Snak

Ledesma: "Me quiero quedar en River"

BUENOS AIRES -- "Me quiero quedar en River y es mi primer opción. Voy a esperar todo lo que sea necesario", le dijo Cristian Ledesma a "La Oral Deportiva" sobre sus tratativas para renovar contrato.

El mediocampista le dijo a ESPN Radio en Rivadavia que aguardará que se solucione el tema. "Sino tendré que buscar otras opciones", consideró.

"Sé que hubo una primer reunión con mi representante. Todavía no hubo un arreglo y habrá que esperar a la semana que viene", detalló sobre la negocación.

"Ramón (Díaz) antes de irnos de vacaciones me dijo que iba a contar conmigo y que trate de renovar. Sus intenciones son que siga en el club y eso es muy importante para mi", contó el mediocampista, quien recuperó un lugar de relevancia en el equipo, con la llegada del DT riojano.

" Los dirigentes se comunicaron conmigo y empezaron las tratativas. No está nada dicho, se están arreglando las cosas", confió.

Por otra parte, Ledesma valoró la mejoría del equipo en el primer semestre del año. "Estoy muy contento por el torneo que hicimos, en lo personal estoy muy bien y pude completar casi todo el torneo".

"Nos faltó un poco mas de regularidad. Algunos partidos se nos escaparon en el final, pero son cosas que pasan y se puede mejorar".

Y de cara a lo que viene, se ilusionó con participar en la Copa Sudamericana: "Es importante para River volver a jugar internacionalmente. Para los jugadores es motivante tener dos frentes. Va a ser un semestre lindo y la doble competencia me entusiasma".

Har smidt Gold Cup trupperne ind tidligere i tråden...så...


Some big stars on CONCACAF Gold Cup rosters

CONCACAF released the official 23-player roster for the 12 teams playing in the Gold Cup on Friday and some of the biggest soccer names in the region will participate in the competition.

The Gold Cup kicks off on July 7 and runs through the final in Chicago on July 28.

A quick look at the players on the roster:

* Belize — Striker Deon McCaulay, who has scored a World Cup-qualifying best 11 goals.


* Canada — Midfielder Julian de Guzman, midfielder William Johnson, forward Simeon Jackson.


* Costa Rica — Forward Jairo Arrieta, midfielder Celso Borges, defender Roy Miller, forward Alvaro Saborio, forward Rodney Wallace, defender Michael Umana.


* Cuba — Goalkeeper Odelin Molina.


* El Salvador — Defender Steven Purdy, midfielder Jaime Alas.


* Haiti — Midfielder Jean-Marc Alexandre, forward Jean-Philippe Peguero.


* Honduras — Midfielder Marvin Chavez, midfielder Andy Najar, midfielder Jorge Claros.


* Mexico — Midfielder Miguel Ponce.


* Panama — Midfielder Gabriel Gomez, forward Blas Perez.


* Trinidad & Tobago — Midfielder Chris Birchall, mifieler Keon Daniel, forward Cornell Glenn.


* United States — Forward Landon Donovan, Forward Herculez Gomez, defender Oguchi Onyewu, forward Chris Wondolowski, midfieler Stuart Holden, defender Clarence Goodson.

Brazil 3-0 Spain: Scolari says Seleção still work in progress

Seleção manager Luiz Felipe Scolari believes the Brazilian national team is still work in progress following the 3-0 win against Spain in the Confederations Cup final.

Brazil had been struggling prior to the tournament, but managed to surpass all expectations by winning the title in the end.

Scolari talked with reporters about the game, he is quoted by AFP as saying: "We are still not a team that is complete, we know that we have a good group but we still have to prove a lot. But today, we embarked on the path to 2014."

The former Palmeiras manager added: "It was fantastic to hear the crowd singing ´the champions are back´ but a long path stretches ahead of us. Yet I am sure people will now respect Brazil a little more."

Brazil have beaten many top teams in the last weeks, as Scolari proudly commented: "In the past 30 days we have beaten four former world champions in France (in a pre-event friendly), Italy, Uruguay and now Spain,"

Sport admit interest in Diego Maurício

Série B club Sport Recife have admitted that they are interested in Alania Vladikavkaz´s winger Diego Maurício.

Diego Maurício left Flamengo last year but he has so far failed to make an impact at the Russian club.

Sport Recife´s football executive director Marcos Amaral was asked by Superesportes about Diego Maurício, he said: "We have been in talks with him, but the truth is that we are in talks with three players for this position.

We will sign whoever we can reach an agreement quicker."

Sport Recife are currently in 8th place in Brazil´s national second division, their next game will be played next Saturday against Joinville, for the league´s 7th round.

“24 hours with North America’s poorest team”

24 hours before their game against Spain, Haiti’s national football team still doesn’t have a kit or anywhere to train. It’s raining non-stop in Miami and Haiti’s limited resources mean they’re unable to hire somewhere undercover to practice.

Haiti, one of the world’s poorest countries, had sent their team to this American city to face Spain – the world champions – for the first time in their history. The incentives for setting up the clash included the presence of the Spanish superstars, the agreement that, for every spectator attending the game, $1 would be donated to Haiti, and moreover, the chance to see a classic David versus Goliath encounter.

