Archive: Angola
The Unknown Goal-Scorer
U.S. 1, Angola 0: Not a whole lot of detail available to any member of the MSM (mainstream soccer media). The AP account has this gem: Even Angola coach Luis Oliviera Goncalves wasn't sure who scored. "They didn't wear numbers, and the United States didn't want to give names of players," Goncalves said. Yet, the reporter felt secure reporting: United States captain Claudio Reyna was the best player for the Americans, who also tested backup goalkeeper Tim Howard later in the match. I guess Arena likes it this way, but the degree of secrecy seems a little silly to me. UPDATE: The Associated Press has sent a new story out -- a "write-thru," in newspaper talk. It starts with this note to editors: Eds: UPDATES with McBride scoring goal, other details. Also includes this: Angola team spokesman Arlindo Macedo said U.S. captain Claudio Reyna was impressive for the Americans, though...
By Jon DeNunzio | June 5, 2006; 03:40 PM ET | Comments (35) | TrackBack (0)
Who Do You Like in Group D?
Ok, it's Friday, time for some predictions. Here's some background on Group D: - Steve Goff's group analysis (written the day of the draw). - The Post's short team previews (also written in December). BBC team previews: - Angola - Iran (please note the emphasis on Iran's one WC victory -- vs. the U.S. in 1998) - Mexico (also some good reading here) - Portugal My thoughts: Hard to imagine huge surprises in this group. Iran and Angola just don't seem viable picks to advance. Yes, the U.S. wishes it got the seed the Mexicans did. Oh well. 1. Portugal 2. Mexico 3. Angola (this is my only surprise -- the Angolans will play a good team close and beat Iran, taking third) 4. Iran...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 5, 2006; 12:10 PM ET | Comments (28) | TrackBack (0)
Morning Kick-About
Some items of interest: - Angola's Gilberto is out -- snapped Achilles' tendon (that has to hurt). "Gilberto was a regular for his country in last year's qualifying campaign and also helped his club to win the 2005 African Champions League." - Iran's coach admits his team is, at this point, not well prepared for Germany. But it's not because of the geopolitical tension, he swears. - Some doubts persist about Tim Cahill's recovery. Cahill plays for Everton and, he hopes, Australia this summer. - Brazil F Oliveira is holding out hope he can still land a spot on the team. Best part (emphasis mine): Yet even if he were fully fit, the task would be far from easy, facing as he does fierce competition from players such as Fred of French champions Lyon and Nilmar of Corinthians. - Poland loses a friendly to Lithuania. Despite the fact that a...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 4, 2006; 09:55 AM ET | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
Lunchtime Kick-About
What else is going on? - Angola is trying to get FIFA to allow two former Portuguese U-21/junior level players to play for its team in June. Interestingly, Angola's first World Cup opponent ... Portugal. - Spain MF Xavi returned to action over the weekend. - SuperPippo edges closer to a spot on Italy's roster. He had both goals for AC Milan vs. Livorn over the weekend ... - Oliver Kahn will retire from Bayern Munich after 2008. - Der Kaiser says Michael Ballack has already left Bayern Munich for Chelsea, mentally. I could do this whole blog off prounouncements from Beckenbauer, Mattaeus and Blatter, btw ... - In fairness, I should put out Nike's claim that they had nothing to do with Rooney's injury. Actually, I would find it hard to believe that a new-style cleat is really at the root of this injury, or others like it. That...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 1, 2006; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Francesco Totti, Michael Stipe and Akwa
If you've been paying attention so far, you're probably not surprised that I am starting here: Italy Coach Marcelo Lippi checks up on Francesco Totti, who seems to be well on the road to recovery. Doctor Pierpaolo Mariani, who operated on Totti, said he was confident the Roma captain would be ready for the FIFA World Cup. "For me, Francesco's injury has fully healed. We are amazed by his speedy recovery. He is about 15 days ahead of schedule." Meanwhile ... - I told you that Lothar Mattaeus's endorsement would not help Memhet Scholl: Klinsmann is not interested in the 35-year-old. Speaking of Scholl, listen to "Letter Never Sent" off R.E.M.'s Reckoning some time -- when Michael Stipe gets to the first words of the chorus, doesn't it sound like he is singing "Memhet Scholl" ... just a little? I mean, I know he's not actually singing that, but, well,...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 21, 2006; 12:50 PM ET | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
