'kin hel_l, i'll have some of that as well. you must be mental.

Sorry Stevie but I'm only taking money from the scammers this time round.

Nigeria & S Korea will be different to Canada me thinks..

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Argies going out in teh Group Stages..

Argentina will win the World Cup. Willing to risk a few baht singhy?

Excuse me, can i have some of this. My 1k on the table now. Please confirm asap Mr Smokie.

Argentina will be all over the place, coached by a looney

Nigeria & S Korea will be different to Canada me thinks..

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Argies going out in teh Group Stages..

Argentina will win the World Cup. Willing to risk a few baht singhy?

Excuse me, can i have some of this. My 1k on the table now. Please confirm asap Mr Smokie.

Argentina will be all over the place, coached by a looney

If I let you have a slice carmine will I get paid out before the next World Cup?

they've got some players no doubt but i can't see a team playing veron and four centrebacks across its back line winning this tournament. even if they have got messi.

See my earlier post they are playing 3 at the back 3-5-2 or 3-1-4-1-1

if they play that any team with reasonably good attacking fullbacks will pull them to pieces.

'kin hel_l, i'll have some of that as well. you must be mental.

Sorry Stevie but I'm only taking money from the scammers this time round.

you aren't taking anyone's money.

^thats the way they will play Stevie (3 games no goals against)and anyone that dares to push full backs up to much against them will get punished,like i said a good bet spread wise for games with plenty of goals!

Its great to see a team playing to its strenghs and defence most certainly isn't Argentina's but with Messi in the side anything is possible....1986 anyone?

Its great to see a team playing to its strenghs and defence most certainly isn't Argentina's but with Messi in the side anything is possible....1986 anyone?

Erhmm yes it is, so can i have the bet?

RSVP

^thats the way they will play Stevie (3 games no goals against)and anyone that dares to push full backs up to much against them will get punished,like i said a good bet spread wise for games with plenty of goals!

it's not about 'daring' though, it's a simple question of numbers. a team playing a 4-2-3-1 formation with attacking fullbacks will pull that weird shape to bits.

Its great to see a team playing to its strenghs and defence most certainly isn't Argentina's but with Messi in the side anything is possible....1986 anyone?

Erhmm yes it is, so can i have the bet?

RSVP

Check ur PM's.

Its great to see a team playing to its strenghs and defence most certainly isn't Argentina's but with Messi in the side anything is possible....1986 anyone?

Erhmm yes it is, so can i have the bet?

RSVP

Check ur PM's.

The bets on. Care for a wager on the French tennis open aswell?

Its great to see a team playing to its strenghs and defence most certainly isn't Argentina's but with Messi in the side anything is possible....1986 anyone?

Erhmm yes it is, so can i have the bet?

RSVP

Check ur PM's.

The bets on. Care for a wager on the French tennis open aswell?

As long as I'm backing Nadal.... A patriotic flutter on the Brit for you carmine?

As long as I'm backing Nadal.... A patriotic flutter on the Brit for you carmine?

he's only a brit when he wins. when he loses he's immediately 'scotland's andy murray'.

As long as I'm backing Nadal.... A patriotic flutter on the Brit for you carmine?

he's only a brit when he wins. when he loses he's immediately 'scotland's andy murray'.

Correct Stevie and no thanks Smokie. I'm very happy with the Argie wager. Singhy and i will be drinking our winnings soon after the group stages i would say

The bet is mine, long live the bet..

You're on foolish Y*d, please don't be stereotypical when it come round to payment too as it will cause embaressment to all..

The bet is mine, long live the bet..

You're on foolish Y*d, please don't be stereotypical when it come round to payment too as it will cause embaressment to all..

Don't worry singhy I've made special arrangements for collecting from Mr carmine.

The bet is mine, long live the bet..

You're on foolish Y*d, please don't be stereotypical when it come round to payment too as it will cause embaressment to all..

Don't worry singhy I've made special arrangements for collecting from Mr carmine.

shats that then smoko?? if you go to the bar in pairs, you can claim to have bought a round, mugggy carnts

FRANCE 2-1 COSTA RICA

Dream debut for Valbuena

Les Bleus battle to unconvincing win

Last updated: 26th May 2010

Mathieu Valbuena marked his debut for France with the winning goal in a 2-1 friendly victory over Costa Rica.

A battling win for Les Bleus will have done little to silence those critics already writing off Raymond Domenech's side ahead of this summer's World Cup.

They fell behind in their latest outing to an early effort from Carlos Hernandez but hit back through Franck Ribery.

It looked for a long time as though an inspired performance from goalkeeper Keylor Navas would secure an unlikely draw for Costa Rica, but Valbuena struck seven minutes from time to spare France's blushes.

After early French pressure, Sidney Govou forced Navas to parry his shot around the post but Florent Malouda's corner came to nothing.

And Costa Rica struck against the run of play in the 11th minute when midfielder Hernandez's low 25-yard strike beat keeper Steve Mandanda and nestled in the bottom corner.

Response

France responded with a Ribery drive which Navas blocked, before Yoann Gourcuff sent an ambitious 35-yard free-kick goalwards.

