I only wish we could organize some of these quality matches over next campaign!!!!!!!!!
Friendly Fixtures:
Cameroon
27 March: v Argentina (Geneva) 17 April: v Austria (Geneva) 17 May: v Denmark (tbc) 26 May: v England (Kobe)
Nigeria
26 March - v Paraguay (London) 17 April - v Scotland (Aberdeen) 17 May - v Ireland (Dublin)
Senegal
27 March - v Bolivia (Dakar) 14 May - v Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)
South Africa
20 March - v Saudi Arabia (Florence) 27 March - v Georgia (Tblisi) 30 March - v Botswana (Gabarone) 17 April - v Ecuador (Spain) 20-23 May - 4-nation tournament (Hong Kong)
Tunisia
13 March - 0-0 South Korea (Tunis) 26 March - v Norway (Tunis)
If South Africa's coach Jomo Sono has learned anything from this game it is that his team have a mountain to climb.
This was disastrous result for Bafana Bafana against a side that is ranked 66th in the world and has not qualified for the World Cup.
It follows their 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia last week.
South Africa lacked a game plan and failed to string together any movements of note.
The inexperienced Bafana Bafana defence were simply unable to cope with the fast direct movement of the Georgians who controlled possession and territory with their slick passing.
In particular the South Africans failed to cope with the skill of striker Georgi Dimitradzi who ran past defenders as if they were cardboard figures on a training ground.
Red Card
The home side went ahead as early as the 12th minute when they netted from the penalty spot following a clumsy challenge by Aaron Mokoena.
He looked a poor shadow of the man who performed so outstandingly at the Nations Cup in Mali.
To make matters worse Bafana Bafana were reduced to 10 men in the 22nd minute when rookie striker Lesley Manyathela was sent off by the Ukranian referee for a second bookable offence.
A further goal in the 30th minute meant Georgia went into the half-time break 2-0 up.
Further disaster struck Bafana Bafana shortly after half time when Thabang Molefe received his marching orders for a studs-up tackle on a Georgian player.
Delron Buckley, a second half substitute offered his team a glimmer of hope when he struck a superb shot from 35 metres out.
But the Georgians continued to dominate a poor South African team.
Two further strikes in the last ten minutes sealed Bafana Bafana's fate.
If anything, this comprehensive defeat provided an emphatic answer to the strong calls for the injection of young local players.
Given the performance of the side Sono might be tempted to recall experienced professionals like Lucas Radebe, even if he has to play on crutches.
Registered: 02/21/01
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Loc: Guatemala, El Salvador, Hondu...
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FYI, the expected lineups for the Italy-England friendly. Don't know what kind of match to expect with so many key players out for both sides. England is without Gerrard, Ferdinand, Scholes, McManaman, and Ashley Cole. I am surprised not to see Kevin Phillips, Chris Powell, Lee Bowyer, or Alan Smith getting a run. Southgate as a centreback is a surprise.
Italy is experimenting again with an altered 4-4-2 with Totti playing behind Delvecchio who is very out of form, Montella, Hubner, and Marrazzina are doing much better. Cannavaro is playing right back for Italy, which is odd since they have played a 3-5-2 or some variation since Zoff took over in 98 (they played a 4-4-1 with Cannavaro a right back after Zambrotta was sent off against Holland).
Originally posted by reddevil: FYI, the expected lineups for the Italy-England friendly. Don't know what kind of match to expect with so many key players out for both sides. England is without Gerrard, Ferdinand, Scholes, McManaman, and Ashley Cole. I am surprised not to see Kevin Phillips, Chris Powell, Lee Bowyer, or Alan Smith getting a run. Southgate as a centreback is a surprise.
Italy is experimenting again with an altered 4-4-2 with Totti playing behind Delvecchio who is very out of form, Montella, Hubner, and Marrazzina are doing much better. Cannavaro is playing right back for Italy, which is odd since they have played a 3-5-2 or some variation since Zoff took over in 98 (they played a 4-4-1 with Cannavaro a right back after Zambrotta was sent off against Holland).
56 mins: Eduardo blasts a powerful shot from a freekick which the Senegalese keeper needs a second effort to save. The freekick was taken from 25 yards.
53 mins: Senegal continue to push forward but they are making plenty of mistakes.
52 mins: Diatta misses a header deep inside the Bolivian penalty box. The ball bounces on the turf and the keeper catches without difficulty. It was a close chance.
47 mins: GOAL: Senegal 1-1 Bolivia. Xavier taps the ball home easily after a counter attack.
69 mins: For the first time in the game Senegal look very much in control. Bolivia close their defence. The South Americans are sharp on the counter. They look dangerous even when outnumbered.
65 mins: Bolivia go on the assault immediately and win a freekick. Diallo punches out the threatnening cross from the freekick.
64 mins: GOAL: Senegal 2-1 Bolivia. Mamadou Niang puts Senegal ahead after beating the keeper and slicing home from a narrow angle. Senegal 2-1 Bolivia.
Registered: 02/21/01
Posts: 4266
Loc: Guatemala, El Salvador, Hondu...
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Quote:
Originally posted by terminator: what time is this game and is it showing?
This game is scheduled for 8 pm GMT or 3pm EST. No broadcast info, my advice, find a pub if possible. Chuchill's is an option for the Miami based ites (5502 NE 2nd Avenue). The Brazil-Yugoslavia match is set for 9:45 Brazil time, which I think is an hour ahead of us, not sure.
0 mins: End of the match. Senegal beat Bolivia 2-1.
88 mins: Senegalese pleas for a hand ball is ignored as Diouf's cross is deflected by a Bolivian hand.
87 mins: Senegal let the Bolivians chase shadows. But Bolivia surge forward but the Senegalese defence cover the spaces and the ball rolls over for a goal kick to the hosts.
90 mins: The whistle blows for full-time in Geneva. Cameroon surprise on of the World Cup favourites Argentina in a gripping match.
85 mins: GOAL Cameroon 2-2 Argentina. Goal came from their fourth successive corner which is headed in by Patrick Suffo, until recently of Sheffield United.
85 mins: Njitap takes his third successive corner, and Rigobert Song's header is tipped over by Bergof.
Registered: 02/21/01
Posts: 4266
Loc: Guatemala, El Salvador, Hondu...
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Update: England:Italy 0:0 Second Half just underway.
Very closed match as expected, Italy's first shot on goal was in the 40th minute but the pressured for the last 10 minutes of the first half. England has made 9 changes to start the second half (James, Phil Neville, Hargraves, Vassel, Fowler, King, Cole, Murphy, and Eghiou. Montella for Totti is Italy's only change.
the england lead did not last long italy just scored and what a goal about 25 to 30 yards, england makes one change about 15min gone in the second half, david james looks like a space boy in net
[This message has been edited by nine (edited 03-27-2002).]
Registered: 02/21/01
Posts: 4266
Loc: Guatemala, El Salvador, Hondu...
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Haven't seen the Montella goal, I'm trying to follow on Radio RAI but the reception is very poor. They described it as a powerful and well angled left foot shot from outside the area. Bridge off for England for Gary Neville, the last of the original 11.