However, the feeling of jubilation enjoyed by almost all of the 37,000 fans at the Sun Life stadium when the Haitian forward Donald Guerrier scored his country’s only goal against Spain contrasted with the team’s reality for the rest of the week. BBC Mundo accompanied the lonely Haitian team on their journey to play the world’s favourite team.

Extra Shirt

It’s 3:30 on Friday evening – the day before the game – and the kit is due to arrive at the hotel where the team are staying. The Colombian Miguel Trujillo, the Haiti Football Federation’s exclusive agent, is feeling stressed. He doesn’t want the players or the coaching staff to arrive at the press conference without a shirt to wear. ”They have to be equal to Spain. Haiti is beginning a new era in which it won’t lack the basics. We’re not inferior to anyone,” affirms the agent.

However, Trujillo has had to jump through all kinds of hoops to make sure the eleven boxes of kit arrive on time. They come from Colombia because Saeta, a sports clothes manufacturer, agreed to sponsor Haiti with high-tech kit. Their contract with the Haitian Football Federation, according to Trujillo, will last 4 years, in which time the company will invest close to $1 million; their shirts will be sold online and through the Federation.

But according to defender Judelain Aveska, the most exciting part of the agreement is that the players are now able to exchange shirts with their opponents at the end of a game – something that was previously unthinkable: if they’d given their shirt away in the past, they wouldn’t have had a shirt to wear in the next game.

A Turbulent Week

That Friday, Haitian officials had managed to secure the use of a playing field on the outskirts of Miami. Training lasted less than minutes. The players began to form two circles, but while they filled the field with their singing and laughter, it began to hail, and they were forced to take shelter. After two hours of waiting hopelessly for the weather to clear up, Blake Cantero – the team’s technical director, of Cuban origin – was concerned; his team were unable to train, partly because of the rain and partly because they’d only arrived the day before.

“We are Cubans, they don’t give us the Visa easily,” he told us, to explain the delay, adding that the side’s fitness coach – also Cuban – hadn’t received his Visa in time for the match. Cantero asked the players to board the bus and assured us that he would get them to jog along the corridors of the hotel, because “they can’t arrive like this tomorrow.”

The two Cubans have been in charge of Haiti’s national team for little over a year; their presence in the team is based on an agreement between the football federations of the two countries which is understood as a Cuban mission in Haiti. Each one has been allocated a monthly salary of $1,000 – all the Haitian Federation can afford given it has just one sponsor. To put that in perspective, their wage is roughly 158 times what Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque earned in 2012.

Life After Death

The earthquake in 2010, which devastated the country and caused more than 200,000 deaths, instilled in the players a renewed sense of responsibility for their country. This has resulted in an improvement in the FIFA World Rankings: Haiti has gone up 18 places in the last two years and are now ranked 63rd – above countries with economic conditions much more favourable for sport, and with more experience in international competition.

“After the earthquake, something very strong happened in the players – a positive reaction to the tragedy. We understood that we were playing not only for ourselves…now we have a concrete way of obtaining money for our country,” says midfielder Jean-Marc Alexandre.

One of the first examples of that “concrete” method of helping their country occurred just a few days after the earthquake. The team travelled to Germany for a game; the money raised by the match was donated to the Haitian government. Almost half a million dollars were raised – money which was invested in the reconstruction of the Football Federation’s Headquarters (which had disappeared with the tragedy) and in the building and improvement of football facilities.

The Federation now boasts its own bus and a school for children in which they’re given training, education, food and free accommodation as a way of escaping their difficult environments.

“The ball is a little round thing and it’s for everyone”

Before the game, Judelain Aveska, a defender for Independiente de Rivadavia in the Argentine second tier, forms an imaginary sphere with his hands. I ask him if he thinks Haiti can beat Spain, and he tells me – in Spanish, with an Argentine accent – “the ball’s a little round thing, and it’s for everyone”.

His team-mate Jean-Marc Alexandre, a player for American side Orlando City, agrees that the two teams have the same possibilities: “We respect them, but it doesn’t mean we can’t beat them. We’re ready and excited to play,” he told BBC Mundo. Both players are Christians, and revealed that they often pray before a match. “Before I go out on the pitch, I pray that my opponent doesn’t get injured, because an injury can end your life,” says Jean-Marc

“We’re not aliens”

Despite losing 2-1 to Spain, the Haitian players are content at the final whistle. Fans gather in front of the team bus at the stadium exit to greet the Haitians as if they’d won, asking for autographs and pictures. Minutes later, in the press conference inside the stadium, goalscorer Donald Guerrier is sat between coach Cantero and a translator. He looks happy; he says his goal was dedicated to his son, born the previous day.

Although Guerrier has been patient with the journalists’ repetitive questions, this time he decides to answer more bluntly: asked how he feels, having scored against the best team in the world, he retorts: “I’m not an alien, I’m a human and my job is to score goals if the ball comes to me. On the pitch, we’re all equal.”

With that attitude, the Haitian team left later that day for Brazil, with another friendly lined up against Italy on Tuesday.