Navas was equal to that 21st-minute effort, but he could do nothing a minute later when Jeremy Toulalan played in Ribery to slot the ball left-footed across the keeper and inside the far post.

Bryan Ruiz saw a long-range effort tipped over by Mandanda before Gourcuff shot over from 20 yards.

The visitors went close to restoring their lead as Michael Barrantes swung in a left-wing corner to the centre of the penalty area, where Ruiz rose highest to head against the crossbar.

Ticos striker Josue Martinez departed with a serious-looking injury to be replaced by Winston Parks, and Navas made another sharp save from Ribery just before half-time.

France defender William Gallas had been handed a starting berth as he sought to prove his fitness following a calf injury, but was replaced by Sebastien Squillaci at the interval.

Warning

Gourcuff was to the fore early in the second half, firing a warning shot wide from 20 yards before a second effort from much further out was tipped over by Navas.

Another half-time substitute, Thierry Henry, then failed to find the target from within the six-yard box before the impressive Navas tipped another Gourcuff drive around the post.

Valbuena replaced Govou and soon shot wide from 18 yards, and Navas denied Squillaci from close range after Gourcuff's corner was not cleared.

Parks and Randall Azofeifa threatened from distance for the South American side, with Henry seeing an effort blocked by Gonzalo Segares in between times.

But Valbuena made the crucial impact on 83 minutes when he was teed up by Abou Diaby and drove the ball low beyond Navas from 25 yards.

Andre-Pierre Gignac replaced Ribery and twice threatened to add a third as France comfortably saw the game out.

HOLLAND 2-1 MEXICO

Double Dutch for Van Persie

Gunners hit-man downs Mexicans

Last updated: 26th May 2010

A brace from Robin van Persie saw Holland step up their World Cup preparations with a 2-1 friendly win over Mexico on Wednesday.

The Arsenal striker opened the scoring after 17 minutes in Freiburg before doubling the Dutch lead shortly before half-time.

Manchester United new-boy Javier Hernandez pulled one back for the Mexicans after the break but they slipped to a second defeat in the space of a week, having gone down 3-1 against England on Monday.

Stijn Schaars and Demy De Zeeuw were handed chances to impress in the Dutch midfield, with Khalid Boulahrouz starting in defence as coach Bert van Marwijk prepares to confirm his 23-man squad for South Africa on Thursday.

Mexico gave starts to the likes of Hernandez, veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco and goalkeeper Francisco Ochoa, with defenders Rafael Marquez and Carlos Salcido and striker Guillermo Franco, who is to be released by West Ham, among those to make way.

De Zeeuw had an early attempt on goal for Oranje before Van Persie and Dirk Kuyt both forced saves from Ochoa during a busy opening for the Mexican keeper.

And the early pressure paid off as Van Persie opened the scoring. Rafael Van der Vaart did well to find space on the left of the box and his ball across goal left Van Persie with the easy task of turning the ball home.

Settled

Mexico finally began to settle after their poor start, with Gerardo Torrado and Andres Guardado proving lively as Javier Aguirre's side began to look a more threatening proposition.

But they were two goals down after 41 minutes thanks to an excellent Van Persie finish.

Ibrahim Afellay was the provider on this occasion, the PSV midfielder's cross allowing Van Persie to meet the ball on the volley and beat a helpless Ochoa.

Both sides made changes at the break and Mexico continued to improve, substitute Pablo Barrera forcing a sharp save from Maarten Stekelenburg with an angled drive.

But the flow of the game was affected as both managers made further changes at regular intervals, although Hernandez took advantage of one of the few clear-cut chances in the second half to head home a Jorge Torres cross in the 74th minute.

Stekelenburg did well to keep out Giovani Dos Santos' piledriver, and the Tottenham midfielder then fired wide when well placed a matter of minutes later.

Afellay was narrowly off target with a long-range strike in the dying seconds as the match petered out.

The bet is mine, long live the bet..

You're on foolish Y*d, please don't be stereotypical when it come round to payment too as it will cause embaressment to all..

Don't worry singhy I've made special arrangements for collecting from Mr carmine.

Where's all these suggestions that i don't pay up on my bets coming from? Thats deformation of character

Fortunately this time i won't have to

Where's all these suggestions that i don't pay up on my bets coming from? Thats deformation of character

Fortunately this time i won't have to

Gulp see you in court.....

The bet is mine, long live the bet..

You're on foolish Y*d, please don't be stereotypical when it come round to payment too as it will cause embaressment to all..

Don't worry singhy I've made special arrangements for collecting from Mr carmine.

Where's all these suggestions that i don't pay up on my bets coming from? Thats deformation of character

Don't know, it's weird isn't it T*ttenham Fan ??

Another reason I hope the Argies fall flat on their faces...

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has promised to run naked in the centre of Buenos Aires if his team win the World Cup in South Africa. (The Times)

Perhaps you two should PM each other as to not break the rules

On a different note, I am sure J-Star has too much time on his hands now, why doesnt he set up a World Cup prediction competition???

Do one Jimbo you Teacher..

