Latest News
Showing posts with label Squad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Squad. Show all posts

No Walcott in England Final 23

Posted by Sajith on Thursday, June 3, 2010 , under , , | comments (0)




England boss Fabio Capello has revealed his squad numbers for the World Cup in South Africa, with Joe Cole, David James and Peter Crouch in his first 11.
James has been given the number one jersey, while Crouch is handed the number nine shirt ahead of Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey.
Cole gets the number 11 jersey and now may have a chance of starting against the United States on 12 June.
As expected, Spurs winger Aaron Lennon will wear the number seven.
Holding midfielder Gareth Barry, an almost certain starter before suffering an ankle injury on 5 May, has been given the number 14 shirt. It remains to be seen whether he recovers full fitness in time for Capello to play him in the opening match.

606: DEBATE
Who would be in your England side for the first game against the United States on 12 June?
If not, the squad numbers suggest Joe Cole will play on the left of midfield, with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard reunited again in the centre.
Robert Green's excellent display against Mexico last week saw many observers tip him to be England's first-choice goalkeeper at the tournament but Capello has chosen to give the West Ham keeper number 12, with Joe Hart wearing 23.
The Italian has preferred Heskey up front throughout most of England's successful qualifying campaign, with Wayne Rooney also admitting he enjoys playing with the burly Aston Villa striker.
But Crouch has been given the prized number nine shirt - worn by the likes of Peter Beardsley and Alan Shearer in previous World Cups - and now appears to be the favourite to start against the States.
The squad numbers do not confirm which players are first-choice, but they are usually a good barometer of who is likely to play in the opening match - barring injuries.
"No one's safe," said captain Ferdinand. "The manager isn't scared to leave out people with big reputations if he feels they won't have a positive impact on the squad.

Goalkeeper James now looks in pole position to start in England's first match
"Reputations may have got in the way in the past, but it is difficult being the England manager. You have to be experienced and have a strong character to deal with the pressure, and he [Capello] deals with everything in the right way.
"It's impossible to second-guess the manager, to know what he is thinking. There's no room for complacency, perhaps that's a better way of putting it. You can't say to yourself, 'If I have two or three bad games, I'm still going to play', which was the attitude of some in the past."
Gerrard, meanwhile, is refusing to look too far ahead but is confident England can top their initial group.

"I think we can get out of the group as winners and then we take the last-16 challenges on," he said.
"I do not really want to look any further ahead but we have a good mix of experience and fresh talented youngsters."
Capello has nine days of preparation with his squad before their opening Group C match at the 45,000-capacity Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
The team landed at Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport at 0800 BST on Thursday after an 11-hour flight from London.
The squad headed straight to their base for the duration of the tournament, the newly built multi-million pound Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus at Rustenburg.
Full England World Cup squad numbers
1. David James
2. Glen Johnson
3. Ashley Cole
4. Steven Gerrard
5. Rio Ferdinand
6. John Terry
7. Aaron Lennon
8. Frank Lampard
9. Peter Crouch
10. Wayne Rooney
11. Joe Cole
12. Robert Green
13. Stephen Warnock
14. Gareth Barry
15. Matthew Upson
16. James Milner
17. Shaun Wright-Phillips
18. Jamie Carragher
19. Jermain Defoe
20. Ledley King
21. Emile Heskey
22. Michael Carrick
23. Joe Hart

Van Persie, Babel and Kuyt in Dutch World Cup squad

Posted by Sajith on Friday, May 28, 2010 , under , , | comments (0)



Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has named his final 23-man squad for the World Cup after dropping four players.