2013 Gold Cup Preview: Build up & profile of Group A

The eagerly anticipated 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup commences next month - we set the scene and run the rule over Group A in the first part of our two-part series

This year’s prestigious Gold Cup is the 12th edition of the competition and kicks off on 7 July, spanning over a period of 21 days. United States are the hosts, with matches set to be played across 13 host cities including venues such as the Rose Bowl in California and Soldier Field in Chicago.

It’s notorious for its lively, vibrant atmosphere and provides a genuine platform for the very best in CONCACAF to express themselves. US TV station Fox Soccer are showing every single match live and Canada’s Sportsnet are also broadcasting a wide array of fixtures/highlights. The tournament will receive worldwide attention and that’s why here at The Home of Caribbean Football, we are so delighted that there will be four Caribbean representatives.

The Caribbean participants qualified through their 2012 Caribbean Cup finishes - Cuba (winners), Trinidad & Tobago (runners-up), Haiti (third) and Martinique (fourth). Jamaica and Antigua both finished bottom of their respective groups so failed to progress, raising a few eyebrows.

Over this two-part preview, we go through the groups, analyse strengths and weaknesses, size up the enemy and even get the view from inside. But in the first part, we look ahead to Group A, naturally detailing Martinique in a bit more length…


Team: Martinique

Manager: Patrick Cavelan

Opening fixture: v Canada 07/07/13 (Rose Bowl)

Previous best performance in Gold Cup: Quarterfinals (2002)

Chances of success? Rather limited. Martinique are one of the weakest teams at the tournament but national pride is at stake so that is a motivating factor. They’re in a taxing group as Mexico and Canada are tipped as favourites to win and Panama have been excelling in recent World Cup qualifying. Their best ever finish came 12 years ago when they lost to Canada on penalties in the quarter-finals. It would be massively against the odds for Martinique to finish at that stage this time around.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? The island’s federation have been working astutely behind the scenes to recruit several newcomers to the squad: most notably Yoann Arquin (see above) of Notts County, Sporting Gijon defender Grégory Arnolin and Bordeaux shot stopper Kevin Olimpa. Reportedly, Martinique even tried to persuade former French international Thierry Henry – who is of Martinique heritage – to join the setup but CONCACAF never responded to the federation’s request. That would have been some coup. The majority of the squad are local-based and there isn’t a great deal of depth to choose from. It’s sure to be the side’s never-say-die attitude and work ethic that will help them throughout.

The island’s federation tried to persuade the great Thierry Henry to join the setup but nothing came to pass

Key players? Offensively, Martinique have an abundance of options in Riviere-Pilote attacker Kevin Parsemain – the county’s all-time top scorer with 22 goals – former West Ham outcast Frederic Piquionne who is now with Portland Timbers and Arquin, 25, who has been likened to Nicolas Anelka in his style of play. Parsemain, in particular, is a real menace with his inherent sense of balance and appreciation of the pass.

System? Martinique are likely to put the onus on the attack with Parsemain playing off Piquionne. Their defence was effective in the group stages of the Caribbean Cup last year as only one goal was conceded in three matches (retaining clean sheet v Cuba and Jamaica). But one would expect the backline to be severely more tested in the Gold Cup as the calibre of frontlines are a whole lot stronger. Cavelan will have to rotate when necessary and work with what he’s got.



Team: Mexico

Manager: José Manuel de la Torre

Opening fixture: v Panama 07/07/13 (Rose Bowl)

Previous best performance in Gold Cup: Champions on six occasions

Chances of success? Very high. Mexico are red hot favourites given the talent of the squad (see above) and expectations are huge from supporters. They won the last edition of the event, in 2011, by beating United States 2-4 in the Final courtesy of goals from Pablo Barrera (2), Andres Guardado and Giovani dos Santos. ‘El Tri’ are set to feature in the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup which is to be held in Brazil, beginning on 15 June. That should give us a taster of what to expect at the Gold Cup.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? Mexico have opted for a squad made up of entirely domestic-based players. There is a plethora of players with international experience, Olympic gold-medal winning status and those who are yearning for a chance to make a mark and break into the team. Surprisingly, there is no room for Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez, former Tottenham winger Dos Santos, veteran Carlos Salcido or usual goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Mexico won the 2011 edition and are red hot favourites to win this year

Key players? Omar Bravo, a striker for Cruz Azul who has been on loan to Atlas, is one of the selection’s more experienced members. There is also a strong chore of Monterrey players: goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco and defenders Darvin Chávez and Leobardo López

The View from the Inside: “The graduation of a generation of Mexico’s Olympic gold medal winning stars is taking longer than predicted, but could be sped up by recent poor displays by the senior squad. The likes of Jorge Enriquez, Marco Fabian, Israel Jimenez and Miguel Ponce have stalled recently. The Gold Cup is important to Mexico, but the over-riding goal at present is forging a team to reach the quarterfinals of Brazil 2014 as minimum.”



