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Showing posts with label august 14. Show all posts
Showing posts with label august 14. Show all posts

Indonesia vs Philippines August 14, 2013

Posted by baturayk Wednesday, August 14, 2013 0 comments
The Philippine Azkals will face the Indonesian national football team in a friendly game August 14 at the Manahan Stadium, Indonesia in preparation for the upcoming 2014 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup in Maldives.
The Azkals are fresh from their 1-0 victory over Hong Kong in a friendly competition held at the Mong kok Stadium last June.
The victory by the Azkals was significant for the Philippine national football team as it marked the first time the team won over Hong Kong in at least six FIFA-sanctioned games.
Aside from the Maldives games, Asian football teams are preparing for the upcoming 2014 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup competition to be held in Singapore and the 2015 Asian Nations Cup to be held in Australia.
The Azkals have made significant progress in the AFF Suzuki Cup competition with their entry into the 2010 and 2012 semi-finals, finishing fourth place overall.
Azkals’ Coach Michael Weiss will be adding new faces in the game to include Green Archers United Globe goalkeeper Patrick Deyto and Global FC midfielder Mark Hartmann, who played with the team about two years ago.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami told that the Indonesian friendly is a good opportunity for the young talents to develop their skills for future competition.
“We want to test some new players, who could also help us in the future,” said Palami. “The friendly is a good chance to develop talents.” Palami added.
Goalkeepers for the 21-man Azkals lineup are Ed Sacapano (Army) and Patrick Deyto (Green Archers)

Italy vs Argentina August 14, 2013

Posted by baturayk 0 comments
It's been 12 years since Argentina and Italy took the pitch together, and they'll face off on Wednesday in a match different in many ways Italy vs Argentina.

 The last time these teams faced each other was another friendly exhibition in 2001, as the Argentinians pulled off a 2-1 victory. But most fans will remember the unforgettable 1990 World Cup semifinal that Argentina pulled out in penalty kicks. 

Let's break down everything you need to know for Wednesday's match Italy vs Argentina August 14, 2013.

Even with two of the sport's biggest names in Lionel Messi for Argentina and Mario Balotelli for Italy sitting this one out, this friendly clash figures to be one of the day's best. Both sides will be trotting out incredibly talented rosters, although the honor of most talented likely rests with the South Americans. With a deep attacking corps to pull from and a solid group of midfielders, La Albiceleste play a fun, up-tempo style of play that few on the planet can keep up with.

However, the Italians rank as one of those few teams. What they lack in finishing with Balotelli out, the azzurri make up for with midfield and defensive skill. This team can lock down even the most formidable of offensive attacks, and head coach Cesare Prandelli is slowly but surely pulling this team out of its shell and forcing it to attack more frequently. 
In other words, even without their two biggest stars, these teams figure to put on one heck of a show in Italy vs Argentina Live Stream. 

Italy vs Argentina August 14, 2013
Italy vs Argentina August 14, 2013

Germany vs Paraguay August 14, 2013

Posted by baturayk 0 comments
Germany vs Paraguay are set for a high-profile friendly match before turning their attention back to World Cup qualifying next month. The match comes at a tricky time as players from both sides are just getting their European club seasons underway.

Die Mannschaft are in good shape when it comes to qualifying for Brazil. They lead UEFA Group C by five points with four matches to go. Barring a complete meltdown, they should punch their World Cup ticket in the near future.

Things haven't gone as good for Paraguay. La Albirroja sit in last place in the South American group and are in danger of being eliminated from contention. It's a disappointing turn of events for a country that's reached the last four World Cups.

Let's examine all the key information for the friendly clash, followed by a match preview and a prediction.

Terrific depth is the reason Germany is dangerous heading into a World Cup year, and it will be on full display against Paraguay. Even without Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gotze, who are two key assets, the Germans have put together an elite squad.

Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller lead a young midfield that should reach its peak just in time for the World Cup. Even without Schweinsteiger, the Germans should have little trouble controlling the middle of the pitch with players like Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan stepping up to fill the void.
Up front, the veteran duo of Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose have combined to score over 90 international goals. Having a midfield that consistently creates scoring opportunities certainly helps, but they are both great finishers, as well.

Thus the German squad really has no glaring weakness. Add in the fact they are playing at home, and this should be a match the Germans should control throughout.

The biggest problem for Paraguay, which ranks last in scoring and second-last in goals allowed in South American qualifying, has been the inability to replace veterans with a wave of new talent. That helps explain the sudden drop off.


Germany vs Paraguay August 14, 2013
Germany vs Paraguay August 14, 2013


The roster for Wednesday's friendly Germany vs Paraguay Live Stream features a lack of experience at the back. Aside from Da Silva, no other defender has 20 international appearances under their belt, which is a worrisome sign as Paraguay get set to face a star-studded German attack.


Portugal vs Netherlands August 14, 2013

Posted by baturayk 0 comments
Wednesday brings us a friendly of two international powers Portugal vs Netherlands Live Stream, as Portugal host the Netherlands at Estadio Algarve.

The Netherlands roll into this match fifth in the world soccer rankings, and Portugal football is just behind them at seventh seed. Also, they both have been in good form as of late. Portugal football club has won three straight, and the Netherlands football have won four. 

The pitch will be full of stars in this one. Most notably is a battle of strikers that is as good as it gets. Cristiano Ronaldo is set to go for Portugal, while the Netherlands will counter with Robin van Persie. 

This match will have special significance for Van Persie. Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal left former captain Wesley Sneijder off the roster for this match, so Van Persie will assume the role of captain in this clash.

These two last met at Euro 2012 in a Group B match. Portugal edged out the 2-1 victory on the strength of two goals by Ronaldo.

Portugal vs Netherlands August 14, 2013
Portugal vs Netherlands August 14, 2013

Van Persie’s appointment as captain is well deserved. The 30-year-old earned his first of 76 caps in 2005 and has 35 goals in that span.

That's not all that surprising. Van Persie is a tremendous striker of the ball and is creative in possession; he is always one of the premier players on the pitch no matter how talented those around him are. 

He also isn't showing any signals of offseason rust. In four games started this summer (including international and club play), Van Persie has already scored three goals. 
He is focal point of the Netherlands' attack, and Portugal will undoubtedly pay extra attention to him in the hopes of stifling the opposition attack. 
As great as Van Persie is, he is not piling up his impressive stats on his own. He is surrounded by talent, and he enjoys the impressively accurate crosses of Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben.
Robben plays with tremendous smarts and pace. He can break down a defense, create space and fashion opportunities for his teammates.

Robben's power allows him to score a few goals on his own, but his real value to the Netherlands is his ability to create. If Portugal wants to succeed in Portugal vs Netherlands, they will have to keep Robben from feeding Van Persie excellent looks on goal. 

 Cristiano Ronaldo needs no introduction, but I'm going to give him one anyway.
There is no denying he is the heart and soul of this Portugal team. Even when he isn't scoring goals, he is a benefit to his team simply through the amount of defensive attention he commands.
The 28-year-old has "just" 39 goals in 102 career caps. I put "just" in quotes because for most it wouldn't apply. However, considering Ronaldo's prodigious goalscoring throughout his career, this is a bit underwhelming. 

This has been more due to the defensive attention paid to him and the lack of talent around him, than his own performances. 

However, he had no such problems against the Netherlands the last time these two met. We'll see if he can duplicate the brace he picked up in that contest.