Archive for June, 2010
Poor Performance from Spain Says Del Bosque
Posted on 22. Jun, 2010 by admin.
Spain manager Vincente del Bosque has admitted that Spain’s performance in the 2-0 victory over Honduras was still some way short of the standard he is looking for. Spain lost their first match against Switzerland but bounced back last night to record their first win of the tournament.
Del Bosque feels that although the all important points were won, his side looked frail defensively and this will be something that will have to be addressed.
“We certainly paved the way for the third group match against Chile, but this hasn’t been a great match, we had glorious opportunities, many opportunities, we should have won the game by more goals so I’m not entirely satisfied,” he said.
“We were more vulnerable than we were against Switzerland. Honduras were quite adventurous, they came out and let us play.”
David Villa, who scored two but also missed a penalty, said: “Our defeat to Switzerland is water under the bridge now, there is no sense in looking back.
“We still need to beat Chile later, but there is a long way to go before we can even think about being world champions, both in terms of time and matches.”
Honduras manager Reinaldo Rueda was left to admit that his side had been outclassed by Spain, despite them giving their all.
Honduras played with heart but Spain did look a cut above and the scoreline could have been a lot larger than the 2-0 result.
“We had too much respect for them especially at the start of the game,” said the Colombian.
“The early goal tipped the balance of the game. There’s not much to explain, we were playing a much superior team.
“They surprised us with that goal, that individual move by David Villa very early on and I think we lacked conviction in our play to try to offset and overcome this rival.”
With Spain getting back to winning ways they are back amongst the hot favourites to win the tournament with bwin offering 19/4 on them adding a World title to their European one.
Paddy Power are offering odds of 9/2 and bodog are offering 4/1.
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Rio Ferdinand to miss World Cup
Posted on 07. Jun, 2010 by admin.
England captain Rio Ferdinand will miss out on this summer’s South African World Cup after obtaining ligament damage to his left knee during their first training session after arrival.
Tottenham’s Michael Dawson will fly out to replace Ferdinand, who has been ruled out for six weeks.
The 31-year-old will be replaced as captain for the rest of the tournament by Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard.
“Everyone with the squad is very disappointed and sorry for Rio,” said England manager Fabio Capello.
“It was an accidental injury in training, but had nothing to do with the pitch.”
Ferdinand was injured in a “normal challenge” on striker Emile Heskey and was sent to the Fearncrest hospital in Rustenburg for a scan of the leg.
His replacement, Michael Dawson, has enjoyed a season on fine form at Spurs as they finished fourth in the Premier League, however, he is yet to win a cap at international level.
“It’s a crazy game and things can change in a split second,” said Dawson.
“One minute I’m trying to arrange my holiday, then I get a call asking if I was on holiday because Rio had pulled out of training.
“I said ‘no’ and then I was just waiting by the phone before getting a call saying I would be picked up in an hour.
“I’ll be going out there still having not yet won a senior cap, so where better place to get one if that was to happen.”
He also told Tottenham’s website: “For Rio to get injured, there would be no worse feeling for him as a player. To miss the biggest tournament in the world as the captain, I feel for him. ”
England start their World Cup campaign against the US on June 12th. William Hill and bet 365 give Fabio Capello’s side 4/9 odds of victory in their first game, while Victor Chandler set their odds at 2/5.