₦airaland Forum

They are called the SOCA WARRIORS and later described as the winning warriors after winning a lack lustre friendly with a division three team by one of the local newspapers; the next three days will show how true (or false) this statement is:

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=160960945


Comments posted by locals on the team preparation do far can be found at the bottom of the page.

Follow the action:



http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/schedule.html

As for England, quaterfinal is good enough for them _{i dont think they wish for more anyway the way have prepared.}
Trinidad and Tobago is there for jamboree _{sorry its past carnival time}

Paraguay, a pity a team with a bunch of sparse talents have to go out in the first round.

Sweden deserve to be in the quaterfinals and will be

I wish above all that you prosper and be in health

I wish this world as we know it should pass away quickly and the new dispensation ushered in

minebaby

Su[b]lt[/b]ry

The tongue is like a window to the state of health, most systemic diseases will leave their footprint on your tongue and even though that may be the patients presenting complaint, the problem with the tongue will hardly be the major concern of the physician.

What you have described fit into a condition called ATROPHIC GLOSSITIS, which can be due to anything from iron deficiency to pernicious anemia.

Putting all your symptoms together i would say you may be suffering from chronic vitamin B12 deficiency resulting from the pernicious anemia. Now this condition is an auto immune problem and you cant solve it just by taking in vitamin B12. You need to see a physician and discuss this possibility with them. I suggest you go to LUTH or UCH, i still have more confidence in the government hospitals than the private ones, with good reasons.

As i say the tongue says a lot about your state of health, however your condition may be something else and you will need a whole lot of extensive blood tests which your doctors will discuss with you but i will still put PERNICIOUS ANEMIA as my first differential as you seem to have developed other neurological complications (as explained by your falling back) which can result from the B12 deficiency and still give you the smooth tongue and pale look.

Make an appointment at UCH or LUTH to see a doctor. The Lord be with you and grant you good health and healing.

mother of all badmen

FIFA RANKINGS MAY 2006 ( THERE WILL BE NO RANKINGS IN JUNE)

(Can you Locate Nigeria there?) :

http://www.soccerphile.com/soccerphile/news/fifa.html

Sweden

Not given a serious chance by pundits with detractors pointing to a shaky defence despite the Swedes conceding just four times in qualifying. The central pairing of captain Olof Mellburg of Aston Villa and Teddy Lucic from Swedish top flight side BV Hacken will need to be at their best in Germany although giant Rennes goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson did turn heads during qualifying with a series of outstanding displays.

Sweden's armoury, though, is in attack. Coach Lars Lagerback - in sole control of the side after the resignation of former co-coach Tommy Soderberg following Euro 2004 - has the luxury of selecting an attacking trio hailing from Juventus, Barca and Arsenal. Current Swedish footballer of the year Zlatan Ibrahimovic has the potency to match any striker on his day but needs to keep his composure in check. Henrik Larsson and Freddy Ljungberg complete the forward line, an enviable triumvirate who between them scored 20 of Sweden's 30 qualifying goals.
Fixtures


Sweden v Trinidad & Tobago 10 June; KO 18:00; Dortmund
Sweden v Paraguay 15 June; KO 21:00; Berlin
Sweden v England 20 June; KO 21:00; Cologne
Coach

Lars Lagerback
Record

1970, 1978 & 1990 First Round; 1934, 1950, 1974, 2002 Second round; 1994 semi-finals; 1938 Fourth place; 1958 runners-up. 11th appearance at the World Cup.

Men to watch

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrik Larsson
Predictions & Latest Odds

Sweden should go through with England.
How they qualified

They were one of two best runners-up in the European qualifying zone finishing level on points in European Group 8, with group winners Croatia.
On the sidelines

Sweden will face England for the second consecutive time in the group stage - the match in Japan in 2002 finished 1-1.

