Posted on 06/09/2014 2:20:08 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
The U.S. headed to Brazil with boosted faith Sunday after going undefeated in its sendoff series for the first time.
Playing only its third match in nine months against a World Cup team, the U.S. defense appeared firmer in a 2-1 win over Nigeria after the decision to start both Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman in midfield. And Jozy Altidore broke a six-month scoreless streak for club and country with a pair of goals, including a flashy effort when he cut inside Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo and slotted in a right-footed shot from 12 yards.
“This game gives us confidence, but the whole send-off series should give us confidence,” defender Matt Besler said Saturday night.
(Excerpt) Read more at journalgazette.net ...
I've sure heard about that.
I've read about 3 World Cup books including one of the best which would be Brian Glanville's.
Brian Glanville started World Soccer magazine decades ago. He's very opinionated so if one has problems with that, perhaps pass him by. Columns
Brian Glanville column on Wayne Rooney, really, this is probably closer to the truth than the laudatory articles above:
http://www.worldsoccer.com/columnists/brian-glanville/time-wayne-rooney
Excerpt:
“MIAMI (AP) — Jordan Ayew scored three times after entering the game as an injury replacement Monday, and Ghana won its last warmup match for next week’s World Cup opener by beating South Korea 4-0.
Ghana plays the United States next Monday in Natal, Brazil. The Black Stars eliminated the Americans from the World Cup in 2006 and 2010.
“We want USA!” Ghanian fans chanted in the second half.”
http://www.chron.com/sports/article/Ghana-wins-warmup-before-World-Cup-opener-5540281.php
Statement by the Black Stars with such an impressive win, this isn’t that good of news for the other teams in the group and yet, Ghana is something like #44 FIFA rankings.
Coverage in Ghana (MyJoy) http://www.myjoyonline.com/sports/2014/June-10th/update-ghana-2-0-south-korea.php
I expect African teams to do very well in Brazil. We’ll be lucky to get a tie against Ghana.
Iran, coached by former Portugal, South Africa and Real Madrid boss Carlos Queiroz, opened its World Cup preparations with three warm-ups in Austria, 0-0 draws against Belarus and Montenegro, then a 1-1 draw with Angola.
http://www.persianfootball.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?4-Persian-Football-Discussion-Community
A few Iranian players have made the Bundesliga. There is that movie, Iranian movie, where the plot is that some females disguise themselves as men and go try to watch the Iran National Soccer Team play. That director has had a few of his films banned in Iran or at least not looked favorably there. It's a comedy, not bad.
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