₦airaland Forum

Group B
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Spain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Uruguay 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tahiti 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nigeria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

GROUP A FIXTURES

15 June 2013
16:00
Brazil Match 1 Japan Estádio Nacional, Brasília
16 June 2013
16:00
Mexico Match 2 Italy Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
19 June 2013
16:00
Brazil Match 5 Mexico Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza
19 June 2013
19:00
Italy Match 6 Japan Arena Pernambuco, Recife
22 June 2013
16:00
Italy Match 9 Brazil Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
22 June 2013
16:00
Japan Match 10 Mexico Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte

Group A
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Brazil 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Japan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mexico 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Italy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

It doesn't bear the high stakes or the sheer size of the World Cup, but when the Confederations Cup kicks off this weekend in Brazil, it will carry plenty of intrigue for soccer fans both around the world and in the U.S.
By moving the tournament to a four-year cycle (beginning in 2009), FIFA has positioned the cup as an appetizer for its biggest event -- a role it performed capably the last time around.
U.S. fans will have no trouble recalling the 2009 edition in South Africa, which generated buzz when the Americans secured a miraculous advancement from the group stage on goals scored, then shocked Spain 2-0 and nearly upset Brazil in the final before falling 3-2.
ESPN's coverage also introduced viewers to the vuvuzela, preparing American ears for the incessant humming sound that would permeate the World Cup and was henceforth banned from many venues in other countries.
This year, there will be no U.S. squad -- and hopefully no vuvuzelas -- but even without Tim Howard & Co. leading an improbable roller-coaster ride, there is plenty to watch at the Confederations Cup, which kicks off Saturday when Brazil faces Japan (ESPN, 2:30 p.m. ET) in Brasilia.
Here's a quick look at the eight teams that will compete, hoping to finish in the top two of their group and advance to the semifinals.
YOUNG: Is Brazil ready for the World Cup?
Group A[/color][ize=8pt]
Brazil (FIFA World Ranking: No. 22)
[b]There's no question that the two-time defending champions have the most at stake here, both on and off the field.
With next summer's World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on tap, the Confederations Cup will provide an early look at everything from stadium readiness to hospitality and security.
That third area is the biggest concern -- especially after the attempted mugging of a British journalist at knifepoint after England's 2-2 draw with Brazil this month -- and police plan to use unmanned aircraft as surveillance drones to keep an eye on crowds.
But there's plenty of pressure from within as well. Luiz Felipe Scolari's team will be expected to win a third straight title, but a record of 2-1-4 in 2013 hasn't been the brightest run of form, save for a 3-0 win over France last week.
All eyes will be on 21-year-old striker Neymar, who became a star at Santos but has yet to produce for the senior national team. FC Barcelona snatched him up in a high-profile transfer this summer, hoping to buy before his value shot up even further. His play at the Confederations Cup will be an early signal of whether the Catalan club invested wisely.
YOUNG: Brazil's face of the World Cup[/b]
Italy (No.
Italy qualified by virtue of Spain's recent dominance, as the Euro 2012 champion was already headed to Brazil thanks to its 2010 World Cup title. That meant the Azzurri's runner-up finish at Euro 2012 was enough to secure the UEFA slot, and they'll come in as the host's biggest obstacle in Group A.
Sitting on a comfortable four-point lead in its World Cup qualifying group, Italy arrives looking for a better ending than a 1-0-2 showing at its first Confederations Cup in 2009.
If that is to happen, it will likely involve a big tournament from Mario Balotelli. The AC Milan striker made headlines last week when he was sent off during a qualifier against the Czech Republic, then caught by cameras taking out his frustration by attacking the walls of the tunnel on his way off the field.
But alongside his volatility is undeniable talent, which he flashed prominently with two goals over Germany in the Euro 2012 semifinals.
AC Milan teammate Stephan El Shaarawy will be another player to watch up top, although the hot transfer target was held out of training on Thursday. Balotelli's transfer to Milan marked a drop in form for Shaarawy, who had led Serie A with 14 goals in the first half of the season, but if they can hit their stride together in Brazil, Italy will be hard to stop.
Europe World Cup qualifying outlook
Japan (No. 32)
It's easy to overlook this squad amid the giants in its bracket, but Japan is no pushover.
The Japanese already punched their ticket to the World Cup and sport a 23-5-9 record in three years under Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni -- whose long career in Serie A will no doubt be of use in Brazil.
The Japanese will be looking for their best finish since a runner-up at the 2001 Confederations Cup, and there's no doubt whom they'll lean on to take them there.
Midfielder Shinji Kagawa didn't meet expectations during his first season at Manchester United, but the former Borussia Dortmund man will have plenty of opportunities to seize the reins for the national team.
It's difficult to imagine Japan making it far without an exceptional showing from the 24-year-old Kagawa, and others will have to step up as well if they are to advance out of a talent-rich group.
Asia World Cup qualifying outlook

