10.17.2008

The Netherlands arrived to seven away in a row

On Wednesday, 15 October, the Netherlands beat Norway 1-0 in Oslo to clinch their seventh consecutive away win in European World Cup qualification.

The Netherlands equalled the record of seven consecutive away wins set by Sweden and West Germany (twice).
According to Infostrada, Holland’s last World Cup qualification away match without a win was on 9 October 2004 when they drew 2-2 against FYR Macedonia.
Holland’s next World Cup qualification away match is on 6 June 2009 against Iceland.

Away winning streaks – World Cup qualification UEFA
# Nation Last match before streak Match that ended streak
7 Netherlands FYR Macedonia - Netherlands (09 Oct 2004) 2-2 Still running
7 West Germany Norway - West Germany (19 Aug 1953) 1-1 Scotland - West Germany (16 Apr 1969) 1-1
7 West Germany Scotland - West Germany (16 Apr 1969) 1-1 Sweden - West Germany (25 Sep 1985) 2-2
7 Sweden Slovakia - Sweden (11 Oct 2000) 0-0 Croatia - Sweden (08 Oct 2005) 1-0
6 Romania Czechoslovakia - Romania (02 Jun 1993) 5-2 Republic of Ireland - Romania (11 Oct 1997) 1-1
5 England Republic of Ireland - England (19 May 1957) 1-1
5 Poland England - Poland (17 Oct 1973) 1-1 Belgium - Poland (01 May 1985) 2-0
5 Turkey Sweden - Turkey (07 Oct 2000) 1-1 Greece - Turkey (08 Sep 2004) 0-0

World Cup qualification away match winning streak Netherlands
Nr. Date Match Result
1 17 Nov 2004 Andorra - Netherlands 0-3
2 26 Mar 2005 Romania - Netherlands 0-2
3 08 Jun 2005 Finland - Netherlands 0-4
4 03 Sep 2005 Armenia - Netherlands 0-1
5 08 Oct 2005 Czech Republic - Netherlands 0-2
6 10 Sep 2008 FYR Macedonia - Netherlands 1-2
7 15 Oct 2008 Norway - Netherlands 0-1

10.14.2008

Italy – Montenegro: “Cheers and not politics at the stadium”


“Cheers at the stadium”: this is not a new slogan, but the message sent this morning by Gianluca Zambrotta, after the episodes of violence that characterized the night in Sofia. “We players – continued Zambrotta – want to transmit the values of sports. We want to entertain, and politics have to remain out of the playing field. We only want people who cheer in the stadium, not to organize gorilla warfare. Those who want to create confusion, should stay home”.

And he added: “Banners and swastikas have nothing to do with football, from the field we cannot even see them because we are concentrated on the match. But we know that the real fans of Italy are not the ones we saw during the match against Bulgaria. Football gives other signals.

” Zambrotta does not forget that Wednesday the National team will be back on the field to play against Montenegro, valid for the 2010 World Cup qualifications. And so he concentrates on the next appointment: “Our objective is to win the home matches and tie the away matches, this is why the point we gained against Bulgaria Saturday evening is considered good, even if we could have won. Bulgaria never came close to scoring. But now we have to think about beating Montenegro to respect our plans”.

Source: FIGC press

Germany – Wales preview: Miroslav Klose occasion


The German national team faces Wales in a World Cup 2010 qualifier in Mönchengladbach on Wednesday. The match at Borussia Park starts at 8.45 pm.

Germany is on top of the table in their group after a 2-1 victory against Russia on Saturday in Dortmund. The squad of head coach Joachim Löw collected seven points out of three games. Second are Wales with six points (three games).

It will be the 16th match between Germany and Wales. While the european runner-up won seven, there have been only two wins for Wales in the history.

Last time both teams met was during the qualification for EURO 2008. Miroslav Klose scored twice to seal a 2-0 victory in Cardiff. The second leg ended with a goalless draw.

Source: DFB Press

10.13.2008

Belarus – England preview: Matthew Upson starts to relieve

Matthew Upson said that he finally believes he deserves to be part of the England squad and that his positive attitude will only help him when he gets the opportunity to play for his country.

Upson made his debut for England back in 2003 and says that in the past he may not have thought highly enough of his own abilities, but the West Ham defender admitted that his outlook has changed.

"Maybe previously I have not believed in myself enough," Upson explained. "I did not think I deserved to be here.

"But when you feel like that, you only end up going one way. Now I do believe I deserve to be here. I think I can step in and do the job.

"Just because John Terry is the captain and Rio Ferdinand is the vice-captain does not automatically mean they are going to get picked.

"Things change very quickly in football. You get injuries and loss of form. It doesn't matter what someone else is doing, it is about how I am playing and I have to make sure I am ready."

While he admits that losing skipper John Terry and Ashley Cole for the game in Belarus is disappointing, Upson says that the strength of the England squad will mean that quality players can come into those positions.

"It is a blow to lose John but I guess it is a hazard of the game, that is what the squad is here for.

"We have enough strength in depth. We just have to pull together and make sure we approach Belarus in the same manner as always."

Man of the Match on Saturday, Wayne Rooney has also been singled out for praise from Upson who believes that the Manchester United forward has grown up very quickly in the game.

"Wayne has made an unbelievable start to his career. People sometimes forget how young he is. When you are young, you tend to find everything is for free. There is not much expectation and you grab what you see.

"But when things get tough, people expect a certain level of performance from us. Wayne has coped with it brilliantly and has gone from strength to strength."

Source: FA