Team: Canada

Manager: Colin Miller (Interim)

Opening fixture: v Martinique 07/07/13 (Rose Bowl)

Best previous performance in Gold Cup: Champion (2000)

Chances of success? Should look to progress past group stages. The manager Miller is only interim and that rarely bodes well for the players and the team’s fortunes on the field (one-off being Rafael Benetiz with Chelsea). They’ve appeared in the Gold Cup on 11 previous occasions and clinched the trophy in 2000, but their glory days seem long gone and this tournament will be about trying to gel together and get used to the coach’s principles, rather than seriously challenge for the Cup.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? The old guard is no more: 35-year-old Dwayne De Rosario and 30-year-old Atiba Hutchinson have both been overlooked. 32-year-old Julian de Guzman (see above) will add much-needed experience and there is some goal threat in attack with former Norwich speedster Simeon Jackson – who is a free agent - in contention to start. 13 players in the squad are aged 25 or under.

They last clinched the Gold Cup in 2000 but this tournament will be about gelling together, not silverware

Key players? Unattached De Guzman has over 60 caps for Canada and is a creative midfielder, left-back David Edgar, 26, plys his trade in England’s second tier with Burnley and Jackson’s pace and mobility will come in useful when the Canadians seek an outlet when under pressure.

The View from the Inside: “Canada is a side caught in transition, between past and future – with neither particularly bright. Struggling with internal divisions that hold up crucial changes at the grassroots and external pressures that lure top talents elsewhere, the nation stumbles into the tournament still smarting from that loss in Honduras, 8-1. This Gold Cup will be about garnering experience, not glory.”


Team: Panama

Manager: Julio Dely Valdés

Opening fixture: v Mexico 07/07/13 (Rose Bowl)

Best previous performance in Gold Cup: Runner-up (2005)

Chances of success? Football in Panama is on the rise. They reached their highest ever FIFA Ranking in April this year (38), are the surprise package of Hexagonal World Cup qualifying with six points in four outings and are perhaps dark horses heading into the Gold Cup.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? The national side’s skipper, Felipe Baloy, is the heartbeat of the team but isn’t travelling to the US. We can only assume his club commitments have got in the way. Their World Cup qualifying statistics are impressive: they’re yet to lose in the Hex and have netted the joint highest amount of goals in the group so far along with Costa Rica. All in all, the squad is above average.

Perhaps dark horses, Panama have been impressive in World Cup qualifying and are scoring regularly

Key players? FC Dallas’ Blas Peréz will provide the main goal threat, with 85-cap Gabriel Enrique Gómez – who plays his club football in Colombia with Junior de Barranquilla -pulling the strings in midfield. 13 group members are domestic-based.

The View from the Inside: “A 3-1 win over Guatemala in the Copa Centroamericana fifth-place play-off saw Panama book their place at the Gold Cup. Mexico will rightly begin as favourites in Group A; Panama will have to battle Canada for second place, ahead of minnows Martinique. Los Canaleros coach Julio Dely Valdés himself knows what it takes to succeed at the Gold Cup, having played in Panama’s run to the final in 2005.”

2013 Gold Cup Preview: Analysis of Groups B & C

Group B

Honduras

El Salvador

Trinidad and Tobago

Haiti

Team: Trinidad & Tobago

Manager: Stephen Hart, Leo Beenhakker, Hutson Charles

Opening fixture: v El Salvador 08/07/13 (Red Bull Arena)

Previous best performance in Gold Cup: Semifinals (2000)

Chances of success? There is a sense of optimism given the changes in management over recent weeks, guided by TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee. Stephen Hart, a former national team member, comes in as head coach on a two-year deal while 2006 World Cup boss, Leo Beenhakker (see above), has been named the new Director of Football on a six-month deal. Hutson Charles has stayed on, as assistant coach, but Jamaal Shabazz has left his post. With 70-year-old Dutchman Beenhakker advising and Hart overseeing most aspects of the setup, the combination should flourish. Trinidad are back after a lengthy absence out of the Gold Cup, with their last appearance coming in 2007 when they finished bottom of their group with a single point. A sound group stage finish is needed in the US.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? Having watched the recent friendlies against Romania and Estonia in early June, it was apparent that there is a deprivation of firepower up top. Too many times would a cross be whipped in with no man there to be seen. Kenwyne Jones could be the answer but his indifferent form for Stoke makes him hard to predict. Elsewhere, the new addition of Middlesbrough full-back Justin Hoyte is a bold and excellent one. Experienced, sprightly and a good decision-maker, he should become a key part of the defence in years to come. Other notable mentions picked in the roster are Carlos Edwards, Andre Boucaud and Khaleem Hyland.

With a new management team at the helm, there is a sense of optimism

Key players? Skipper Densill Theobald is a commanding midfielder, fresh-faced left-back Joevin Jones is tipped to shine in the future and Port Vale’s Chris Birchall provides guile and zest. Hyland, of Genk in Belgium, offers a creative edge and Kazakhstan-based Radanfah Abu Bakr looked imposing in the friendly matches.There are plenty of good players, both local-based and foreign-based.

System? 4-5-1 was favoured against Romania and Estonia but it didn’t really function properly. The lone striker was often left isolated, meaning the bulk of the attacking play was forced out wide where the opposition jockeyed and attacks fizzled out. Trinidad haven’t scored in their last 570 minutes of football so goals need to be top priority. The midfield can keep the ball but strikers Cornell Glenn, Jamal Gay and Jones will need to be on song.


