FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Michael Owen on His Way to Manchester United? http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/03/michael-owen-on-his-way-to-manchester-united/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/03/michael-owen-on-his-way-to-manchester-united/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/03/michael-owen-on-his-way-to-manchester-united/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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Michael Owen is set to sign for Manchester United File this one away under something that nobody, I mean nobody, saw coming. Michael Owen was at Manchester United's training ground for medical tests and could sign with the Premier League champions before Friday is over.

It's not too often that a transfer is actually shocking, but if this one goes down it's a Grade A stunner. After losing Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez it's hard to fathom that Sir Alex Ferguson is chasing down a player who could barely stay on the field during his star-crossed tenure at Newcastle United. In fact, I read somewhere that Ronaldo and Tevez scored more goals the last two seasons than Owen made appearances.

 

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]]> carlos tevezCarlosTevezcristiano ronaldoCristianoRonaldomanchester unitedManchesterUnitedmichael owenMichaelOwensoccer Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-07-03T10:38:00 00:00 US Adds Seven to Gold Cup Roster http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/02/us-adds-seven-to-gold-cup-roster/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/02/us-adds-seven-to-gold-cup-roster/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/02/us-adds-seven-to-gold-cup-roster/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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Jozy Altidore was one of seven players added to the Gold Cup roster Thursday. When the U.S. Soccer Federation announced the roster for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup in the midst of the U.S.'s surprising run to the Confederations Cup final, the general consensus was that the lineup was thoroughly a "B" team. After all, the supposed "A" team had done enough work in upsetting then-FIFA No. 1 Spain, and giving newly minted top dog Brazil a run for its money, before losing 3-2 last week.

On Wednesday, CONCACAF said it would allow the U.S. to add seven players to the already 23-man roster for the Gold Cup due to playing in back-to-back competitions barely separated by a week and, more importantly, over 10,000 miles. Thursday the USSF announced those seven players -- all members of the Confederations Cup roster -- upgrading the roster to a solid "B+."

 

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]]> bob bradleyBobBradleyCharlie DaviesCharlieDaviesfreddy aduFreddyAdugold cupGoldCupjozy altidoreJozyAltidoresoccerusmnt Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-07-02T11:58:00 00:00 Cristiano Ronaldo Doesn't Like Being Followed http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/02/cristiano-ronaldo-doesnt-like-being-followed/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/02/cristiano-ronaldo-doesnt-like-being-followed/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/02/cristiano-ronaldo-doesnt-like-being-followed/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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Cristiano Ronaldo allegedly was in an altercation with a teenager following him earlier this week. Wednesday superstar Cristiano Ronaldo officially completed his world-record transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid. Perhaps the pressure is already getting to the Portuguese winger, as England's Sun newspaper alleges he got in a bit of a dust up with a 17-year-old female fan following him in Lisbon on Sunday by kicking in a window of a car she was sitting on.

Of course, usually anything that comes from the always reputable Sun (sarcasm alert) ought to be taken with a slight grain of salt. The paper also said Ronaldo apologized for the alleged incident, citing the fact his mother was with him when it occurred.

 

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]]> cristiano ronaldoCristianoRonaldofranck riberyFranckRiberykakareal madridRealMadridsoccer Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-07-02T10:21:00 00:00 Benzema Latest Lured to Real Madrid? http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/01/benzema-latest-lured-to-real-madrid/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/01/benzema-latest-lured-to-real-madrid/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/07/01/benzema-latest-lured-to-real-madrid/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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French International Karim Benzema is close to a move to Real Madrid This summer, as the European transfer season began at 12:01 AM ET on July 1, one thing is absolutely clear -- all roads lead to Real Madrid.

Fresh off the heels of completing the mega-money swoops for Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, the Spanish giants appear to have added another high profile attacking talent in Lyon's French international Karim Benzema. Reports coming out Wednesday put the sides very close on a deal in the range of €35 million ($50 U.S.) that could be finalized before the day is over. (Update -- it appears the deal is complete.)

 

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]]> cristiano ronaldoCristianoRonaldokakakarim benzemakarim bezemaKarimBenzemaKarimBezemareal madridRealMadridsoccer Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-07-01T09:58:00 00:00 Brazil Denies South Africa, Will Play US http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/25/brazil-denies-south-africa-will-play-us/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/25/brazil-denies-south-africa-will-play-us/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/25/brazil-denies-south-africa-will-play-us/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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For about 85 minutes Thursday it looked like lady luck would shine her fortune upon the underdogs for the second consecutive day at the Confederations Cup semifinals. Host South Africa was giving powerhouse Brazil all it could handle, continuously stymieing the five-time world champions all across the field in Johannesburg.

