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Post by 10 - Nick McCabe on Jun 7, 2006 22:58:31 GMT -5
The first round of games in Group C of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany gets under way at 21:00 CET on Saturday 10 June, with Argentina renewing their quest to regain the crown they last won 20 years ago. Facing them in front of a packed house in Hamburg will be debutants Côte d'Ivoire. The playersArgentina coach Jose Pekerman has put his faith in the crop of players he nurtured during his time in charge of the national youth teams that included among others Juan Pablo Sorin, Esteban Cambiasso and Juan Roman Riquelme. In doing so Pekerman has cast aside seasoned campaigners such as Javier Zanetti, the most capped Argentine international still in action today. His counterpart on Saturday, Henri Michel, had no such surprises in store, however, the Frenchman remaining faithful to the players who took Côte d'Ivoire to Germany and then all the way to the final of the recent CAF African Cup of Nations. Not surprisingly Didier Drogba, the side's star striker, captain and talisman, is among them. How they qualifiedThe Albiceleste confirmed their finals place back in June 2005 with a handsome 3-1 win over eternal rivals Brazil in Buenos Aires, some three games from the end of the qualifying tournament. The Elephants turned the form book on its head when they edged out Cameroon in Group 3 in Africa following a 3-1 win over Sudan on the final day of qualifying. Previous meetingsThe two sides have met just once before, in the 1992 King Fahd Cup, the precursor to the current FIFA Confederations Cup. On that occasion the South Americans, coached by Alfio Basile, ran out comfortable 4-0 winners with goals from Gabriel Batistuta (2), Ricardo Altamirano and Alberto Acosta. Tournament historyThis is Argentina's 14th appearance at the finals. The Albiceleste have won the title twice (1978 and 1986) and finished runners-up on two other occasions (1930 and 1990). In stark contrast, Germany 2006 represents the Africans' first ever appearance at the finals. Key contestRiquelme versus Drogba. Pekerman is pinning his hopes on the sublime talents of Riquelme, who has been handed the legendary No.10 shirt for the first time in his international career. The Villarreal midfielder is the Argentines' master schemer and has the ability to win games single-handedly with inch-perfect passes and wicked drives from distance. Lining up against him will be the iconic figure of Drogba, the Elephants' main striking threat and inspirational skipper. The Chelsea forward was the second highest scorer in the African qualifiers and will be hoping to use his power and goalscoring acumen to shepherd his side through the tournament. CoachesAfter forging his reputation with the country's youth sides, Pekerman stepped up a level in September 2004 when he replaced Marcelo Bielsa as Argentina coach despite a lack of full international experience. Tactically unpredictable, the 56-year-old imposed his authority in leaving out the likes of Zanetti and Walter Samuel from his final 23-man squad. Two years older than his rival on Saturday, Henri Michel made his name as a player with Nantes before coaching France to Olympic gold in 1984. His reward for that achievement was promotion to the full job, and Michel duly guided France to Mexico 86 before reappearing at USA 94 as coach of Cameroon. Twelve years on, the experienced tactician is looking to score a major success with his adopted Côte d'Ivoire. No words...  |
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Post by Mogly on Jun 7, 2006 23:27:51 GMT -5
Man don't be nervous... Argentina will get the first place of this group. I think you'll beat Cote (sp) d'Ivoire by a couple of goals. it's a shame Tevez won't be in the starting line-up..... and Pekerman better put Messi soon cos I have him in my Fnatasy team ;D
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tyler
Oasis Roadie
Posts: 437
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Post by tyler on Jun 8, 2006 2:37:19 GMT -5
The first match for a great team is always a question mark, and everything is more difficult when you play against a young and highly talented squad like Cote d'Ivoire.
Far far away the best match of the beginning of the WC, I won't miss it for anything in the world!
Impossible to make a prevision for this match.....
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2006 5:06:59 GMT -5
i say argentina 2-1 late winner
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Post by MG on Jun 8, 2006 6:56:45 GMT -5
I hope Argentina win tomorrow, but it wouldn't suprise me if it ends up in a draw.
Can't wait for this match!!
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Post by Gazza316 on Jun 8, 2006 10:57:48 GMT -5
Think Arg should prob win but i wouldn't underestimate IC they wont be a bad team at all. I reckon Arg will finish 2nd in the group i just fancy the orange army to pip them.