Team: Haiti

Manager: Israel Blake Cantero

Opening fixture: v Honduras 08/07/13 (Red Bull Arena)

Previous best performance in Gold Cup: Quarterfinals (2002, 2009)

Chances of success? Going on their recent displays in friendlies against Spain and Italy, Haiti stand a very good chance of going far in the Gold Cup. They narrowly lost to Spain, 2-1, and picked up a truly memorable 2-2 draw with Italy, carving out two goals in the last seven minutes of play. Les Grenadiers have never reached past the quarter-finals, having finished at that stage in 2002 and more recently 2009 – when they were defeated 4-0 by a rampant Mexico. Haiti are in strong form and they pose a big threat on the counterattack.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? The Haitians are rich in power and boast several rough diamonds in attack. They are clever at soaking up pressure and then using their key assets sharply: looking long for either one of Kevern Belfort, Leonel Saint-Preux or Peguero Jean Philippe (see above, with shirt off). The defence can look shaky at times, with Czech-based Kevin Lafrance the most accomplished figure in the backline, but this lot will run all day. There is an underlying will to battle and fight for each other and that will bode well heading into the competition.

Impressive in recent friendlies v Spain and Italy, they’re in good form

Key players? Tricky winger Jeff Louis – who plays his club football with French club Nancy – was marvellous against Italy and will try and take on anybody, regardless of their reputation. Wilde Donald Guerrier – currently attracting interest from several clubs in Poland – is an exciting prospect and PSG winger Jean Eudes Maurice is the most high-profile of the lot. He can go either way and can fill in as a midfielder or forward.

System? In the recent friendlies, Haiti played with one frontman but the midfielders provided great support. Against Italy, in the second half, Herold Charles Junior and MLS-based Jean Alexandre were spraying passes all over the pitch and started to open up spaces with their intricacy. Phillipe is an impact substitute, as he showed against the Italians with his last-gasp equalizer after coming off the bench. Maurice and Louis can offer defensive work, too, and it looks like Cantero will stick with this system for the Gold Cup.


Team: El Salvador

Manager: Agustín Castillo

Opening fixture: v Trinidad & Tobago 08/07/13 (Rose Bowl Arena)

Previous best performance in Gold Cup: Quarterfinals (2002, 2003, 2011)

Chances of success? El Salvador are somewhat of an unknown footballing team. They aren’t renowned for playing the sport and rarely send ripples across the region. Steady and with a decent squad, they’ll be looking to try and emulate their quarter-finals feat in 2011. They were agonizingly close to qualifying for the semi-finals but suffered penalty heartbreak as Panama won 5-3. Their coach Agustin Castillo was only appointed in the summer of last year following the departure of Uruguayan coach Rubén Israel.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? A substantial part of the squad plays football in El Salvador for clubs such as C.D. FAS and Alianza and there have been a lot of recent call-ups in the last year (27 in 2013 alone) which perhaps emphasises the fact Castillo is still experimenting with his side.

There have been 27 call-ups to squad this year alone as Castillo experiments

Key players? MLS-based Steve Purdy provides a threat in the air, Jaime Alas is one to keep an eye on in midfield for La Selecta and Rodolfo Zelaya – who plays for FC Alania Vladikavkaz in Russia – has 13 goals in 33 appearances.

The View from the Inside: “El Salvador will be happy just to have reached the Gold Cup, having qualified by the slimmest of margins. Drawn in a tough group, they will have to be at their best to progress to the knockout stages – a task made harder by an inability to score: the team have found the net just twice in seven games this year. The goalscoring burden will once more fall upon strikers Rafael Burgos and Zelaya, both of whom have made the jump to Europe.”


Team: Honduras

Manager: Luis Fernando Suarez

Opening fixture: v Haiti 08/07/13 (Red Bull Arena)

Previous best performance in Gold Cup: Runner-up (1991)

Chances of success? Honduras are a common sight in the Gold Cup, as this will be their 11th appearance. In the last two tournaments, they have done brilliantly well, reaching the semi-finals only to lose to the US (2009) and Mexico (2011). They will definitely be counted upon to advance from the group stages. If the team can reach the last four, then even better.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? There will be no Maynor Figueroa, Wilson Palacios, Roger Espinoza, Emilio Izaguirre or Jerry Bengtson as Honduras embark on this Gold Cup journey with a very inexperienced squad. Two out of the four forwards selected are uncapped, and the other two have just seven international goals between them. Key players are missing which could have an impact.

Their 11th appearance at the tournament, they’ll be expected to get out of the group stages comfortably

Key players? The midfield area is Honduras’ strongest. 20-year-old Andy Najar, of Belgian side Anderlecht, is a prodigious talent. But much will be relied upon MLS-based duo Mario Martinez and Marvin Chavez, plus Hibernian’s Jorge Claros.

The View from the Inside: “After reaching the 2010 World Cup and impressing at the London Olympics, Los Catrachos will be looking to improve on consecutive semi-final appearances and reach a first final since 1991. On paper, Luis Fernando Suarez’s charges have been handed a kind draw and qualification from Group B should be a formality, with a feisty crunch match against neighbours El Salvador being the stand-out fixture.”