Yet it all came crashing down in an instant for the determined Bafana Bafana thanks to a moment of brilliance generated off the foot of Brazil sub Dani Alves, who had only entered the match a few minutes earlier. The Barcelona back curled in a perfect free kick in the 87th minute around the South African wall to push Brazil to a 1-0 victory and a date with the United States in Sunday's final.

 

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]]> brazilconfederations cupConfederationsCupDani AlvesDaniAlvessoccersouth africaSouthAfrica Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-25T17:00:00 00:00 U.S. Names Gold Cup Roster http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/25/u-s-names-gold-cup-roster/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/25/u-s-names-gold-cup-roster/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/25/u-s-names-gold-cup-roster/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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Freddy Adu leads the U.S. Gold Cup roster The work, apparently, is never over for the U.S. National Team. Fresh off takings its bows after a stunning 2-0 upset over No. 1-ranked Spain at the Confederations Cup Wednesday, the U.S. was back to work Thursday.

In this case, it was naming a 23-man roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which begins on July 4 in Seattle with a match against Grenada. Of note, only six players on the Gold Cup roster have over 10 caps. On top of that, just Michael Parkhurst and Brian Ching were on the 2007 competition roster, which the U.S. won, punching their ticket to the 2009 Confederations Cup in the process.

 

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]]> bob bradleyBobBradleyfreddy aduFreddyAdugold cupGoldCupu.s. soccerU.s.Soccerusmnt Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-25T10:58:00 00:00 US Stuns No. 1 Spain, Advances to Confederations Cup Final http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/24/us-stuns-no-1-spain-advances-to-confederations-cup-final/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/24/us-stuns-no-1-spain-advances-to-confederations-cup-final/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/24/us-stuns-no-1-spain-advances-to-confederations-cup-final/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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Wednesday night in chilly Bloemfontein, South Africa, the U.S. national team lodged one of its greatest victories in its history, beating FIFA No. 1 Spain 2-0 in the Confederations Cup semifinals. The win snapped Spain's 35-match unbeaten run, denying them a chance to set a new record at 36.

This win almost made me pull out the thesaurus for the proper word to describe it. Stunning? Yes. Unbelievable? Pretty close. Deserved? You bet.

 

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]]> bob bradleyBobBradleyCharlies Daviesclint dempseyClintDempseyconfederations cupConfederationsCupdavid villaDavidVillajozy altidoreJozyAltidorelandon donovanLandonDonovansoccerTim howardTimHowardu.s. soccerU.s.Soccerusmnt Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-24T16:53:00 00:00 US vs. Spain Live Blog http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/24/us-vs-spain-live-blog/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/24/us-vs-spain-live-blog/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/24/us-vs-spain-live-blog/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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Fernando Torres As a fan of the U.S. national team, you probably couldn't ask for more from Wednesday's Confederations Cup semifinal against Spain, especially considering how the first two games of the tournament unfurled for Bob Bradley's team. In short, the underdog Americans are up against FIFA's No. 1-ranked team, Spain, which has already set the all-time international record for consecutive wins (15) in this tournament and could break the all-time undefeated run (36) by defeating the Americans.

With a win, or even simply a strong performance, the U.S. can garner a boatload of goodwill toward the 2010 World Cup. At the very least it would erase the lingering doubts raised in the opening two games of this tournament.

All in all, the odds are surely stacked against the U.S., but that's why we follow sports, right? To see the chance of a colossal upset. The match kicks off from South Africa at 2:25 PM ET and we'll be blogging shortly before the opening whistle.

 

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]]> bob bradleyconfederations cup Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-24T13:45:00 00:00 Spain Beats South Africa, But Both Are Winners at Confederations Cup http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/20/spain-beats-south-africa-but-both-are-winners/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/20/spain-beats-south-africa-but-both-are-winners/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/20/spain-beats-south-africa-but-both-are-winners/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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Spain's David Villa scores vs. South Africa at the Confederations Cup It's Spain's world, the rest of us are all just living in it. Saturday in the Confederations Cup, Spain dispatched hosing South Africa 2-0 on goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente.

The win extended Spain's unbeaten run to an astounding 35 games, which ties the all time mark set by Brazil in the early 1990s. Perhaps even more impressive is that Spain has won its last 15 matches during the streak to set a world record there as well. Nobody is even close to Spain's level, although they haven't exactly played the world's toughest team's yet in this tournament.