The Squad

Goalkeepers John Alvbage (Viborg, Denmark), Andreas Isaksson (Rennes, France), Rami Shaaban (Fredrikstad, Norway)
Defenders Erik Edman (Rennes, France), Petter Hansson (Heerenveen, Holland), Teddy Lucic (Hacken), Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa, England), Mikael Nilsson (Panathinaikos, Greece), Fredrik Stenman (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Karl Svensson (IFK Goteborg)
Midfielders Niclas Alexandersson (IFK Goteborg), Daniel Andersson (Malmo), Johan Elmander (Brondby, Denmark), Mattias Jonson (Djurgarden), Kim Kallstrom (Rennes, France), Tobias Linderoth (Copenhagen, Denmark), Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal, England), Anders Svensson (Elfsborg), Christian Wilhelmsson (Anderlecht, Belgium)
Forwards Marcus Allback (Copenhagen, Denmark), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus, Italy), Henrik Larsson (Barcelona, Spain), Markus Rosenberg (Ajax, Holland)

Sweden In- depth Profile:

http://www.soccerphile.com/soccerphile/teams/sweden-06.html

Trinidad & Tobago

The Soca Warriors will probably be the favourite team of the neutrals in Germany and those watching on television but the team, led by canny Dutchman Leo Beenhakker will want to show that are more than stereotypical happy-go-lucky Caribbeans and are aiming high.

Marvin Andrews and Russell Latapy both sacrificed their SPL commitments to make sure that Trinidad and Tobago made it to Germany. Andrews, a devout Christian repeatedly voiced his belief that God was willing the team to make it to the World Cup Finals and his faith was rewarded when they made it after a play-off with Bahrain.

Such was the euphoria in Trinidad and Tobago that a national holiday was declared and street parties were held throughout the country. Andrews missed a crucial Old Firm tie to play for his national side and revealed afterwards that the achievement ranked as high as any domestic success he had ever enjoyed with Rangers.

"To take the country to a World Cup can change a lot of things in the country," he added. "The crime rate is really high - we are talking drugs, killing, murdering, kidnapping. the lot. That's how bad it is getting. So we will try to help by taking the country to the World Cup.

"I don't think it will change the crime rate completely but it can hopefully inspire a lot of younger boys who are actually committing the crimes at the moment," Andrews continued.

"Hopefully we will inspire them to change their lives and change the lives of other people. I try to be a role model to the young kids because they are the future. But they are the people the Devil is targeting at this moment."

Many of the players are well known in England and Europe. Veteran striker Dwight Yorke needs no introduction but the former Manchester United star has produced little on the pitch in the past five years. Fans will be hoping that he has enough left for a last swansong on the global stage.

There is some experience in the team to support the 34-year-old. Stern John, Mark Burchill and Dennis Lawrence are all seasoned professionals who will relish their time in the spotlight. Russell Lapaty must also be mentioned, the playmaker may be 37 but still has the talent to unlock the tightest defence.
Fixtures

Trinidad & Tobago v Sweden 10 June; KO 18:00; Dortmund
Trinidad & Tobago v England 15 June; KO 18:00; Nuremberg
Trinidad & Tobago v Paraguay 20 June; 21:00 KO; Kaiserslautern
Coach

Leo Beenhakker
Record

First Appearance at the World Cup Finals

Men to watch

Dwight Yorke, John Stern and Russel Latapy
Predictions & Latest Odds

With nothing to lose, a dangerous side. Still, they will be done after three matches.
How they qualified

T & T finished fourth in the Concacaf third qualifying stage, and then beat Bahrain 2-1 on aggregate in the Concacaf/Asia play-off

John Stern scored 12 times in the qualifiers.

The Squad

Goalkeepers Kelvin Jack (Dundee), Shaka Hislop (West Ham), Clayton Ince (Coventry City).
Defenders Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham) Cyd Gray (San Juan Jabloteh), Marvin Andrews (Rangers), Brent Sancho (Gillingham), Ian Cox (Gillingham), Atiba Charles (W Connection), Avery John (New England Revolution).
Midfielders Silvio Spann (unattached), Chris Birchall (Port Vale), Aurtis Whitley (San Juan Jabloteh), Anthony Wolfe (San Juan Jabloteh), Densill Theobald (Falkirk), Carlos Edwards (Luton), Dwight Yorke (Sydney FC), Russell Latapy (Falkirk).
Forwards Stern John (Coventry), Kenwyne Jones (Southampton), Collin Samuel (Dundee United), Jason Scotland (St Johnstone), Cornell Glen (LA Galaxy)

Trinidad and Tobago In depth Profile:

http://www.soccerphile.com/soccerphile/teams/trinidad-06.html

Paraguay

Paraguay will appear in its third consecutive World Cup. Finishing a solid fourth in the South America qualifiers, Paraguay is coming into its own. The generation of players that progressed through the Athens Olympiad could prove troublesome for the much better known and highly touted teams from England and Sweden. The highlight of their qualifying campaign was a 1-0 victory over Argentina.