I don't have time mate - nor the patience to deal with you lot.

I didn't actually mean it like....................Oh never mind..

Haha that's funny

Perhaps you two should PM each other as to not break the rules

On a different note, I am sure J-Star has too much time on his hands now, why doesnt he set up a World Cup prediction competition???

No chance. I'm happy to have my time back.

BTW James is right, best to take this to PM. As in the old rules gambling was covered, since it is illegal in Thailand.

Perhaps you two should PM each other as to not break the rules

On a different note, I am sure J-Star has too much time on his hands now, why doesnt he set up a World Cup prediction competition???

No chance. I'm happy to have my time back.

BTW James is right, best to take this to PM. As in the old rules gambling was covered, since it is illegal in Thailand.

or at least refer to it as Dosh.

Do one Jimbo you Teacher..

I don't have time mate - nor the patience to deal with you lot.

I didn't actually mean it like....................Oh never mind..

Haha that's funny

Finally, thanks Dev...

GERMANY 24-0 EPPAN

Germany enjoy warm-up romp

Low's team batter amateur outfit

Germany's preparations for the World Cup finals were aided as they recorded a 24-0 hammering of an amateur team.

Joachim's Low side were enjoying a workout against a young local team from Eppan, with frontmen Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez bearing significant fruit as they plundered five goals apiece.

Piotr Trochowski (three), Andreas Beck (two), Toni Kroos (two), Arne Friedrich (one) and Sami Khedira (one), all found the net, while strikers Cacau and Stefan Kiessling scored two each.

Germany will face much tougher tests in Group D when they come up against Australia, Serbia and Ghana, but Stuttgart man Cacau said his team were looking forward to getting started on 13th June against the Australians.

He said: "I am enjoying the atmosphere. The tension is rising every day as the World Cup beckons and we are all really looking forward to it getting started."

Low has other more pressing matters to worry about in the meantime, with the coach expected to announce Philipp Lahm as his new captain on Thursday.

Leadership qualities

Michael Ballack's absence from the tournament through injury means the Germans are in need of a new leader and the Bayern Munich defender is believed to be in line to receive the armband.

The decision has not been welcomed in some quarters, though, with former No.1 and skipper Oliver Kahn convinced the 26-year-old would not be the right choice.

He told Munich newspaper Tz: "You have a huge responsibility as captain of the national team and the player who wears the armband must always lead the way.

"Lahm still has to prove whether he has the leadership qualities for the whole tournament.

"A World Cup is very long and there are tough phases. As the captain, you must always be positive and courageous.

"Philipp is a great footballer, but I don't know whether he is mature enough for this."

Holland name World Cup squad

Van Marwijk cuts final four for this summer

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has confirmed his 23-man squad for this summer's World Cup.

Van Marwijk cut the final four players from his provisional squad on Thursday following his team's first warm-up game against Mexico on Wednesday night.

Ajax youngster Vurnon Anita, Feyenoord centre-back Ron Vlaar, PSV Eindhoven midfielder Orlando Engelaar and AZ Alkmaar forward Jeremain Lens are the four men to miss out.

Anita made his senior international debut against Mexico as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 win, but he will not be travelling to South Africa.

Engelaar was the only one of the four to have previous experience of a major tournament having played at Euro 2008 under previous coach Marco van Basten.

Vlaar had a strong season with Feyenoord but has missed much of Holland's training camp in Austria through injury, while Lens was also a surprise inclusion in the original squad.

Babel relief

Lens was competing with Liverpool's Ryan Babel for a place on the plane and Van Marwijk opted for Babel's greater experience.

Holland's final friendlies are against Ghana (1st June) and Hungary (5th June), while they have been drawn in Group E in South Africa, where they will open against Denmark on 14th June before taking on Japan and Cameroon.

Holland squad

Goalkeepers: Sander Boschker (FC Twente), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht)

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Bayern Munich), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid)

Forwards: Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Eljero Elia (Hamburg), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Robin van Persie (Arsenal).

Essien out of World Cup

Black Stars midfielder ruled out with knee injury

Ghana have been dealt a major blow with the news that Michael Essien will not be fit for the World Cup.

The 27-year-old Chelsea midfielder has been battling knee and ankle injuries for much of this season and it means he will not recover fully until the end of July.

Essien picked up the knee knock whilst on international duty for Ghana during the African Cup of Nations earlier in the year, and will now miss the first ever World Cup on his home continent.

Ghana manager Milovan Rajevac had hoped the former Lyon man would be passed fit for the showpiece tournament in South Africa, but he now faces more time on the sidelines.

A statement on the Ghana website said: "Black Stars midfielder, Michael Essien, has been ruled out of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

"An evaluation by a combined team of medical experts from the Ghana Football Association and Chelsea Football Club revealed that Essien will not make full recovery until the end of July.

"The Ghana Football Association wishes him full recovery and a quick return to football action."

Essien played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany four years ago in what was the Black Stars' first appearance in the tournament.

This year Ghana have been drawn in Group D alongside Australia, Germany and Serbia.

^ Its not a bad squad. Just wonder which of them will be throwing the toys out of the pram this time around.....