 

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]]> cesc fabregasCescFabregasconfederations cupConfederationsCupdavid villaDavidVillasoccersouth africaSouthAfricaspain Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-20T15:49:00 00:00 Setanta Loses Premier League Rights http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/19/setanta-loses-premier-league-rights/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/19/setanta-loses-premier-league-rights/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/19/setanta-loses-premier-league-rights/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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Setanta Sports Loses Premier League Rights Something that often amazes me is talking to people from England, us here in the Colonies actually tend to have better access to the Premier League matches on television.

After Friday, that access is going to change in some major ways after the Premier League pulled its television package from the troubled Irish broadcaster Setanta Sports. Setanta had a £392 contract to broadcast 46 live matches in the U.K. for the upcoming 2009-10 season, but that is now open to the highest bidder and will be determined by Monday.

 

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]]> premier leaguePremierLeaguesetanta sportsSetantaSportssoccer Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-19T20:25:00 00:00 Egypt Upsets Italy http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/18/egypt-upsets-italy/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/18/egypt-upsets-italy/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/18/egypt-upsets-italy/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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Bob Bradley and the rest the U.S. national team ought to send a bouquet of flowers to Egyptian coach Hassan Shehata, after his Pharaohs upended Italy 1-0 in the Confederations Cup Group B play.

Even though the U.S. has been outscored 6-1 in two matches, on top of being generally outclassed, amazingly the Americans still have some semblance of a chance to advance ... assuming they can beat Egypt at least 5-0 Sunday and Italy loses to Brazil.*

Piece of cake.

 

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]]> bob bradleyBobBradleyconfederations cupConfederationsCupegyptitaly Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-18T16:22:00 00:00 Brazil Outclasses US http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/18/brazil-outclasses-u-s-again/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/18/brazil-outclasses-u-s-again/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/18/brazil-outclasses-u-s-again/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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If you're a fan of the U.S. men's national soccer team, there's probably no way to sugarcoat Thursday's disheartening 3-0 loss to world power Brazil in the 2009 Confederations Cup. The loss essentially eliminates the U.S. before its final group stage game Sunday against Egypt.

Right from the opening whistle the U.S. looked a step short and like they were lacking energy against the Kaka-led Brazilian assault. Inside of eight minutes Brazil was ahead -- yet another early goal allowed by the U.S. This time it came on a header by Felipe Melo on a perfectly curled free kick Maicon set up after a foul by DaMarcus Beasley.

 

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]]> bob bradleyconfederations cupjozy altidorekakalandon donovanrobinho Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-18T12:28:00 00:00 US vs. Brazil Live Blog http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/18/u-s-vs-brazil-live-blog/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/18/u-s-vs-brazil-live-blog/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/18/u-s-vs-brazil-live-blog/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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When the draw for the 2009 Confederations Cup took place a couple months ago, American soccer fans circled the date June 18. Why? One word: Brazil. It's just not every day you get to play against the team most consider the best team in the world.

The U.S., which looked good for a half vs. Italy on Monday (and terrible for the other), probably needs to take at least a point against Kaka, Robinho & Co. Thursday in Pretoria, otherwise the final group stage on Sunday vs. Egypt will probably be rendered moot.

Action kicks off at 9:55 AM ET on ESPN2. We'll be live blogging shortly before then.

 

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]]> brazilconfederations cupConfederationsCupu.s. soccerU.s.Soccerusmnt Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-18T09:15:00 00:00 Spain Train Continues to Roll http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/spain-train-continues-to-roll/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/spain-train-continues-to-roll/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/spain-train-continues-to-roll/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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If you just look quickly at Spain's 1-0 victory over Iraq Wednesday in Confederations Cup play, it might seem like a letdown after the European's champ's 5-0 crunching of New Zealand over the weekend.

Yet, when you're on the roll like the Spanish National Team has been on for the last three years, all the victories tend to blend into one. More importantly, Wednesday's win pushed the country one shy of matching Brazil's all-time unbeaten run of 35 games.

 

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]]> cesc fabregasCescFabregasconfederations cupConfederationsCupdavid villaDavidVillafernando torresFernandoTorresspain Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-17T11:55:00 00:00 American Keeper Marcus Hahnemann Back in Premier League http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/american-keeper-marcus-hahnemann-back-in-premier-league/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/american-keeper-marcus-hahnemann-back-in-premier-league/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/american-keeper-marcus-hahnemann-back-in-premier-league/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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At a time when Americans have become somewhat of an endangered species in the England's Premier League, a bit of good news came down Wednesday when it was announced goal keeper Marcus Hahnemann was signed by newly promoted club Wolverhampton.