Defenders Vurnon Anita and Ron Vlaar as well as midfielder Orlando Engelaar and forward Jeremain Lens have been cut.
Six British-based players are in the squad, including Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt from Liverpool.
Celtic defender Edson Braafheid, John Heitinga from Everton, Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong and Robin van Persie from Arsenal are given the nod.
Left-back Anita's omission came just a day after he made his international debut as a second-half substitute during the Netherland's 2-1 win over Mexico in a warm-up match in Germany.
Centre-back Vlaar forced his way into the preliminary squad after an impressive season with Feyenoord but was unable to seal a place in the final party.
Midfielder Lens was a surprise inclusion in the original squad and Van Marwijk has opted to take Babel instead.
PSV Eindhoven forward Otman Bakkal and midfielders Wout Brama (FC Twente) and David Mendes Da Silva (AZ Alkmaar) were all omitted from an original 30-man squad 10 days ago.
Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was not considered.
The Dutch, who have yet to win the World Cup despite reaching two finals in 1974 and 1978, have been drawn in Group E alongside Denmark, Japan and Cameroon.
They are due to play friendlies against Ghana (1 June) and Hungary (5 June).
Squad: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Sander Boschker (FC Twente), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht); Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (HSV), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Andre Ooijer (PSV); Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Stijn Schaars (AZ), Wesley Sneijder (Inter), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV); Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Eljero Elia (HSV), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).

Argentina Squad - Diego Milito Makes Maradona’s Final 23-Man Roster

Posted by Sajith on Thursday, May 20, 2010 , under , , | comments (0)




According to the Argentinian news agency Telam, Diego Maradona has settled on his final 23-man squad for this summer's FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the biggest surprise came with the inclusion of Inter forward Diego Milito.

Despite Milito’s breathtaking form for Inter this season, leaving the club on the verge of a historic treble, the 30-year-old looked unlikely to make the cut. With Maradona thought to have already decided to take five forwards to South Africa, it was widely thought amongst the Argentinian media that Milto would miss out in favour of Boca Juniors veteran Martin Palermo. However, in typically erratic fashion, Maradona has pulled a U-turn and elected to take the Inter man to South Africa after all.

Elsewhere, there will be relieved looks on the faces of Colon defender Ariel Garce and especially Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore. The 20-year-old has enjoyed an impressive season in Serie A for the Rosanero but is yet to earn a single cap for his country (his one appearance in an Argentina shirt came in the friendly with Catalonia and was not recognised by FIFA).

On-loan Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez will also breathe a sigh of relief. For much of the year, the Atletico Madrid man looked certain to miss and will feel vindicated in his decision to find more first-team action at Anfield.

The players cut from Maradona’s original list of 30 are Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli) Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle) Jesus Datolo (Olympiacos), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Juan Mercier (Argentinos), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus) and Juan Insaurralde (Newell’s).

Of those unlucky seven, Olympiacos winger Jesus Datolo will probably feel most unfortunate to lose his seat on the plane. The former Boca star, on-loan from Napoli, consistently impressed when called upon by Maradona, scoring a marvellous goal against Brazil in qualification and grabbing one against Russia in a friendly match in Moscow.

Argentina's 23-man World Cup squad in full

Goalkeepers
Sergio Romero AZ Alkmaar (NED)
Mariano Andujar Catania (ITA)
Diego Pozo Colon
Defenders
Nicolas Otamendi Velez Sarsfield
Gabriel Heinze Marseille (FRA)
Martin Demichelis Bayern Munich (GER)
Walter Samuel Inter (ITA)
Ariel Garce Colon
Nicolas Burdisso Roma (ITA)
Clemente Rodríguez Estudiantes
Midfielders
Juan Sebastian Veron Estudiantes
Javier Mascherano Liverpool (ENG)
Jonas Gutierrez Newcastle (ENG)
Angel Di Maria Benfica (POR)
Maximiliano Rodriguez Liverpool (ENG)
Javier Pastore Palermo (ITA)
Mario Bolatti Fiorentina (TA)
Forwards
Lionel Messi Barcelona (ESP)
Gonzalo Higuain Real Madrid (ESP)
Carlos Tevez Manchester City (ENG)
Sergio Aguero Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Diego Milito Inter (ITA)
Martin Palermo Boca Juniors

Spain Squad Final 23

Posted by Sajith on , under , , | comments (0)



Vicente del Bosque has confirmed Spain's 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Two big names who successfully made the cut were Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes and young forward Pedro Rodriguez. Also included in the final-23 was Athletic Bilbao's 21-year-old central midfielder, Javi Martinez.