Group C

United States

Costa Rica

Belize

Cuba

Team: Cuba

Manager: Walter Benítez

Opening fixture: v Costa Rica 09/07/13 (Jeld-Wen Field)

Previous best performance in Gold Cup: Quarterfinals (2003)

Chances of success? With the island’s Under-20 team punching well above their weight at the moment, having just crashed out of the U20 World Cup in Turkey, it’s now time for the seniors to take centre stage. Winners of last year’s Caribbean Cup, playing their way to the tournament’s title with entertaining and fluid football, you could say the onus is on them the most to deliver out of the Caribbean nations. Cuba have been drawn into a reasonable group where second place is a genuine possibility. Their last appearance was in 2011, when they finished rock bottom of Group A with zero points. It can’t get any worse this time around.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? An entirely domestic-based squad, the enthusiasm to work hard and put the opposition under pressure will be evident but Cuba lack the technical skills of their Gold Cup counterparts. The players aren’t professional and the standard of coaching isn’t excellent. The Caribbean Cup is no match for the rigours of the Gold Cup and in terms of transitional play – moving the ball from one area of the field to another with intensity – you’d envisage Bentitez’s men struggling.

The Cubans can relax, play without fear and look to emulate their success at Caribbean Cup

Key players? Ariel Martinez, 27, impressed at the Caribbean Cup with two strikes. Yoel Colomé is the side’s best defender and his older brother, Jaime, has over 50 caps for the national team and 10 goals. The pair both play for top-flight outfit La Habana.

System? Alexei Zuásnabar is likely to start up front and he will need a supportive bevy of midfield players behind him. The aforementioned Martinez is a lively figure in the middle and will no doubt look to drift out wide. Cuba can play without pressure, relax and try and replicate the sort of free-flowing football they so effectively produced to get here.



Team: Belize

Manager: Charlie Slusher

Opening fixture: v USA 09/07/13 (Jeld-Wen Field)

Previous best performance in Gold Cup: N/A

Chances of success? Ever so slim. For Belize, this competition is all about gaining experience and cherishing playing against teams they could previously only dream of facing. They are making their debut at the Gold Cup after clinching fourth place at the Copa Centroamericana and kick off with an almighty task against the US. It is the classic David vs Goliath contest but you never know, stranger things have happened in football. Whatever happens, Belize are here on merit and we shouldn’t forget that.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? The squad is predominantly compromised of home-based players with the exception of two Honduras-based individuals: Elroy Smith and Harrison Róchez. It is widely expected that Belize will park the bus and look to get as many men behind the ball as possible. They will get chances but the important thing is taking them, something which is intuitive and can only be taught to a certain extent.

Deon McCaulay, a recent trialist in the MLS, is a likely goal source

Key players? There are two main players: captain Dalton Eiley who stars for Belizean champions Placencia Assassins and frontman Deon McCaulay, who in February this year had a trial with Portland Timbers. He has scored 16 times in 26 matches for his country.

The View from the Inside: “As the lowest FIFA-ranked nation in this summer’s Gold Cup (at 129), qualification is a considerable achievement given Belize has only been playing international football since 1995 and FIFA suspended its association in 2011 over charges of government interference. Despite that, the Belize government has pledged 50,000 Belize dollars (approx. 25,000 US dollars) to the team, as excitement runs high on their journey to the United States. They conceded just three goals in four games during their Copa Centroamericana run. Sitting deep and counterattacking might be the best strategy.”


Team: Costa Rica

Manager: Jorge Luis Pinto

Opening fixture: v Cuba 09/07/13 (Jeld-Wen Field)

Previous best performance in Gold Cup: Runner-up (2002)

Chances of success? The last three editions of the Gold Cup have been particularly memorable for Costa Rica. And not in a good way. In 2011, they suffered penalty heartbreak to Honduras in the quarter-finals, two years earlier reached the semi-finals but again endured spot kick misery against Mexico and in 2007, Mexico beat them in the quarters, through an extra-time goal. The side frequently make easy work of getting past the group stages, but crumble at the final few hurdles. It will be intriguing to see how they do this year.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? Costa Rica will be without the languid creativity of Fulham playmaker Bryan Ruiz, fearlessness of Joel Campbell of Arsenal and pace of Everton’s Bryan Oviedo but, nonetheless, are still bringing a well-equipped squad. The country’s fans shouldn’t be worried.

Key chore of squad not there, but expectations still run high

Key players? Júnior Díaz is an experienced Bundesliga central defender, Sweden-based Celso Borges has 49 caps in midfield and star striker Álvaro Saborío is a goal machine.

The View from the Inside: “Sitting top of the Hexagonal World Cup qualifiers, Costa Rica are entering the Gold Cup on the back of some great form. Pitted against the United States in Group C, the two will most likely go head-to-head for top spot. There is a certain amount of unfinished business between the sides after Los Ticos lost in blizzard conditions back in March so they’ll be desperate for revenge.”