Hahnemann, who had spells at Fulham and Reading, was released by the Royals last month after a long stint at the club, helping them reach the top flight for the first time in their history due to budgetary concerns.

 

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]]> clint dempseyClintDempseyMarcus HahnemannMarcusHahnemannpremier leaguePremierLeaguetim howardTimHoward Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-17T11:21:00 00:00 US Can't Finish Italian Job http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/15/u-s-cant-finish-italian-job/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/15/u-s-cant-finish-italian-job/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/15/u-s-cant-finish-italian-job/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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ESPN studio host Rece Davis probably said it best. Monday at the Confederations Cup, we found the next (or first if you will) American soccer star.

The problem, Giuseppe Rossi played in the blue of Italy, not the U.S. white Monday in the Confederations Cup Group B opener for both teams. The New Jersey born attacker came on as a second half substitute and promptly scored a pair of cracking goals to give the Azzurri a 3-1 win in Pretoria, South Africa. The U.S. remains winless in seven all-time matches against Italy.

 

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]]> danielle de rossigiuseppe rossijozy altidorelandon donovanricardo clark Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-15T16:25:00 00:00 US vs. Italy Live Blog http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/15/u-s-vs-italy-live-blog/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/15/u-s-vs-italy-live-blog/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/15/u-s-vs-italy-live-blog/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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By all accounts, the United States' run at the 2006 World Cup was an unmitigated disaster. If there was a lone bright spot, it came in the second group-stage match against Italy, where a scrappy U.S. side hung on for a 1-1 draw in a red-card plagued match in Kaiserslautern.

Three years later, the two sides are at it again -- this time in the opening match of Group B play in the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. Many of the participants from that match should see action on Monday, including the Azzurri's Danielle De Rossi, who famously elbowed U.S. forward Brian McBride, opening up a huge gash on the American's forehead.

McBride won't be in Pretoria, but maybe he can follow along in our live blog, which begins at 2:30 PM ET.

 

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]]> confederations cupu.s. mens national team Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-15T13:45:00 00:00 Brazil Escapes Against Egypt http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/15/brazil-escapes-against-egypt/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/15/brazil-escapes-against-egypt/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/15/brazil-escapes-against-egypt/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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The 2009 Confederations Cup just got interesting. It took three matches, but the tournament showed some lively, evenly matched competition with Brazil snatching a 4-3 victory over a game Egyptian side Monday in Bloemfontein.

Brazil will probably feel like it stole all three points, getting the winner on a 89th minute penalty from Kaka, following a red card issued to an Egyptian defender for a hand ball on the goal line after a Brazilian corner.

 

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]]> confederations cupdungakakamohamed shawky Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-15T12:10:00 00:00 Spain Utterly Destroys New Zealand http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/14/torres-spain-utterly-destroy-new-zealand/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/14/torres-spain-utterly-destroy-new-zealand/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/14/torres-spain-utterly-destroy-new-zealand/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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This just in -- Spain's national team is pretty good.

Sunday in Rustenburg, South Africa, Spain opened its Group A campaign in the 2009 Confederations Cup with a 5-0 obliteration of New Zealand. This was a mouse vs. a steamroller. Spain, the reigning European champions, probably could have picked its final score and after the way it started, the final score line looked closer than the game actually turned out.

 

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]]> cesc fabregasconfederations cupdavid villafernando torres Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-14T16:20:00 00:00 Confederations Cup Opens in Earnest http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/14/confederations-cup-opens-in-earnest/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/14/confederations-cup-opens-in-earnest/ http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/06/14/confederations-cup-opens-in-earnest/#comments Michael Cardilloby Michael Cardillo

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If the opening match of the 2009 Confederations Cup is any indication, hosts South Africa best hope it's only indeed a dress rehearsal for next year's World Cup.

Sunday, in the opening match of the competition from Johannesburg, the hosts played out to a limp 0-0 draw against Asian champion Iraq. Perhaps the only noteworthy occurrence to come out of the game was an utterly bizarre block of a sure goal from Kagiso Dikgacoi by his own teammate inside the final 10 minutes.

 

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]]> bernard parkerconfederations cupkagiso dikgacoi Michael Cardillo michael-cardillo 2009-06-14T11:52:00 00:00