Topic: 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup

[child-in-time]

Group1

Team Played W D L GF GA GD Pts Brazil 3 3 0 0 9 2 +7 9 Italy 3 2 0 1 8 8 0 6 Mexico 3 1 0 2 3 5 -2 3 Japan 3 0 0 3 4 9 -5 0 15 June 2013 16:00 Brazil - Japan 3-0 16 June 2013 16:00 Mexico - Italy 1-2 19 June 2013 16:00 Brazil - Mexico   2-0 19 June 2013 19:00 Italy - Japan 4-3 22 June 2013 16:00 Italy - Brazil 2-4 22 June 2013 16:00 Japan - Mexico 1-2 Group2 Team Played W D L GF GA GD Pts Spain 3 3 0 0 15 1 +14 9 Uruguay 3 2 0 1 11 3 +8 6 Nigeria 3 1 0 2 7 6 +1 3 Tahiti 3 0 0 3 1 24 -23 0 16 June 2013 19:00 Spain - Uruguay 2-1 17 June 2013 16:00 Tahiti - Nigeria 1-6 20 June 2013 16:00 Spain - Tahiti 10-0 20 June 2013 19:00 Nigeria - Uruguay 1-2 23 June 2013 16:00 Nigeria - Spain 0-3 23 June 2013 16:00 Uruguay - Tahiti 8-0 Semifinals 26 June 2013 16:00 Brazil - Uruguay 2-1 27 June 2013 16:00 Spain - Italy 0-0 a.e.t. (7-6 pso) Third place play-off 30 June 2013 13:00 Uruguay - Italy 2-2 a.e.t. (2-3) Final 30 June 2013 19:00 Brazil - Spain 3-0 (All times are local (UTC−03:00)) Squads: (Teams must name a 23-man squad by the FIFA deadline of 7 June 2013.) Brazil: Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense), Jefferson (Botafogo). Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Felipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Jean (Fluminense), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Rever (Atletico Mineiro). Midfielders: Paulinho (Corinthians), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Fernando (Gremio), Hernanes (Lazio), Jadson (Sao Paulo), Oscar (Chelsea), Lucas (Paris Saint-Germain), Bernard (Atletico Mineiro). Forwards: Neymar (Santos), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg), Leandro Damiao (Internacional). Italy Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Federico Marchetti (Lazio), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain), Michael Agazzi (Cagliari). Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli). Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus) Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Milan), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Stephan El Shaarawy (Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Bologna), Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus). Japan Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima (Standard Liege), Shusaku Nishikawa (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Shuichi Gonda (FC Tokyo). Defenders: Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka), Yuzo Kurihara (Yokohama F Marinos), Masahiko Inoha (Jubilo Iwata), Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan), Atsuto Uchida (Schalke), Maya Yoshida (Southampton), Hiroki Sakai (Hannover), Gotoku Sakai (Stuttgart). Midfielders: Yasuhito Endo (Gamba), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg), Hajime Hosogai (Hertha Berlin), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow), Hideto Takahashi (FC Tokyo). Forwards: Ryoichi Maeda (Jubilo), Shinji Okazaki (Stuttgart), Mike Havenaar (Vitesse Arnhem), Takashi Inui (Eintracht Frankfurt), Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United), Hiroshi Kiyotake (Nuremburg). Mexico Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa   (Ajaccio), Jesús Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca). Defenders: Carlos Salcido (UANL), Francisco Rodríguez (América), Héctor Moreno (Espanyol), Jorge Torres Nilo (UANL), Severo Meza (Monterrey), Diego Reyes (América), Hiram Mier (Monterrey), Gerardo Flores (Cruz Azul). Midfielders: Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Andrés Guardado (Valencia), Pablo Barrera (Cruz Azul), Ángel Reyna (Pachuca),Jesús Zavala (Monterrey), Javier Aquino (Villarreal), Jesús Molina (América), Héctor Herrera (Pachuca). Forwards: Giovani dos Santos   (Mallorca), Javier Hernández (Manchester United), Aldo de Nigris (Monterrey), Raúl Jiménez (América). Spain Goalkeepers: Casillas (Real Madrid), Reina (Liverpool), Valdes (Barcelona) Defenders: Alba (Barcelona), Albiol (Real Madrid), Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Monreal (Arsenal), Pique (Barcelona), Ramos (Real Madrid) Midfielders: Busquets (Barcelona), Cazorla (Arsenal), Fabregas (Barcelona), Iniesta (Barcelona), Martinez (Bayern Munich), Mata (Chelsea), Navas (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona), Silva (Manchester City) Xavi (Barcelona) Forwards: Torres (Chelsea), Soldado (Valencia), Villa (Barcelona). Tahiti Goalkeepers: Xavier Samin (AS Dragon), Mickaël Roche (AS Dragon), Gilbert Meriel (AS Tefana). Defenders: Vincent Simon (AS Dragon), Teheivarii Ludivion (AS Tefana), Nicolas Vallar (AS Dragon), Stephane Faatiarau (AS Tefana), Tamatoa Wagemann (AS Dragon), Yannick Vero (AS Dragon), Edson Lemaire (AS Dragon), Rainui Aroita    (AS Tamarii Faa'a). Midfielders: Jonathan Tehau (AS Tamarii Faa'a), Lorenzo Tehau (AS Tefana), Alvin Tehau (AS Tefana), Stanley Atani (AS Tefana), Heimano Bourebare   (AS Tefana), Henri Caroine (AS Dragon), Ricky Aitamai (AS Vénus), Yohann Tihoni (AS Roniu). Forwards: Steevy Chong Hue   (AS Dragon), Teaonui Tehau (AS Dragon), Samuel Hnanyine (AS Dragon), Marama Vahirua (Panthrakikos). Uruguay Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Juan Castillo (Danubio), Martín Silva (Olimpia). Defenders: Diego Lugano (Málaga), Maxi Pereira (Benfica), Diego Godín (Atlético Madrid), Martín Cáceres (Juventus), Andrés Scotti (Nacional), Sebastián Coates (Liverpool), Matías Aguirregaray (Peńarol). Midfielders: Diego Pérez (Bologna), Cristian Rodríguez (Atlético Madrid), Sebastián Eguren (Libertad), Walter Gargano (Internazionale), Álvaro Pereira (Internazionale), Egidio Arévalo Ríos (Palermo), Álvaro González (Lazio), Nicolás Lodeiro (Botafogo), Gastón Ramírez (Southampton). Forwards: Diego Forlán (Internacional), Luis Suárez (Liverpool), Edinson Cavani (Napoli), Abel Hernández (Palermo). Nigeria Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Beer Sheva), Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv) Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Francis Benjamin (Heartland FC), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Solomon Kwambe, Godfrey Oboabona (both Sunshine Stars), Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag) Midfielders: Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga), John Ogu (Academica Coimbra), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers) Forwards: Joseph Akpala (Werder Bremen), Michael Babatunde (FC Kryvbas), Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese), Anthony Ujah (FC Cologne). Venues Estádio Governador Magalhăes Pinto (Mineirăo), Belo Horizonte (62,547) Estádio Nacional de Brasília (Estádio Nacional), Brasilia (70,064) Arena Pernambuco, Recife (44,248) Estádio Mário Filho (Maracană), Rio De Janeiro (76,804) Estádio Plácido Aderaldo Castelo (Castelăo), Fortaleza (64,846) Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador (55,000) --------------------------------------- Cheers folks (Nearly said chaps then but I remembered last time Loozy ) There will be a thread I hope. Here you go mate  I have not made my mind who to root for this time. It will be interesting to see what these Tahitian lads are like. Discuss