However, del Bosque had to make a number of surprising exclusions. There was no place for Euro 2008 hero Marcos Senna and Villarreal team-mate Santi Cazorla, while one of the coach's reliable favourite, Dani Guiza was also omitted.

Spain's 23-man World Cup squad in full:

Goalkeepers
Iker Casillas Real Madrid
Pepe Reina Liverpool (ENG)
Victor Valdes Barcelona
Defenders
Sergio Ramos Real Madrid
Alvaro Arbeloa Real Madrid
Carles Puyol Barcelona
Gerard Pique Barcelona
Raul Albiol  Real Madrid
Carlos Marchena Valencia
Joan Capdevila Villarreal
Midfielders
Jesus Navas Sevilla
Xabi Alonso Real Madrid
Xavi Barcelona
Javi Martinez Athletic Bilbao
Cesc Fabregas Arsenal (ENG)
Sergio Busquets Barcelona
Andres Iniesta Barcelona
Forwards
David Silva Valencia
David Villa  Barcelona
Fernando Torres Liverpool (ENG)
Pedro Rodriguez Barcelona
Fernando Llorente Athletic Bilbao
Juan Mata Valencia

The seven players who were cut from the provisional 30 were goalkeepers Diego Lopez (Villarreal), David De Gea (Atletico Madrid), defender Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna); midfielders Marcos Senna (Villarreal) and Santi Cazorla (Villarreal); and forwards Dani Guiza (Fenerbahce) and Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla).

South Africa finalise preliminary 2010 World Cup squad

Posted by Sajith on , under , , | comments (0)




Israel-based defender Bevan Fransman has been named in South Africa's provisional 30-man World Cup squad.
Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira added the Maccabi Netanya centre-back to the squad after Morgan Gould failed to win his battle against injury.
Gould, who was in contention for a starting place, underwent an operation in March after damaging his ankle.
Fransman, 26, missed the recent two training camps in Germany and Brazil because of commitments with his club.
Parreira also selected four goalkeepers, including Germany-based Rowen Fernandez who passed a late fitness test, despite having said he would trim that tally down to three earlier this week.
After two months of training with mainly local-based players, the Bafana Bafana camp is being boosted by the arrivals of the overseas contingent.
Striker Benni McCarthy arrived at the team's Johannesburg hotel on Wednesday morning, a day after Fernandez, while Bernard Parker, whose FC Twente were crowned Dutch champions ten days ago, was already in camp.
South Africa's all-time top scorer McCarthy arrives with concerns over his fitness after playing just 112 minutes for West Ham since February.
"Benni arrived this morning and I'm sure the coaches are already putting him through his paces," said defender Matthew Booth.
"He's looking good, he's a professional and he'll put his shoulder to the wheel and make sure he's ready for the World Cup."
With Fulham's Kagisho Dikgacoi participating in Wednesday's Europa Cup final and Portsmouth's Aaron Mokoena preparing for Saturday's FA Cup final, Parreira won't have his full contingent of players until next week.

WORLD CUP PHOTO ALBUM
Do you have a photo with yourself and a star from South Africa? Send us your photos to be in our World Cup Photo Album!
Fransman's call-up means eleven players in Bafana Bafana's provisional squad are overseas-based, with the remaining nineteen plying their trade in South Africa's domestic league.
The World Cup hosts open the 2010 finals against Mexico on 11 June in Johannesburg before facing fellow Group A rivals Uruguay five days later ahead of a final clash with France on 22 June.
Full South Africa squad:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United), Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Moeneeb Joseph (Orlando Pirates).
Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Innocent Mdledle (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (Supersport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Bryce Moon (PAOK, Greece), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Bevan Fransman (Maccabi Netanya, Israel).
Midfielders: Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Franklin Cale (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia).
Strikers: Benni McCarthy (West Ham United, England), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Holland).

Kevin-Prince Boateng in Ghana's 30-man World Cup squad

Posted by Sajith on Sunday, May 16, 2010 , under , | comments (0)



Kevin-Prince Boateng has been given his first call-up to a Ghana squad, after being named in the Black Stars' provisional squad for the World Cup.
But the Portsmouth midfielder is still awaiting final approval from Fifa to switch national allegiances, as he has played for Germany at under-21 level.

