots from distance and marauding runs make the midfielder a threatening attacking player for both club and country.
PREDICTION
South Africa are full of confidence after a successful Confederations Cup tournament, and they are desperate to make the most of there schedule of games before next year’s World Cup, but Serbia will be a tough side to beat, with the high FIFA ranked European side providing a stern test for Bafana.
South Africa 1-1 Serbia
Peter Pedroncelli, Goal.com
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Post by SKORIC on Aug 11, 2009 21:56:22 GMT -5
10 Facts about Serbia1. Serbia are currently ranked 14th in the world. Their highest ranking was 8th in May 1998 with their lowest a mere 47th in the world in December 2005. 2. The White Eagles made their first appearance in the World Cup in 1930 and have featured 10 times, making it to the semi finals in 1930 and 1962. 3. Serbia are currently top of their 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification group with six wins from seven games. 4. Goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, formally of Getafe and now a free agent, was destined to play between the posts as his mother was a handball player! 5. Serbians can be found relaxing in a number of the country's radioactive springs; some of which have more then 11.5 Mach units of radioactivity, which is used for treatment by bathing, drinking, gargling as well as inhaling. 6. Michael Jackson caused an uproar amongst Serbians when he was photographed wearing a royal Serbian medal around his neck upon entering a not-guilty plea at his hearing on child molestation charges in California. The Order of the White Eagle could be seen hung around his neck from a red and white ribbon. A member of the Royal Council was reported to have said: "Michael Jackson is an ordinary donkey who thinks that the Order of the White Eagle "looks good on him" and tomorrow he'll wear something else for the same reason". 7. Serbia is the largest exporter of raspberries in the world. 95% of the world's top quality raspberries come from Serbia. 8. Bernard Parker made a name for himself in the Serbian league with Red Star Belgrade but was released after the club found themselves in financial trouble and were unable to pay their players. 9. There are currently three Serbians in the English Premier League: Nemanja Vidic at Manchester United, Branislav Ivanovic at Chelsea, Zoran Tosic at Manchester United. (While South Africa have Aaron Mokoena at Portsmouth, Steven Pienaar at Everton, Elrio van Heerden at Blackburn Rovers, Benni McCarthy, also at Blackburn and Kagiso Dikgacoi at Fulham.) 10. Serbia and South Africa have never played against each other.
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Post by bob1389 on Aug 12, 2009 6:52:14 GMT -5
Decent line-up. We should be able to get a result.
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Patrinos
Amicus
Peloponnesos uber alles
Posts: 4,763
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Post by Patrinos on Aug 12, 2009 7:10:31 GMT -5
Two of the best Serbian footballers: Predrag Djordjevic And my favourite: Darko Kovačević
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Post by bob1389 on Aug 12, 2009 8:04:15 GMT -5
Predrag has become a cult figure in Greek football. Over a decade with Olympiakos and probably would have gone on more if not for his heart condition. I remember on his retirement a Greek newspaper did an entire page of him showing every year he played, and almost every year he held up the league trophy. Legend
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Post by SKORIC on Aug 12, 2009 13:59:03 GMT -5
Serbia wins it 3-1. South Africa scored right at the end at injury time.
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