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Post by brumoscardo on Jun 8, 2006 11:24:36 GMT -5
Very tight game but I'll go with the Argies on this one. Experience counts a lot for the first match but I'm sure Ivory Coast will do alright on the next ones.
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Post by eva on Jun 8, 2006 14:21:28 GMT -5
arg 3-2 drogba will score twice  hope I'm wrong ;D |
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Post by 10 - Nick McCabe on Jun 8, 2006 18:31:00 GMT -5
Lo que vamos a sufrir si es como vos decis la puta madreeee Jajajaa!
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Post by 10 - Nick McCabe on Jun 10, 2006 4:03:50 GMT -5
Argentina starting line up: Abbondanzieri, Burdisso, Ayala, Heinze, Sorin, Maximiliano Rodriguez, Mascherano, Cambiasso, Roman, Saviola & Crespo  |
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tyler
Oasis Roadie
Posts: 437
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Post by tyler on Jun 10, 2006 5:05:45 GMT -5
Argentina starting line up: Abbondanzieri, Burdisso, Ayala, Heinze, Sorin, Maximiliano Rodriguez, Mascherano, Cambiasso, Roman, Saviola & Crespo Where the fuck are Messi and Tevez? Is Pekerman gettin mad? Anyway, it's a great starting line-up |
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Post by MG on Jun 10, 2006 13:04:02 GMT -5
I'll say 2-1, Crespo double.
Really hope to see messi tonight!
This is the first match I've really been looking forward to!
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Post by Bruno on Jun 10, 2006 14:26:10 GMT -5
Crespo once.
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Post by brumoscardo on Jun 10, 2006 16:11:37 GMT -5
Fuckin referee. ARG didn't deserve to win, 2 shots 2 goals. Not a fair result, a shame really. But CIV is so weak on defense. FFS
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Post by Meltdown on Jun 10, 2006 16:13:42 GMT -5
Good match. Riquelme was great. First time I saw him playing |
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Post by MG on Jun 10, 2006 16:29:27 GMT -5
I'll say 2-1, Crespo double. Really hope to see messi tonight! This is the first match I've really been looking forward to! Was a good match untill Argentina decided not to attack after the two goals. They played great at times and really showed their class, They did deserve to win, Ivory Coast are a good team and nearly got something out of the game. Except for one or two Riquleme's passes were superb. Crespo is gonna be a threat for the golden boot this year. COME ON THE 'TINA!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Post by 10 - Nick McCabe on Jun 10, 2006 16:50:26 GMT -5
Fuckin referee. ARG didn't deserve to win, 2 shots 2 goals. Not a fair result, a shame really. But CIV is so weak on defense. FFS ;D  Good victory, well done. Thanks ROMY for your magic mate, 2 passes, two goals. C´monnnn ARGENTINAAAA!!! ;D ;D ;D   |
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Post by Jazzvi on Jun 11, 2006 7:16:20 GMT -5
argentina played a good match. when they were 2 up they killed the game and just in the last 15 minutes ivc did something, i thought they would have something else because of all of the talk going on with this team but its just drogba. If argentina plays like last night they should end 1st of their group without many problems.
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Post by eva on Jun 12, 2006 9:37:33 GMT -5
I didn't like how they played. they never had control of the game, the midfield was weak and didn't recover any balls. and besides I never understood the substitutions and why the coach try to defend the 2-0 during the whole second half instead of having the ball with riquelme and another one to help him (like aimar, tevez or messi) and try to finish the game with a bigger difference.
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como sufrí en el final, loco!!!!
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Post by 10 - Nick McCabe on Jun 12, 2006 23:57:44 GMT -5
Jajajajaa!! "Como sufri al final, loco!!" 100% argenta. Yo no podia mas desde que escuche el himno, sufro mucho man! Mas si el MAESTRO de Pekerman hace cambios como el de Lucho x Saviola, armando un 4-5-1 que x momentos era un 5-4-1 con Mascherano metido atras como un central mas. Pone a Carlitos o a Messi, Jose, x favor!! Y es verdad eva, cuando nos pusimos 2 a 0, estaban entregadisimos los elefantes, solo teniamos que ir para adelante y terminaba 4 a 0 facil, cosa que JAMAS HICIMOS y hay que MODIFICAR con SUMA URGENCIA. O sea, somos ARGENTINA. Serbia, Montenegro, los que sean, x ustedes vamos... |
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Nov 4, 2024 5:04:30 GMT -5