If he is cleared he could face Germany, who are in Ghana's group along with Australia and Serbia.
Chelsea's Michael Essien is included despite struggling with injury still.
Captain Stephen Appiah has finally recovered from injury and has been included in recent squads for his Italian side Bologna after almost 2 years out of club action.

WORLD CUP PHOTO ALBUM
Do you have a photo with yourself and a star from Ghana? Send us your photos to be in our World Cup Photo Album!
There is also a return for Inter Milan's Sulley Muntari, who missed the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola following a falling out with coach Milovan Rajevac.
Ghana will have a training camp in France starting on 24 May and will then move to Holland for a friendly on 1 June.
Four days later they face Latvia in Milton Keynes in the UK and the following day depart for South Africa.
An injury-ravaged Ghana team finished as runners-up at the Nations Cup as Rajevac used several players who won the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt in 2009.
Ghana were the only African side to make it into the second round of the 2006 World Cup in Germany where they lost to Brazil.
The Ghana Squad:
Goalkeepers: Richard Kingston (Wigan, England) Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professionals), Stephen Ahorlu (Hearts of Lions) , Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars)
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Basle, Switzerland), Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen, Germnay) Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), John Mensah (Sunderland, England), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek, Egypt), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany), John Pantsil (Fulham, England), Jonathan Mensah (Granada, Spain) Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland)
Midfielders: Dede Ayew (Arlese Avignon, France) Michael Essien (Chelsea, England) Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy) Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy) Stephen Appiah (Bologna, Italy) Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway) Haminu Dramani (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy) Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Al Sadd, Qatar), Derek Boateng (Getafe, Spain) Bernard Kumordzi (Panionios, Greece) , Laryea Kingston (Hearts, Scotland), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth, England)
Strikers: Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim, Germany) Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan, Italy), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland)

Portugal announces 24 member squad

Posted by Sajith on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 , under , | comments (0)



Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has named a 24-man list of players ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, of whom 23 will make the final cut.

The main surprises in Queiroz's call-up list come in the form of Benfica goalkeeper Quim and Sporting CP playmaker Joao Moutinho, both of whom have been omitted from the list.

Queiroz has named a provisional 24-man squad for the World Cup as Real Madrid stopper Pepe remains in doubt for the competition in South Africa. Should he be fit in time for the tournament, either Ze Castro or Ricardo Costa are expected to be left out.

Portugal, who have been draw in Group G along with Ivory Coast, Brazil and North Korea, will kick off their World Cup campaign against the Elephants on June 15th at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

The Seleccao will gather in Covilha in just four days' time, with the players still involved in club commitments authorized to join up with the rest of the squad on May 19th.

Before the start of the tournament in South Africa, Portugal will play three friendly matches: against Cape Verde, on May 24th, Cameroon on June 1st, and Mozambique, on June 8th.


Portugal World Cup squad

Goalkeepers
Eduardo        Sporting de Braga
Daniel Fernandes  Iraklis
Beto            FC Porto
Defenders 
Miguel Valencia
Ricardo Costa  Lille
Paulo Ferreira Chelsea
Ricardo Carvalho Chelsea
Bruno Alves FC Porto
Rolando FC Porto
Ze Castro Deportivo
Pepe Real Madrid
Midfielders 
Fabio Coentrao SL Benfica
Duda Malaga
Pedro Mendes Sporting CP
Tiago Juventus
Deco Chelsea
Raul Meireles FC Porto
Miguel Veloso Sporting CP
Simao Sabrosa Atletico Madrid
Danny Zenit
Nani Manchester United
Forwards 
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid
Liedson Sporting CP
Hugo Almeida Werder Bremen

30 Member Spain Squad

Posted by Sajith on , under , | comments (0)



Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has named his provisional 30-man squad for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

Among the notable inclusions are Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes and young Atletico shot-stopper David De Gea. With Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas as Del Bosque’s number one and Liverpool's Pepe Reina thought to be second choice, Valdes and De Gea will be competing with Villarreal’s Diego Lopez for a seat on the plane to Africa.

