Archive for the World Cup Category

World Cup Brazil 2014 Qualifying Draw

Posted in World Cup, World Cup 2014 on August 2, 2011 by Tartan Army Soldier

The draw has been made for the World Cup 2014 qualifying stages. Teams were drawn in Rio De Janeiro on June 30. Scotland were selected into Group A and will face Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Macedonia and Wales.

I reckon that’s a fairly good draw for Scotland. None of these teams are pushovers. I can’t see any teams that will guarantee us 6 points, like San Marino or Iceland, but at the same time we could have ended up a lot worse. We have avoided teams like Holland or Italy who would have posed a significant challenge. None of the teams drawn are beyond a motivated Scotland team.

Away form could be the key. I reckon Scotland are good enough to beat any of those teams at Hampden. And with that 15 points we just need to secure some decent results away from home. Croatia and Wales have a decent history, but have faltered in recent years. And none of the other 3 are sure-fire world-beaters. With a bit of luck and a determined effort it should be beyond the Scotland squad to lead us on a Brazilian journey to the finals in 2014.

And if the SFA could avoid agreeing to Scotland playing matches in Macedonia, Croatia or Serbia in the height of summer, that would be a big help too.

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FIFA say no to World Cup England 2018

Posted in England, FIFA, World Cup on December 3, 2010 by Tartan Army Soldier

England won’t be hosting World Cup 2018. FIFA have instead selected Russia to organise this event.

England presented what they believed to be a winning bid to FIFA. Being the ‘home of football’, having all the required stadiums and facilities and a solid financial plan, they were optimistic that the World Cup finals 2018 were destined for English shores. FIFA, however had other plans.

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England 0 – 0 Algeria

Posted in England, World Cup, World Cup 2010 with tags , on June 19, 2010 by Tartan Army Soldier

LOL. I am so glad I’m not English. Obvious reasons aside, last night’s match was the dullest, most uninspiring 90 minutes of football I have ever seen. Luckily, I greatly appreciate the scoreline.

So far it doesn’t look great for England. Slovenia are most likely to win the group, and England’s performance so far doesn’t suggest they will stand in their way. Then it’s likely to be USA or England taking second place. With an easier match, I reckon it’s going to be USA. Enough said.

Come on Slovenia! Go USA!

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England 1 – 1 USA

Posted in England, World Cup, World Cup 2010 on June 12, 2010 by Tartan Army Soldier

England has been going bonkers about it all day. It was time for the England team to start their World Cup 2010 campaign, facing the USA at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenberg. England were, not surprisingly, favourites to win.

England started well. Gerrard quickly helped them take the lead after only 4 minutes. This was to underline the English dominance of most of the the first half. However, the USA goalie was outstanding keeping England attacks from extending the lead.

The USA never stopped trying to get back into the match. And this eventually payed off. With a little help from England goalkeeper, Robert Green’s fumble, Clint Dempsey shot the ball over line. USA were back in the game. And that was how the first half ended.

There were no goals in the the second half.  The English threatened the US goal a few times but the American keeper saw off the English attacks, leaving the scoreline 1-1. And that was pretty much it.

Beth, the GF in USA, was quite pleased.

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England prepare for the World Cup, but I’m supporting USA

Posted in England, World Cup, World Cup 2010 on June 5, 2010 by Tartan Army Soldier

It’s almost started. World Cup 2010 is almost here. And living in England, I know this only too well.

England flags

Everywhere I go people are getting ready for the football to begin. All around flags are flying from cars and hanging in from bedroom windows. I only have to step out of my front door to see it ‘slap-bang’ in my face.

I guess I can’t really blame them. It is England, the fans are loyally supporting their country, and I have to suffer it as long as I choose to live here. But, spending last weekend in Glasgow I appreciated a nice break from it all. Being dragged to a bar to watch the England v Japan World Cup warm-up match by some well-meaning friend was just right out of the question.

USA Team

USA Team

Anyway I’ll have to make the best of it. I’m just going to enjoy the football and hope the usual numbnut pundits aren’t too much of a pain. Plus, I’m lucky to being heading off to the USA to see my American girlfriend. So, I’ll miss the English TV commentary for the second half of the tournament. And, even better, I have a perfectly respectable reason to hope England get stuffed in their opening game. Come on USA!!!

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Beckham delivers 2018 World Cup bid

Posted in England, FIFA, World Cup on May 14, 2010 by Tartan Army Soldier

England have submitted an application to host World Cup 2018. As reported by the BBC, David Beckham has delivered England FA’s bid to FIFA chief Sepp Blatter. And with Blatter describing England as “the motherland of football” it may be that England are already lined up to host the event.

So what does it mean for Scotland fans? On one hand if England win we’ll never hear the end of it. The constant media gloating will be even worse than the 1966 droning. However if they fail to win the pundits will be shut up for a while. And, with it being a while since a home team won the world cup the odds are against England.

I’m in favour of England’s bid. With most venues being in easy travelling distance there will be no need to scramble about for flights, accommodation, etc, all of which I will appreciate greatly.

I just hope the Scotland team are up to qualifying.

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World Cup Draw 2010

Posted in England, World Cup with tags , on December 4, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier

The World Cup draw took place today. Unfortunately, Scotland were absent, again.

OK, the Scotland Squad isn’t there, but we’re all going to be watching. The action starts on June 11 with South Africa playing Mexico and I’ll be watching from then on.

As ever the English media are moaning. The England team has been drawn against the USA, Algeria and Slovenia. By my reckoning that’s one of the easier groups, but true to form the ‘experts’ are complaining.

The full draw was as follows:

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Group B: Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece

Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D: Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia

Group E: Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark

Group F: Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia

Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Cost, Portugal

Group H: Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland

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George Burley sacked – no surprise

Posted in World Cup with tags , , , , on November 16, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier
George Burley

George Burley, Scotland Coach 2008-2009

I just read on the BBC football pages, George Burley was sacked earlier today.

It’s hardly a shock. After the 3-0 drubbing in Cardiff it didn’t look good for Burley. That, together with the recent dire World Cup qualification attempt, the SFA had to let him go. And having followed Scotland’s impressive efforts under both Smith and McLeish, this downturn was hard to bear. The SFA had, in my mind, no choice but to act.

Now the question is being asked, who’s going to manage the Scotland team going forward? Hopefully someone with a bit of passion.  Sounness? Strachan? I’d like to see Walter Smith back, but that’s unlikely. Whoever takes the job, let’s hope they can inspire the team and fans like not so long ago. Then we can think about maybe having a chance in Euro 2012.

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