World Cup 2010 Thread

[TCO]

lol North Korea

North Korea have been told by Fifa that Kim Myong-won will only be able to play as a goalkeeper in the World Cup and not in his usual role as a striker.

The North Korean coach, Kim Jong-hun decided to name only two regular goalkeepers in his squad with Kim, who plays for Amrokgang, as the back-up.

It was seen as an attempt to boost the nation's attacking options as they prepare to face Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G.

However, the move has backfired spectacularly after Fifa confirmed that Kim will only be allowed to play as a goalkeeper, not as an outfield player. Unless there is an injury, no changes will be permitted to their final squad.

In a statement, world football's governing body said: "The squad lists that the teams had provided to Fifa by 1 June 2010 are final and can no longer be changed. On the final lists must be no more than 23 players, three of whom shall be goalkeepers.

"The only exception is in the case of a serious injury of a player in the list of 23, who could be replaced up until 24 hours before the first match of the team in the competition.

"The three players listed as goalkeepers can only play as goalkeepers during the World Cup and cannot play outfield. This will be communicated to the teams in the team arrival meetings and will be enforced on match days."

The statement added: "Kim Myong-won will not be allowed to play as an outfield player if he has been put on the list as a goalkeeper."

I really hope their two actual keepers get injured in the first game to watch the hilarity that would follow.

[Herr Matzat]

Apperently no one got injured during last years germany match. A clear sign for the apocalyps.

[Farmer Reil]

lol North Korea

North Korea have been told by Fifa that Kim Myong-won will only be able to play as a goalkeeper in the World Cup and not in his usual role as a striker.

The North Korean coach, Kim Jong-hun decided to name only two regular goalkeepers in his squad with Kim, who plays for Amrokgang, as the back-up.

It was seen as an attempt to boost the nation's attacking options as they prepare to face Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G.

However, the move has backfired spectacularly after Fifa confirmed that Kim will only be allowed to play as a goalkeeper, not as an outfield player. Unless there is an injury, no changes will be permitted to their final squad.

In a statement, world football's governing body said: "The squad lists that the teams had provided to Fifa by 1 June 2010 are final and can no longer be changed. On the final lists must be no more than 23 players, three of whom shall be goalkeepers.

"The only exception is in the case of a serious injury of a player in the list of 23, who could be replaced up until 24 hours before the first match of the team in the competition.

"The three players listed as goalkeepers can only play as goalkeepers during the World Cup and cannot play outfield. This will be communicated to the teams in the team arrival meetings and will be enforced on match days."

The statement added: "Kim Myong-won will not be allowed to play as an outfield player if he has been put on the list as a goalkeeper."

I really hope their two actual keepers get injured in the first game to watch the hilarity that would follow.

It wouldn't be that hilarious. The whole reason he's in the squad is because he's an above average keeper (for an outfield player), so he could play there if desperate. They just hoped to play him up front until he was needed in goal, which has backfired.

In other news, Rio's gone to hospital with a knee injury. No indication yet of how bad it is, but I'm not too worried since Ledley's in the squad.

Edited June 4, 2010 by Farmer Reil

[new_era]

Didier Drogba is out of the World Cup, he's fractured his elbow with 15 minutes left against Japan in Ivory Coast's last warm up game.

Rio Ferdidnand has been taken to hospital for a scan after suffering a suspected twisted knee after a challenge from Emile Heskey, it would also rule him out of the World Cup. Michael Dawson is waiting in the wings to replace him!

Edited June 4, 2010 by new_era

[therockbox]

Disappointed Drogba will probably miss out. As much of a bellend he is he's one of the best striker's in the world, and for him to miss the first World Cup on Africa soil would be a massive shame.

[HailtotheYo]

Oh wow, that's horrid. I really feel for the man (and Africa) should he miss out. That really, really sucks.

[Dynamite]

Gutted for Drogba. I actually like the guy and it's a shame one of the best strikers in the world can't play. Is Rio definately out?

[therockbox]

Yep, Rio's out:

Confirmed on the BBC

So what do we do? Rotate between King and one of Dawson/Upson/Carragher depending on the state of Ledley's knees, or pick on of the latter three and play them alongside Terry as 'first choice'?

[Farmer Reil]

Apparently Drogba's not confirmed as missing the whole World Cup. Possibly just the group games. Which considering they're in with Portugal and Brazil is probably the same thing without him. That's shit.