Elsewhere, there are call-ups for Barcelona starlet Pedro, Osasuna’s Cesar Azpilicueta and Athletic Bilbao’s highly rated midfielder Javi Martinez, all of whom are uncapped at the senior level.

Up-front, Dani Guiza and Alvaro Negredo have earned call-ups but look unlikely to make the final squad while Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente will most likely compete with Pedro for the final slot upfront.

Spain’s final list of 23 will be made known on May 19. La Roja are drawn in Group H alongside Chile, Honduras and Switzerland.

Goalkeepers
Iker Casillas Real Madrid
David De Gea Atletico Madrid
Diego Lopez Villarreal
Pepe Reina Liverpool
Víctor Valdes Barcelona
Defenders
Raul Albiol Real Madrid
Alvaro Arbeloa Real Madrid
Cesar Azpilicueta Osasuna
Joan Capdevila Villarreal
Carlos Marchena Valencia
Gerard Pique Barcelona
Carles Puyol Barcelona
Sergio Ramos Real Madrid
Midfielders
Xabi Alonso Real Madrid
Sergio Busquets Barcelona
Cesc Fabregas Arsenal (ENG)
Andres Iniesta Barcelona
Javi Martinez Athletic Bilbao
Marcos Senna Villarreal
David Silva Valencia
Xavi Barcelona
Santi Cazorla Villarreal
Jesus Navas Sevilla
Juan Mata Valencia
Forwards
Pedro Barcelona
Daniel Guiza Fenerbahce (TUR)
Fernando Llorente Athletic Bilbao
Alvaro Negredo Sevilla
Fernando Torres Liverpool (ENG)
David Villa Valencia

ENGLAND 30 Member Squad published

Posted by Sajith on , under , | comments (0)



Fabio Capello has announced his provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup, with good news for both Joe Cole and Jamie Carragher as they are surprise inclusions.

The Chelsea and Liverpool stalwarts have forced their way into the Italian's plans at the eleventh hour, although there is no place for midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who had been tipped for a surprise inclusion, as Capello has given Gareth Barry the chance to prove his fitness.

Strikers Bobby Zamora and Carlton Cole have failed to make the first cut for the plane to South Africa, but Sunderland's Darren Bent will get a chance to impress Capello's coaching staff as the squad head to Austria for a training camp.

Meanwhile in defence there was good news for Tottenham Hotspur pair Ledley King and Michael Dawson, who are both involved along with West Ham United's Matthew Upson. Dawson and Manchester City's Adam Johnson are the only two uncapped players involved in the squad.

Unfortunately there is no place for Everton's Phil Jagielka, who will have to look on from a distance as club team-mate Leighton Baines competes with Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock to be left-back Ashley Cole's understudy at the summer tournament.

That position is likely to be where one of the seven cuts happens, when Capello announces his final 23-man squad on June 1.



England's provisional squad list:

Goalkeepers
Joe Hart Manchester City
David James Portsmouth
Robert Green West Ham United
Defenders
Leighton Baines Everton
Jamie Carragher Liverpool
Michael Dawson Tottenham Hotspur
Rio Ferdinand Manchester United
Glen Johnson Liverpool
Ledley King Tottenham Hotspur
John Terry Chelsea
Matthew Upson West Ham United
Stephen Warnock Aston Villa
Midfielders
Gareth Barry Manchester City
Michael Carrick Manchester United
Joe Cole Chelsea
Steven Gerrard Liverpool
Tom Huddlestone Tottenham Hotspur
Adam Johnson Manchester City
Frank Lampard Chelsea
Aaron Lennon Tottenham Hotspur
James Milner Aston Villa
Scott Parker West Ham United
Theo Walcott Arsenal
Shaun Wright-Phillips Manchester City
Forwards
Darren Bent Sunderland
Peter Crouch Tottenham Hotspur
Jermain Defoe Tottenham Hotspur
Emile Heskey Aston Villa
Wayne Rooney Manchester United