[loozy]

Brazil are five hours ahead, this is going to be fun... I might make my pupils watch the Spain-matches in English so that they learn about accents and speed etc 

Rooting for Spain for this but am curious to see Tahiti play 

[KERRYKOP]

My money's on the Tahitians

[Samie]

Who's an expert on the Tahitians?

[KERRYKOP]

Who's an expert on the Tahitians?

The league is gone to shit, only watched a few games this season.

[Gifted Right Foot]

Go on Tahiti!!!

[oojason]

Think the BBC have got the rights to this - look forward to hearing the views from their in-depth & informed Tahiti experts...

Tahiti are 5000/1 to win the tournament at William Hill - easy money

[aggerdid]

bit off topic but hows that old fella doing who performs at half time at the maracana. does keepy uppys and he's like 90+ said he wanted to do the 2014 world cup final ht

[Xxavi]

Useless tourney... but I will be watching it. Love footy

I will be rooting for Barca boys, as usual. For Spain though, I hope Del Bosque gives a rest to Xavi, Iniesta, Pique, Pedro and Busquets. Those guys have been playing non-stop for years now. I want Del Bosque to call Isco, Tello and Thiago.

[Redaldinho]

Most certainly will be watching, curious to see the other squads.

Group 1 should be interesting either way.

[Sindri]

Is Lucas completely frozen from the Brazil team now?
Seemed like he had a starting position locked down there before his injury but never seems to get in the squad after his injury.

[Hank Scorpio]

Looking forward to this.

