To Do:
1. Pack!
2. Work
(i) Listing of duties for others while away
(ii) Pack work to be brought along while away
(iii) Prepare for Term 3
3. Admin matters
(i) Change money
(ii) Leaving country form
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.
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So many more things & I can't remember what else I have to do :(
Anyway, WORLD CUP!!
I obtained this off Google images & obviously the person who owned that is Dutch - check out the orange highlights of Netherlands. So it's basically a summary of the groupings & fixtures. Here's a quick take on the groups/teams.
Group A: Germany, Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador
It would be a shock & shame if Germany gets eliminated. Afterall, it's national pride since this is played on homeground. Otherwise, the Germans are favourites & likely to go through, at least to semi-finals, if not, finals. Could it be a rematch of Germany versus Brazil in the finals?
Group B: England, Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden
It looks like England is the favourite from this group. However, the Swedes could give the English a run for their money. In the last World Cup 2002, Sweden held their fort against the English & qualified for the quarter finals. Both teams saw a +1 GD the last time. When they last met in 2002, Sol Campbell scored the only goal for England, only to have Niclas Alexandersson equalise for Sweden. I remember this match well - I remember sneaking out of church halfway through the service to get a spot in the Millennium Sqaure in Leeds so as to watch the game on the big screen, complete with a pint of lager & cheering with the rest of the country.
Again, we might see a repeat of the English & Swedes make it through the first round. But if the English make stupid mistakes & field David "Butterhands Calamity"James as goalie, goodbye to any chances of making it at all.
Group C: Argentina, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Serbia & Montenegro, Netherlands
The Netherlands & Argentina are the obvious hot favourites in this group, given track record. However, never underestimate the African teams, just as how Senagal upset France in the previous World Cup. My take is that the Netherlands will go far in this tournament. Again, surprises lie round the corner.
Group D: Mexico, Iran, Angola, Portugal
Mexico has always been the hot powerhouse in the beautiful game. However, the team underperformed in the last World Cup so this time round, it's redemption. It was embarrassing losing to their abusive neighbour, the United States! It's also once again, redemption for Portugal that made massive mistakes in the last World Cup. Will they rise from the ashes & make up for lost glory? A rather inconsistent bunch of power teams but nonetheless, an interesting group to watch.
Group E: Italy, Ghana, United States, Czech Republic
Now, is it hot or what? Check out this group. I'm pitting for the Czech Republic actually. The Italians have been rather disappointing recently & with scandals hitting the arena on their ground, morale can never be lower than it is for these hot rods. However, do not be surprised by the Americans given the general ignorance of the game. They have been pretty steady since they became part of the tournament. So I won't be surprised if Czech & United States qualify for the next round from this group.
Group F: Brazil, Croatia, Japan, Australia
Apart from Australia, THIS is the group to get high on. I say it will be tough between Brazil, Croatia & Japan. Nobody knows. It'll probably be the last time the world gets to see Ronaldo on the pitch. What? A new hair-do again?! Anyway, looking forward to samba time :)
Group G: France, Switzerland, Togo, South Korea
What if France gets wiped out by Togo? I'll laugh my teeth out. Too much pate, monsieurs? Actually, I think South Korea has a chance here. They have been pretty steady this far. In fact, they went very far in the last World Cup. If not, I think South Korea & France will progress with +1 GD each? Brother said not to underestimate the Swiss. Hmmm...
Group H: Spain, Ukriane, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia
This is a pretty obvious group. I mean, I think Saudi Arabia can start packing. Not that I hate them but it's a shame that they keep getting trashed, not by just 1-0 but usually at 5-0 scores. I would love to see them play in the same group as the United States...hehehe! Spain is the obvious favourite for this group.
Now, here is the important bit: why I think David Beckham should NOT be the captain for the England squad.
Frankly, I'm not sure what he has really done for the team. The infamous 1998 send-off is history but certainly something nobody will ever forget, though this isn't quite the point in question for now. That dude has been away playing in Spain the last couple of seasons so I'm not too sure if he knows his team well. He hasn't been playing with his team-mates & I think that would mean that familiarity & perhaps, even that chemistry & that unexplainable X-factor of playing with his fellow Englishmen is lacking.
Beckham, as I see it, is known for his style & how he takes corners, crossing & all so for that, I must be fair & give him credit for that. But that is that. Who am I to critique that since I'm no footballer/coach myself. For your info sake, Michael Owen has scored 35 goals for England, while Beckham..hmm...don't know. But really, the very fact that he's been playing out of the English league & made captain of the tem is quite disturbing. Let's hope he takes his Spanish experience & the experience of playing with the array of internationals to the team's advantage - that is if he knows how to do it. Otherwise, *ahem*, he's just a pretty face. Really, I think he's known more for his endorsement of...let's see:
1. Pepsi ad
2. Police sunglasses
3. Body fragrance ('Instinct')
4. Gillete shaver
5. Adidas
6. Tattoos
...and a million other things. Probably seen a lot more on OK!, Hello magazines in his designer suits.
And by the way, with that voice of his, if he were my captain, I would be laughing each time when he speaks.
How about giving others a chance - Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Gary Neville perhaps? Did I also mention that Wayne Rooney reminds me of Edward E Newman from Mad Magazine?
I must be delirious now - I need my sleep. Nobody shoot me please. :p
3 comments:
I vote for John Terry to be England captain even though he is frm Chelski! :P
Eh, dont underestimate Ukraine-they've got Schevy-chenko, another one going to Chelski. sigh...
My dark horse for this World Cup? SERBIA!!!!!!!!
Group F will NOT be between Brazil, Croatia and Japan. Brazil and Australia to qualify with the Japs bottom of the group. They're really terrible.
And as for Group C - watch out for the Ivory Coast, no guarantees but with Drogba up front Arouna Kone dribbling like a rabid baby and Kolo Toure in defence they've got a great chance of beating at least two of the teams in that group.
World Cup...always full of surprises. That's why I'd rather put my money in shopping :D
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