Paraguay are looking to reach the second round for the fourth time in total and the third time on the bounce. At first glance, there isn't much bounce in what is an aging squad even with the retirement of defenders Francisco Arce, Celso Ayala, and the most famous Paraguayan in the world and one-time Liverpool target, eccentric goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert. All time record scorer Jose Cardozo is still there, but only just, as he will be 35 by the time the tournament kicks-off and the veteran hitman is often joined in attack by Bayern Munich's speedy striker Roque Santa Cruz and the nation's young hope Nelson Haedo Valdez of Werder Bremen.

In France 1998, Paraguay went down in the second round to eventual winner France on a golden goal. In the most recent World Cup, the Albirroja lost again 1-0, this time to runner-up Germany. Being drawn out of the hat with the South Americans may not strike fear into the hearts of Europe's finest but Paraguay shouldn't be underestimated.
Fixtures

Paraguay v England 10 June; KO 15:00; Frankfurt
Paraguay v Sweden 15 June; KO 21:00; Berlin
Paraguay v Trinidad & Tobago 20 June; 21:00 KO; Kaiserslautern
Coach

Anibal Ruiz
Record

1930, 1950, 1958 First Round; 1986, 1998, 2002 Second Round - Paraguay have lost in second round of last two World Cups.


Men to watch

Jose Cardozo, Nelson Haedo Valdez

Predictions & Latest Odds

They could pull off a shock. The difference between the South Americans and England and or Sweden is very small.

How they qualified

They finished 4th in the South America group to qualify for Germany. The highlight of their qualifying run was a 1-0 victory over Argentina.
On the sidelines

Paraguay was crushed several times in the qualifiers. They have a tendency to lose it.

The Squad

Goalkeepers Justo Villar (Newell's Old Boys), Aldo Bobadilla (Libertad), Derlis Gomez (Sportivo Luqueno)
Defenders Denis Caniza (unattached), Carlos Gamarra (Palmeiras), Julio Cesar Caceres (River Plate), Delio Toledo (Real Zaragoza), Paulo Da Silva (Toluca), Julio Cesar Mansur (Guarani), Jorge Nunez (Estudiantes)
Midfielders Edgar Barreto (NEC Nijmegen), Roberto Acuna (Deportivo La Coruna), Carlos Humberto Paredes (Reggina), Julio Dos Santos (Bayern Munich), Cristian Riveros, Carlos Bonet (both Libertad), Jose Montiel (Olimpia), Diego Gavilan (Newell's Old Boys)
Forwards Roque Santa Cruz (Bayern Munich), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Werder Bremen), Jose Saturnino Cardozo (unattached), Salvador Cabanas (Jaguares), Nelson Cuevas (Pachuca)

Paraguay in depth Profile:

http://www.soccerphile.com/soccerphile/teams/paraguay-06.html

ENGLAND

England has under-performed in the history of the World Cup. Inured to disappointment, however, its faithful supporters press on. While the English merrily continue to provide their own worst enemy, the potential to dazzle is undeniable in Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's well-balanced squad.

Well-balanced on paper, that is, and while the hiccups of Belfast and Copenhagen may be firmly behind them, neither the debate over an optimum formation nor the domestic appetite for accentuating the very same problem has been resolved.

Gary Neville may have been missed in Japan/Korea but the accommodation of both him and best friend David Beckham in conventional roles can lead to a reversion to the more predictable, while talents as formidable as Frank Lampard and Steve Gerrard are yet to truly deliver in harness.