Team: USA

Manager: Jürgen Klinsmann

Opening fixture: v Belize 09/07/13 (Jeld-Wen Field)

Previous best performance in Gold Cup: Champions on four occasions

Chances of success? Along with Mexico, Klinsmann’s men are clear favourites to win the Gold Cup. Expectations run high in a country with football-obsessed fans and a considerable pool of talent in which to choose from. They must reach the Final, otherwise it will be deemed an unsuccessful tournament. The US have an impressive history, winning it four times, their latest feat in 2007. The team are firmly expected to finish at the summit of Group C.

Strength of squad (23-man roster)? Very strong. The squad is filled with players with clubs dotted around the globe, in Spain, England and Norway to name but a few. The backline is solid, midfield tactically aware and the return of Landon Donovan is a pleasant sight for the county’s supporters.

Winners of the Gold Cup four times, failure to reach knockout phase will be classed as calamity

Key players? The big names won’t be there: Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones and Jozy Altidore. They are given rest but despite that, the likes of Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Oguchi Onyewu and Stuart Holden – returning from injury – are more than capable of carrying this team to Gold Cup glory.

The View from the Inside: “Klinsmann is giving his big stars some summer vacation but insists he still has enough talent to win the competition. He’s probably right. The manager’s roster blends veteran players hoping to break back into his best team and young guys who have seen little to no time in the Stars and Stripes. There are other familiar faces in the group like the Tijuana trio of Edgar Castillo, Joe Corona and Herculez Gomez, who have all played roles in World Cup qualifiers. Not making the knockout stages would be an absolute calamity.”

Neymar named Confederations Cup player of the tournament

Neymar was named FIFA´s player of the tournament as his dazzling displays lit up the 2013 Confederations Cup.

The Brazilian collected the Adidas Golden Ball from FIFA president Sepp Blatter as recognition of his performances in the competition.

Spain´s Andres Iniesta received the Silver Ball for coming in second and Seleção star Paulinho collected the Bronze Ball.

Fernando Torres finishes as top scorer and receives the Golden Shoe due to minutes per goal despite being joint top on five goals with Fred.

Fred will have to settle for the Silver Shoe and Neymar took the Bronze Shoe after scoring in the final.

Júlio César was awarded the Golden Glove, naming him the tournament´s best keeper after his saves in the dying stages of the final kept a clean sheet for Brazil.

Spain also received the FIFA Fair Play award for their behaviour and attitude, particularly in the aftermath of their 10-0 win over Tahiti.

Oscar

Name: Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Júnior (Oscar)
Date of Birth: 9 September 1991
Nationality: Brazilian
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Club: Chelsea

Making his name:
Oscar was born to a middle-class family in Americana, a small city in the state of São Paulo—about 2 hours away from the capital, and began his football education at nearby club União Barbarense. It was always going to be a matter of time before one of the big Paulista clubs took notice of the playmaker in local youth competitions, and in 2004 São Paulo scouts took notice of the scrawny 13-year-old and promptly lured him away. By 2008, as a 17 year old, Oscar was promoted to the first-time at São Paulo, while also participating for Brazil at Under-17 levels. He quickly began gaining wider attention nationally as he made a handful of appearances for the São Paulo first team in the 2009 season.

A falling out soon occurred between Oscar and São Paulo however, with the player claiming in 2010 that the club had not fulfilled its contract obligations, with several payments having not occurred. Oscar took the case up in court, and his lawyers claimed his contract with São Paulo was no longer valid due to the breaches. As a result, in mid-2010, Oscar signed for Internacional of Porto Alegre while the case still dragged on in the courts.

Although initially only part of the Inter Under-23 side, by the end of the year Oscar had broken into the Internacional first team, and, in 2011, became an integral part of the squad. He would go on to form a strong partnership with Argentinian Andres D’Alessandro in the middle of the park for Inter, and the two became the creative hub of the team. Despite a few injuries that year, Oscar still managed to hit double figures for both goals and assists. This was all in addition to some superb appearances for the Brazil Under-20 side at the 2011 South American championship and, later, at the youth World Cup—a tournament he capped off by a hat-trick in the final.

In 2012, with D’Alessandro injured in the beginning of the season, Oscar became an even more prominent player in the Inter side, and also began to act more centrally (whereas, with D’Alessandro, he often played on the right flank). Although Leandro Damião was making his own headlines upfront for Inter with a scintillating scoring record, the attention was still mostly focused on the displays of the more subtle playmaker behind him. As his profile rose, and European interest escalated, São Paulo suddenly brought the legal case back, claiming Oscar was still rightfully their player as his transfer to Inter had not been sanctioned by the club. A court settlement eventually forced Inter to pay the Paulista side €6 million, but just a few months later Inter themselves cashed in when they accepted a €25 million offer from Chelsea in the 2012 summer transfer window.

Chelsea fans got to see a glimpse of that new player that summer, as Oscar played an integral part in Brazil’s Olympic squad, who marched to the final in London. Although Brazil had to settle for silver against Mexico, many pinpointed Oscar as the player of the tournament for his mature displays for Brazil. Playing more of a central playmaker role, often dropping rather deep, he dictated the pace of the games and grabbed even more headlines than his flashier compatriot Neymar.

