World Cup 2014
England National Team struggles felt less in Manchester where United and City are the fan favorites
The past week has been a roller-coaster for England’s footballers. Firstly, there was the pointless World Cup qualifier against the hopeless minnows of San Marino, whose population would barely fill more than a third of Wembley. A 5-0 win was the least that could have been expected. Following this came a seriously difficult two days [...]
Liverpool stars Martin Skrtel, Luis Suarez and Pepe Reina all potential casualties of the International Break with England players still left in limbo
International football is nowhere near as revered as it used to be. World Cups and European Championships were showcases for the best players in the world and the only time you’d ever really see a collection of superstars coming together. In this era of football with the Champions League having taken all of that shine [...]
Clint Dempsey Brace leads USMNT into next round of World Cup 2014 Qualifying
The qualifying games for the World Cup are over for 2012. The U.S. Men’s National Team looked energized and reinvented as their biggest star Clint Dempsey, who plays in the English Premier League for Tottenham Hotspur, seemed his old self scoring a brace while defender and captain Carlos Bocanegra added another goal to see the [...]
Steven Gerrard tells Wayne Rooney ‘hands off’ as he reclaims his arm band ahead of Poland
Steven Gerrard has been the captain of Liverpool for nearly a decade, and his taste for leading his club by example has only strengthened in that time. However, since the arrival of Roy Hodgson as England manager earlier this year, the proud leader has taken on the massive role of captaining his country. This past [...]
Everton defender Phil Jagielka wants to be England’s next John Terry
Everton defender Phil Jagielka has been waiting a long time to get his chance to make his mark on the England national team. Where you are the next generation closest to former England central defenders Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United and Chelsea captain John Terry, it is hard to find your place in the first [...]
Poland vs. England: Downtrodden Poles In Good Form to Trouble Three Lions
England have not lost a competitive fixture against Poland in 39-years. It is a record most would expect to remain unbroken for at least another week following Poland’s toothless display at Euro 2012 and the media’s backing of the new John Terry-less Three Lions. However, Tuesday October 16th’s match in Warsaw-sold-out despite some major doubts [...]
Danny Welbeck, Gareth Bale and Top Performing EPL Internationals in European World Cup Qualifying
Although the Premier League took a week off, that doesn’t mean that the elite of the English top flight weren’t in action during the qualification for Rio 2014. Whether they’re at the top or the bottom of the FIFA world rankings, anyone can shine when playing on the international stage. That being said, some stars [...]
England National Review: All Systems Go for the FA as Rooney Earns the Plaudits in Dominant Victory
It’s been a busy week for the England team, both on the field and off it. Not only did they have a World Cup Qualifier to contend with, but issues involving Twitter as well as the opening of the Football Association’s new center of excellence have contributed to a week full of talking points regarding [...]
Gareth Bale Brilliance Delights Dazzling Dragons as Wales defeat Scotland
Gareth Bale enacted a ten-minute turnover that saw Wales go from bottom of the pile and back into Group A contention. The match signaled the first Welsh victory with Chris Coleman at the helm of the nation and will undoubtedly buoy the Dragons on their quest for 2014 World Cup qualification. Craig Levein’s side looked [...]
Lionel Messi vs. Luis Suarez: Analyzing Two of the World’s Best after Argentina out fire Uruguay
In a hugely important World Cup qualifier in the CONMEBOL region, Argentina faced off against Uruguay Friday night in a game that looked to be a hotly contested match. However, Argentina laid it on Uruguay, finishing the match with a comfortable 3-0 scoreline that saw La Albiceleste rise to first spot in the CONMEBOL standings [...]
USMNT in unimpressive pursuit of the World Cup
The United States Men’s National Team has not missed a World Cup since 1990. It may not miss the one in 2014 but if they qualify, it would be in an unimpressive way. USMNT have the advantage of competing in CONCACAF – the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football. The region is [...]
England v. San Marino Preview: Hodgson’s men must put 10+ goals past San Marino
When it comes to today’s gripping World Cup Qualifier between England and San Marino there should be only one question on everyone’s mind - Will England hit double digits in goals scored? It’s a feat that is absolutely vital if Roy Hodgson’s squad intends on making a serious run at winning the World Cup in [...]
Which Real Madrid or Barcelona Players will have Biggest Impact for Spain in World Cup Qualifiers?
Spain resume their World Cup 2014 qualification campaign over the coming week with two fixtures against Belarus (away) and France (home) in UEFA zone qualifying Group I. Manager Vicente del Bosque has named a squad of 23 players for the two matches, with Spanish sides Real Madrid and Barcelona contributing a combined 13 of those [...]
Wales vs. Scotland: Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey and Sunderland’s Steven Fletcher among Players to Watch in Home Nations Clash
Group A comes to the British doorstep this weekend as Wales play hosts to Scotland in the first of two fixtures between the Home Nation representatives. Chris Coleman’s Wales are currently bottom of the pool’s pile and are yet to pick up a point in their qualifying campaign thus far. The Scots are in somewhat [...]
Serbia vs. Belgium: Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and top EPL Players to Watch in WCQ Showdown
In a few hours, the joint leaders of Group A in UEFA World Cup Qualification will meet for what is sure to be a thrilling encounter in Belgrade. Both Serbia and Belgium enter the match with one draw and one victory respectively, having both comfortably defeated Wales and drawn their other match of the group [...]
Ireland vs. Germany: Preview of World Cup 2014 Qualifier from UEFA Zone Group C
The FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifiers get back under way over the next few days and the UEFA zone has thrown up some interesting encounters, including Ireland vs. Germany in Group C. So far it has been plain sailing for the group favourites Germany, who have picked up six points from six and sit top [...]
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