The sublime Wayne Rooney may have to resist injury in the latter stages this time if a second tournament win, and on the most preferred territory of all, is not to remain in the realms of English fantasy. For once, the defence may emerge as the strong suit and not the Achilles heel, as the resources quite palpably exist to thrive on enforced rotation.


Fixtures

England v Paraguay 10 June; KO 15:00; Frankfurt
England v Trinidad & Tobago 15 June; KO 18:00; Nuremberg
England v Sweden 20 June; KO 21:00; Cologne
Coach

Sven-Göran Eriksson
Record

1950, 1958 First Round; 1998 Round of 16; 1954, 1962, 1970, 1986, 2002 Quarterfinals; 1990 Semifinals; 1966 champions

Men to watch

Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney (still ) who is Walcott (puhleassse) he will be glad if he get 10 mins of world cup action


Predictions & Latest Odds

Should make it out of the group with Sweden.

How they qualified

England finished at the top of European Group 6 to qualify.
On the sidelines

Following a loss away to Northern Ireland, Coach Sven-Göran Eriksson came under harsh criticism. Beckham has played only fair football for Real Madrid. The team will win or lose courtesy of Rooney, Lampard, or Gerrard.


The Squad

Goalkeepers Paul Robinson (Tottenham), David James (Manchester City), Robert Green (Norwich); Defenders Gary Neville (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea); Midfielders David Beckham (Real Madrid), Michael Carrick (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham); Strikers Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).

England In depth Profile:

http://www.soccerphile.com/soccerphile/teams/england-06.html

Does size really matter? I will say yes and no.

will T n T make any impact in Germany, i will say No.

Remember "we" qualified for the world cup with a hair's breath, the team is just going to enjoy the show as debosky said. Yeah "we" lost all our friendly the last being to the czech republic.

but again sha football no be maths

I tip England and Sweden to go through from the group.

The only team that has the moral fiber to win this world cup is BRAZIL, the others are a sorry tale. This world cup will be one of the most boring. If Brazil doesnt win it it will even be more boring.

what kind of sampling method was used?

corruption is all over the place, it is just saddening that Nigeria(ns) were more noted for this and we are not helping matters either.

nera lady

P-diddy

Barca the king of european clubs! why did Lehman too nip Eto'o? didnt he know that in a match of such calibre such offense carries a red card? why not just let Eto'o score the goal and Arsenal would have had 11 men still with their first choice goalie in goal and perhaps a better shot at winning the match on the long run, the person to blame if you should blame anybody is Lehman.

Up Barca, Barca fan for life!!!

Balogun:
Nicetohave, you definitely have a fan in Rolly!!!

yeah sir i do, she's a cute soul aint she? 

Balogun:
For all you budding medical students and doctors in Nigeria, they have changed the rules about working in the UK. It is more difficult. They have to appoint a local graduate or someone from the European Union before they can consider anyone else for training posts. You might find yourselves frustrated with applying for jobs in the UK unless you know someone high up! For those wanting to go abroad, America might be the best options. Try sitting your examinations when medical school stuff is still fresh in your head

A sharp contrast to what happened this year in the US, where the percentage of the IMG matching into residency programs reached a record high.

Me too

before i go on how do you go about smoking it, i have a few ideas in mind but not sure which one youd chose;

but if youre still interested in smoking it, well maybe it wont kill you instantly but it will do a whole lot of damage to your liver and kidney that youd wish you had died instantly. _{sorry if i mix with some sarcasm}

what in hell is that green thing rhodalyn? 

spikedeyes

_{wrong! the last letter of the preceding word must start your own word.}

wormedup

I got three

tpbm loves pets

jalala

I am not a shrink o but i work with and on women a lot, if that will give you an idea of what i do. so after the psych consult with a shrink of your choice _{and please don't forget to take kola along as i don't think i can be of much help to him}  i can still work on you 

bagoma:
a litre of ant's blood? ha how could i have forgotten such an important item.
whitelady please add that to your list, (not my fault, mr nice is hell-bent on making things more difficult) beats me why you still think he's nice.

between you and Kola, i dont know who should get a psych****** consult first