[LFC Boy]

As much as I would love it for Coutinho and Lucas to be in the Brazil squad.

However I want them both safe and sound for the new season and an injury in a pointless tournament can be avoided now.

[dundeered]

Who's an expert on the Tahitians?

Just above Scotland in the FIFA standings

[Johnny B. Goode]

Thought about going to Mexico vs Japan, but...meh. Belo Horizonte is the closest city for me.

Anyway, it'll be cool. Cue massive criticism of every little organization mistake (which will, undoubtedly, happen) occurred during the tournament by the brazilian media 

Maybe Lucas and Coutinho could be in for 2014, though Felipao is a little bit too conservative. Remember Romario (or the lack of) in 2002? That came in handy now because he didn't call up Ronaldinho, who have been in and out messing with the national team running like a dinosaur for 8 years.

[KERRYKOP]

Anyway, it'll be cool. Cue massive criticism of every little organization mistake (which will, undoubtedly, happen) occurred during the tournament by the brazilian media 

And the world media. Whenever a non first world country hosts a global event they report on it like its going to be a catastrophe. Wishful thinking in hope a poor nation wont pull it off so as to make the first world look better.

[bryanod]

Should be interesting warm up for next year, and we'll watch and moan about every game as shag all else to do during June, especially at 11 at night!

[themightybeard]

Tahiti's biggest win was 30-0 v the Cook Islands. They obviously don't piss around. Spain and Uruguay better watch out...

A quick look at Wiki tells me that a fair chunk of their team play for a club called A.S. Dragon. I think it's unquestionable that they will crush everyone at the tournament.

[RedInside]

Tahiti...? So much for taking this tourny seriously.

[Johnny B. Goode]

And the world media. Whenever a non first world country hosts a global event they report on it like its going to be a catastrophe. Wishful thinking in hope a poor nation wont pull it off so as to make the first world look better.

I wouldn't expect anything different, but, to be fair, they'll probably be right in this case. I guess you all probably know how delayed the plans to deliver free-ways, airports, stadiums and hotels are. Which is sickening is that it was very much envisaged, because it's always like this in Brazil. Every construction is late and then winds up being made all of a sudden, with terrible planning and costing almost the double of what was expected in the project.

Don't know if it has been noticed, but the "Engenhăo" stadium, built for the Pan 2007 in Rio, was recently restricted due to major flaws in its structure, so much so that the superior "arc" that surrounds the stadium could fall over a strong wind.

The new stadiums for the WC are apparently very good and pretty, but you can check and confirm that they cost much more than expected, and, along with other works needed in the town, are/were heavily delayed.

[81a]

Diego Cavalieri # 2 for Brazil behind Cesar - Almost forgot he played for us.

Sad that the stadiums are so generic. They could be in any city, in any country in the world.

Unfortunately, that's modern football.

[Reheat Red]

Spain provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
 
Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Ignacio Monreal (Arsenal), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Javi Garcia (Manchester City)
 
Midfielders: Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Benat Etxebarria (Real Betis)
 
Forwards: Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), David Villa (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Roberto Soldado (Valencia), Pedro (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Chelsea).

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-torres-casillas-spain-squad-confederations-cup-110304603.html

[Schmidt]

Spain provisional squad:

So many players who must be absolutely knackered by now, I'm surprised they didn't take a younger, fresher squad.

On the plus side, we shouldn't be losing too many vital players, especially with the Suarez ban giving him an extra rest anyway.

[Xxavi]

Del Bosque seems to not care about what has happened to mentally and physically fatigued Barcelona in CL. The likes of Xavi and Iniesta have played in Euro 2008, Confed Cup 2009, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012 on top of 60+ matches every single season.

Why not give a chance to younger and fresher players for this tourney I don't know.

[Reheat Red]

Del Bosque seems to not care about what has happened to mentally and physically fatigued Barcelona in CL. The likes of Xavi and Iniesta have played in Euro 2008, Confed Cup 2009, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012 on top of 60+ matches every single season.

Why not give a chance to younger and fresher players for this tourney I don't know.

Mata even played in the Olympics!

[lfcrule6times]

Would have liked to have seen Jose Enrique been picked for this. I quite surprised he's never even been capped. At least he gets the rest though

[mikey_LFC]

Hopefully both Lucas and Coutinho can win over Scolari by bossing the Premier League next year. Would be good to see a Brazilian World Cup midfield made up of two LFC players.

Although it'll be very hard for any attacking midfielder to get into the Brazil squad but if anyone can it is Coutinho

[Xxavi]

Mata even played in the Olympics!

Martinez, too!