Clearly we should ban injuries. They ruin the sport. ¬_¬

Rio's confirmed as out though, which to be honest isn't a massive deal. Yeah, he's our captain, but King/Carragher isn't exactly terrible backup. ¬_¬

Also, who's looking forward to the Michael Bradley/Wayne Rooney WBA World Title fight?

Edited June 4, 2010 by Farmer Reil

[HailtotheYo]

Also, who's looking forward to the Michael Bradley/Wayne Rooney WBA World Title fight?

heh, yeah that should be fun ... of course Gooch will probably try to step in and end up tearing his other knee

[Powerhart]

Didier Drogba is out of the World Cup, he's fractured his elbow with 15 minutes left against Japan in Ivory Coast's last warm up game.

Rio Ferdidnand has been taken to hospital for a scan after suffering a suspected twisted knee after a challenge from Emile Heskey, it would also rule him out of the World Cup. Michael Dawson is waiting in the wings to replace him!

Just found out that that game was a 135-minute game, three 45-minutes periods, not sure at what period did Drogba get injured but if it was after the first 90-minutes then it's the Sven's fault. I think Ivory Coast was the last chance for an African team to succeed in the Cup since Ghana lost Essien, South Africa can't do anything, Cameroon aren't what they used to be and now Ivory Coast lost Drogba; they still have Kalou though.

[stokeriño]

Kalou's all well and good when the players around him are of a suitably high class. Not sure that enough of the Cote d'Ivoire's team is, though...

[Colly]

lol North Korea

North Korea have been told by Fifa that Kim Myong-won will only be able to play as a goalkeeper in the World Cup and not in his usual role as a striker.

The North Korean coach, Kim Jong-hun decided to name only two regular goalkeepers in his squad with Kim, who plays for Amrokgang, as the back-up.

It was seen as an attempt to boost the nation's attacking options as they prepare to face Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G.

However, the move has backfired spectacularly after Fifa confirmed that Kim will only be allowed to play as a goalkeeper, not as an outfield player. Unless there is an injury, no changes will be permitted to their final squad.

In a statement, world football's governing body said: "The squad lists that the teams had provided to Fifa by 1 June 2010 are final and can no longer be changed. On the final lists must be no more than 23 players, three of whom shall be goalkeepers.

"The only exception is in the case of a serious injury of a player in the list of 23, who could be replaced up until 24 hours before the first match of the team in the competition.

"The three players listed as goalkeepers can only play as goalkeepers during the World Cup and cannot play outfield. This will be communicated to the teams in the team arrival meetings and will be enforced on match days."

The statement added: "Kim Myong-won will not be allowed to play as an outfield player if he has been put on the list as a goalkeeper."

I really hope their two actual keepers get injured in the first game to watch the hilarity that would follow.

It wouldn't be that hilarious. The whole reason he's in the squad is because he's an above average keeper (for an outfield player), so he could play there if desperate. They just hoped to play him up front until he was needed in goal, which has backfired.

Also, what a shit rule. Nations should be able to pick any combination of 23 and play them wherever they want, if you gamble on two keepers and end up with Rooney in goal that should be the managers decision, not FIFAs. Anti North Korea conspiracy I tells ya!

[Pesci]

Gutted for Drogba. With a realistic chance of getting through a group with Portugal and Brazil in it, and actually expected to by a fair few people, this would've been the biggest tournament of his career and his best chance to cement his legacy. He's been phenomenal this season and a good World Cup would've been the icing on the cake, but eh. Also give Portugal a much better chance of qualifying now, which annoys me to no end.

As for Rio, who knows what this will mean. King has had the better season, but would our defence really improve with him in it? I like him but I can't see him stepping in and being awesome or anything. Probably just gonna be shakey at the back whoever we play there.

[Dynamite]

Is there an EWB Fantasy Football league set up yet?

[stokeriño]

Mikel is now also ruled out of the World Cup for Nigeria.

The Chelsea players are dropping like flies...

[Herr Matzat]

Some witchdoctor seems to be working pritty efective voodoo on this world cup.

[The Quasi Juice]

Robben just limped off the pitch at the 86th minute, probably a serious injury, fuck shit fuck ass. He's Holland's Messi. This sucks.

[Lineker]

Suspected pulled hamstring, according to goal.com so he should take part at some stage?

[The Quasi Juice]

Suspected pulled hamstring, according to goal.com so he should take part at some stage?

They can't possibly know, he's not even at the hospital yet. Probably hamstring because he felt a sharp sting when it happened and he was dragging his leg when he walked off. Knowing Robben, probably 2 months or so