Giovani Dos Santos, a young star at the 2010 World Cup, plays for Mallorca in Spain.
Miguel Tovar/STF/Getty Images

Mexico (No. 17)
There are only two groups at the Confederations Cup, making Group A an easy choice for the "Group of Death."
Italy has the pedigree, Brazil has the home-field advantage and Japan makes for an interesting underdog. So where does that leave Mexico?
El Tri undoubtedly has the talent to make some noise in Brazil -- this year and next -- but results haven't been as expected lately, with one win and five draws in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
Overall, Mexico has eight draws in nine matches this year, including five scoreless outings against Jamaica, the U.S., Peru, Panama and Costa Rica, the last two of which came in the past week.
That's a befuddling predicament for a squad that boasts the likes of Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and Giovani Dos Santos, and most of the blame is falling on coach Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre.
With the way things have gone lately, Mexico could certainly find itself last in the group, and that could spell the end of the road for Chepo. His top achievement is the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup title that qualified El Tri for the Confederations Cup, but a stumble now might make this his only trip to Brazil.
North America World Cup qualifying outlook
Group B[color=#000099]
[b]Nigeria (No. 31)
The Confederations Cup is icing on the cake for the Super Eagles, which qualified by winning their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 19 years.
There's a lot to like about this team, chiefly an unbeaten record of 5-0-6 in 2013, and it wouldn't be a total shock to see Nigeria advance out of the group. Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel leads the way, and his presence will be counted on after an already rocky start to the competition.
The Super Eagles didn't travel to Brazil as scheduled on Thursday, as players reportedly refused to board a plane after the Nigerian Football Federation decided to reduce their promised bonuses.
Resolution of the dispute came at the cost of a troublesome travel delay, as Nigeria is set to arrive on Saturday with just one day to train before its opener against Tahiti.
If there's a match to play on short rest, it's that one, but three points are a must before Nigeria takes on the task of swiping points from Spain or Uruguay.
Africa World Cup qualifying outlook[/b]
Spain (No. 1)
The ramifications of Germany's dominance in the Champions League are still being felt, as the swift dismissals of Barcelona and Real Madrid made for a black eye for Spanish soccer.
But Spain is still the ruler of the international game, and the Germans won't be in Brazil, meaning La Furia Roja are the favorites.
Their only previous trip to the Confederations Cup in 2009 resulted in a third-place finish but produced memorable moments like Fernando Torres' 17-minute hat trick, and a star-studded roster will be back for more.
The 23-player squad counts nine from Barcelona, but look for others to have a major impact as well -- most notably Juan Mata, who is coming off another sterling season with Chelsea.
Spain will get its toughest test right off the bat with Sunday's match against Uruguay, but the world champions should light up Tahiti and get past Nigeria for a chance to add to a growing trophy collection.
Tahiti (No. 138)
[b]The winners of the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti is like a recreational basketball team sneaking into March Madness as a No. 16 seed.
The island in French Polynesia comes in behind the likes of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the FIFA World Rankings, just one spot ahead of Afghanistan. Their last two results of 2012 were losses of 2-0 and 3-0 to lowly New Zealand, and their most recent match yielded a 1-0 loss to New Caledonia.
What's more, the population of Tahiti (178,000) could fit 13 times inside the city of Belo Horizonte, the site of its first match in Brazil.
Little is known of the roster, which features only one player who plies his trade off the island. That honor belongs to 33-year-old forward Marama Vahirua of Panthrakikos in Greece, although he previously enjoyed a long career in France, even scoring 10 goals in Ligue 1 with Nice in 2004-05.
Ultimately, Tahiti is little more than a bye for the others in its group, who will no doubt use that matchup as a glorified scrimmage and a chance to rest up.[/b]
Uruguay (No. 19)
Perhaps the dark-horse contender to win the whole thing, Uruguay is certainly a team to keep an eye on.
La Celeste notched a fourth-place finish at the 2010 World Cup, winning its group and reaching the semifinals before a 3-2 loss to the Netherlands. They're back and are stocked with talent up front, even if results this year have been subpar. Wins over Venezuela and France this month bode well, but prior losses to Chile (2-0) and Spain (3-1) suggest they have yet to find top form.
But with a strike force that ranks among the world's best, no one will be overlooking Uruguay.
Liverpool's Luis Suarez (23 goals last season), Napoli's Edinson Cavani (29) and Diego Forlan make for an explosive attacking trio, and keeping those three quiet will be a mammoth task for any opponent.
The tournament also marks a big opportunity for Cavani, who is reportedly being courted by both Manchester City and Real Madrid.
South America World Cup qualifying outlook


Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130614/confederations-cup-preview/#ixzz2WHeayGlq










The 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup is an international association football tournament will be held in Brazil in 2013, as a prelude to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The tournament is expected to be held from 15 to 30 Qualified teams

Team Confederation Qualification method Date qualification secured Participation No.
Brazil CONMEBOL 2014 FIFA World Cup host 30 October 2007 7th
Spain UEFA 2010 FIFA World Cup winner 11 July 2010 2nd
Japan AFC 2011 AFC Asian Cup winner 29 January 2011 5th
Mexico CONCACAF 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup winner 25 June 2011 6th
Uruguay CONMEBOL 2011 Copa América winner 24 July 2011 2nd
Tahiti OFC 2012 OFC Nations Cup winner 10 June 2012 1st
Italy UEFA UEFA Euro 2012 runners-up1 28 June 2012 2nd
Nigeria CAF 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner 10 February 2013 2nd

sugar 001: Instead of Gyan..... Bance should be on the list. *Prouldly Naija.

cudnt agree with u more

i bet d 'baby mama looks a lot finer than Tiwa even after two kids............

NIgeria all d way.................. watch out for my man though Bance...i like his play

dont u guys think this same thing happens secretly in Nigeria?

As a football enthusiast i can say I have watched Football actively for over 22years,i have seen games from Europe,Asia,The Americas and of course motherland(Africa) and i must say i have seen a lot of questionable decisions taken as a result of human errors on the part of the Referees and their assistants. I must admit that such 'Human Errors' have been brought to an unnoticeable level with the advent of communications gadgets which could help the Match Officials make collective decisions,the case obviously in the African nations cup have been very shambolic at the very least with rogue decisions taken by these officials.

Guys my point is simple,did you watch the Ghana vs Burkina Faso match?Did you see what the refs did?
could this be one of those games the Europol were talking about?

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE REFEREEING DECISIONS IN THIS TOURNAMENT SO FAR?

the sale of rough diamonds by individuals is not even legal!

rent a shop and go to cotonou to buy fairly used phones there,come back love-vendor d shop a lil and sell ur phones there simple!

did we just see the African version of the EL-CLASSICO?please confirm it somebody and what's your assessment of the match?

hi house,is it possible to unlock the dstv stations on my strong 4669x?

overdrive: Nigeria Midfielder, Mikel Obi said he is stil Nigeria penalty taker. He stated dat he just allowed Moses to play d penalty against Ethophia as he begged him also being his clubmate.

He affirmed dat he wil play Nigeria penalty if awarded against CIV.

Source:
http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/01/31/moses-begged-me-to-allow-him-play-penalties-i-will-play-spot-kicks-inn-future-mikel-obi/

thank God Moses begged to take the penalty(if the whole 'beg' thing is true) cos i know what the result would have been if mikel took the kick

(1) we would have been ousted now
(2)Boko Haram would have resumed their bombing(cos the AFCON is what is keeping them pre-occupied)
and
(3) Naija would be ranked 99th when the next FIFA ranking comes out

gateuser4: Who knows RLG and what they are into. Got invitation from them on 24/01/13. Who else got the invite.

RLG is a pan African telecoms company based currently in Ghana,they are into the manufacture of Laptops and just recently diversified into phones making tooo,i guess the company is just trying to break into the Nigerian market. i hope this helps,best of luck people

papa giddy: mikel,sit down there dey deceive ya self! not with this eagle.it is end of d road for eagle honestly!

u comment like a FOOOOL

[quote author=mondi_cheeks]u r a very vulgar boy lol bed for what?[/quote]mondi! no more

is ur lady or the lady u wana go for dating a married man n it hurts u so bad?

this is just medicine after death, can CAF withdraw the goal he gave the Zambians?

matbe frying akara or yam n make sure u locate ur trade near a school or in the north near alot of abokis selling oda stuffs

safarigirl: If care is not taken, all North African teams will crash out in this group stage

who told u so?

u on what fence?be jump down on one side before the owner of the house comes to catch u

[quote author=mondi_cheeks]hey u[/quote]what do people realy compliment u on?

[quote author=mondi_cheeks]The way I laugh, its very unique [/quote]hhhhhhmmmmmmm mondi

go into quail or turkey rearing business

kinky90: Pls pple what's lip-synching?

wen u mime a song playin on the background

Princess1982: Its 3:08 in the am where I live I should be sleep lol.

go to bed its late

Julieccentric: I too ugly..no compliments..only my brain!

dats a huge compliment

Y dont we first introduce d kinds of businesses we do so that we hookup wit those with like business interests?

its no biggie,its a sign to show love realy exist btwn u guys,i do it alot even when its not convinient..... Too much Ego just breaks marriages it doesn't help

Chygirl2: My dimples nd my backside.

u reek of fraud