I guess Mata and Martinez were peripheral in other tournaments, so I can see why they have been included. But some of the first team regulars need a rest. Badly.

Spain also have such a depth that they can try some new players this time around. Who cares about winning Confed Cup anyway? It's a preparation tourney,.

[child-in-time]

All squads (provisional and confirmed) are in. 

[Reheat Red]

Final Spain squad:

Casillas (Real Madrid), Reina (Liverpool), Valdes (Barcelona); Alba (Barcelona), Albiol (Real Madrid), Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Monreal (Arsenal), Pique (Barcelona), Ramos (Real Madrid); Busquets (Barcelona), Cazorla (Arsenal), Fabregas (Barcelona), Iniesta (Barcelona), Martinez (Bayern Munich), Mata (Chelsea), Navas (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona), Silva (Manchester City), Xavi (Barcelona); Torres (Chelsea), Soldado (Valencia), Villa (Barcelona).

[KERRYKOP]

Casillas (Real Madrid), Reina (Liverpool), Valdes (Barcelona); Alba (Barcelona), Albiol (Real Madrid), Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Monreal (Arsenal), Pique (Barcelona), Ramos (Real Madrid); Busquets (Barcelona), Cazorla (Arsenal), Fabregas (Barcelona), Iniesta (Barcelona), Martinez (Bayern Munich), Mata (Chelsea), Navas (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona), Silva (Manchester City), Xavi (Barcelona); Torres (Chelsea), Soldado (Valencia), Villa (Barcelona).

Terryfying to think Irelands B-Team will be playing this lot next week in New York, it could realistically be at eight or nine nil

[Flinstone]

soldado to start?

[Mashy-rawr!nooo]

Llorente injured?

[steveeastend]

Looking forward to the games, especially the Brasil ones.

So far it´s pretty astounishing to watch them again struggling to build a team despite having top players around for every position but not going for simply the best ones.

Dunga made this mistake, Mano and now it seems the two rent boys are about to fall into the same trap by trying to outsmart the simple rules of football.

Hopefully this tournament will be the final wake up call..

[King_doggerel]

Looking forward to the games, especially the Brasil ones.

So far it´s pretty astounishing to watch them again struggling to build a team despite having top players around for every position but not going for simply the best ones.

Dunga made this mistake, Mano and now it seems the two rent boys are about to fall into the same trap by trying to outsmart the simple rules of football.

Hopefully this tournament will be the final wake up call..

Could you elaborate on this?

As far as I can gather the two Liverpool lads should be available, but who else do you speak of?

[steveeastend]

Could you elaborate on this?

As far as I can gather the two Liverpool lads should be available, but who else do you speak of?

Exactly. Then there is Robinho f.e. on the top of my head who may be a little bit of a jerk but overall a top talent who was pretty important within the Dunga squad. For sure he is well rested..

I think that Dunga and Mano have been pretty strange in their decisions when it came to the squad and Parreira and Scolari not too different as they have been experimenting either with players too old or some overrated ones from the brasilian league. Why not going for the best of the best all star option? To me Robinho, Coutinho and Lucas have to be part of this without a shadow of a doubt.

[Reheat Red]

Confirmed Italy squad:

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Marchetti (Lazio), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain)

Defenders: Abate (Milan), Astori (Cagliari), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli)

Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Candreva (Lazio), Cerci (Torino), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus)

Forwards: Balotelli (Milan), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus)

[child-in-time]

Confirmed Italy squad:

Thanks mate 

[Reheat Red]

Thanks mate 

I am your little helper. 

EDIT: Alonso, Benat and Garcia were cut from the Spain squad.

[Popcorn]

Exactly. Then there is Robinho f.e. on the top of my head who may be a little bit of a jerk but overall a top talent who was pretty important within the Dunga squad. For sure he is well rested..

I think that Dunga and Mano have been pretty strange in their decisions when it came to the squad and Parreira and Scolari not too different as they have been experimenting either with players too old or some overrated ones from the brasilian league. Why not going for the best of the best all star option? To me Robinho, Coutinho and Lucas have to be part of this without a shadow of a doubt.

Robinho is gone, he's woeful these days. Ask Ac Milan fans or anyone who regularly watches them what they think of Robinho. Scolari is right not to bring him in. Nowhere near a top talent, a liability at times. So wasteful.

Lucas and Coutinho are debatable. Lucas just back from long term injury and still not back to his best. Scolari was right not to bring him to the Confederations imo, let him have a summer to proper prepare for next season and then have a look and see how he is progressing.

Coutinho's been great for us but he'll have to do it over a longer period of time first. No surprise he's not in their squad yet.