Oscar’s first year at Chelsea was to be another bright one. Although he was eased into the side after the Olympics, often coming off the bench, he announced his class to the world with two headline grabbing appearances in the Champions League. The first was a two goal haul in his first start for the club against none other than Juventus, with the second of his goals a superb first touch and swivel and flawless strike past Gianluigi Buffon. That was soon followed up by a succulent volley from the half-way line against Shakhtar. Although he was often rotated, Oscar still played over 60 games for Chelsea, hitting double figured for both goals and assists, with partnership with Hazard and Mata of particular importance to the side. By the end of the year he was also firmly established in the Brazil national squad, being favored over the likes of in-form Ronaldinho for Brazil’s success at the 2013 Confederations Cup.


Style of play:

It would be crude to label Oscar as a classic Brazilian #10. That stereotypical technical player is given a free role in midfield, and is charged with the defense splitting vision to feed the goal scorers upfront. They draw the plaudits for technique and vision, shimmying away from challenges nonchalantly before unexpectedly showing the type of creativity fans can’t help but applaud. Crude, not because Oscar isn’t capable of these things (he most certainly is), but because it detracts from how modern of a player he is, having evolved past these tired old labels in much the same way the game of football has evolved over the past decades. His game is less about swagger and more about intelligent decision making, fueled by his crisp passing and delicate touches. His first touch, in particular, is excellent, and his ability to pop up throughout the pitch, with a well timed late run into the box or a one-two on the flanks, can make you feel like he is playing multiple positions. And in many ways, he is.

To better understand Oscar’s game one needs to look at his versatility when lining up on the field. For Inter he was often deployed on the right of midfield, for Brazil’s Under-20 side he was given a free role and seemingly drifted where he wished, whereas for Chelsea he alternates playing anywhere across the attacking midfield three and, for Brazil, he often plays more centrally—having even played as a Pirlo-esque deep-lying playmaker. This versatility does not even fully explain his dynamism though, as his tactical awareness is sensational.

Throughout games Oscar adapts not only in the selfish sense of moving into areas where he can find more space, but also more specifically in plugging the gaps left behind by any of his own roaming teammates. At the Under-20 World Cup this would often be Coutinho, for Chelsea it would be the similarly intelligent Mata (and to some extent Hazard). At the Confederations Cup, meanwhile, as Neymar and Hulk start wide but cut inside towards goal, Oscar will frequently drop to the flanks to fill the voids. Tactically this awareness is important not only in terms of balancing the team and finding space in the attacking sense, but also in the role it plays defensively when the team loses possession.

Oscar is neither the fastest nor the most physical of players, and yet his defensive contributions and intelligent pressing are often lauded aspects of his game, made possible by his intelligent positioning. Despite his stature he is not easy to shove off the ball, and he can do a surprisingly good job at protecting the ball at times, against much bigger opposition players.

Lidt spanske reflektioner....

Confederaciones: Cinco lecturas clave del torneo

Jose David López

Brasil jamás podrá olvidar este 2013. Era el primer test, el primer examen, el primer compromiso con su pueblo y con el fútbol que había dejado desaparecer paulatinamente con el transcurrir pausado de los últimos años. Era el último sueño de Filipe Scolari, el primero de un Neymar coronado como estrella mundial y el de una renovada selección canarinha que había agigantado dudas en las últimas apariciones ante rivales de entidad. Pero también era el torneo de los nuevos estadios, de las pruebas por auto-convencerse capacitados para albergar todo lo que se les viene encima y, desde luego, para mostrarse al mundo como algo más que samba, buen tiempo y alegría en sus rostros. Tras finalizar su particular balance con diferentes éxitos y muchos fracasos, quien más y mejor puede sonreír es la FIFA, que ha logrado potenciar como deseaba una Copa Confederaciones que consiguió la repercusión mundial que añoraba. Analizamos las cinco lecturas más interesantes de la edición 2013.

1: El pueblo gritó contra el fútbol: No deja de ser el país del fútbol, pero mientras para unos representaba la única manera de reconciliarse y recuperar ese trono histórico que se tambaleaba puntualmente con la aparición de una generación de España capaz de afrontar cualquier reto, para muchos otros el fútbol era una maniobra de distracción eficaz para poder manifestar sus necesidades entre la enorme corrupción que tantos eventos mundiales (desde este torneo hasta Brasil 2014 pasando por los Juegos Olímpicos) ha multiplicado. No son dos alborotadores, sino miles, cientos de miles bien abanderados por personajes de diferentes escalones y estado social (incluso futbolistas internacionales campeones del mundo como Romario). Tal ha sido la capacidad de estos para hacerse escuchar, que las portadas del título abrían junto a fotos impactantes de los altercados que existen y existieron en torno a Maracaná. No se darán por vencidos. Es una etapa de fondo y apenas llegaron al primer puerto.

2: Neymar, el salto definitivo hacia el estrellato: Apenas 24 horas antes de que Brasil vapuleara a España en la finalísima, el jugador franquicia de esta selección canarinha de Scolari, generaba diferentes debates en medio mundo. En mi entorno, supuso un ritual concreto y muy repetitivo sobre las aptitudes reales de Neymar, al que muchísimos jamás pudieron ver en directo hasta este torno que le abrió las puertas del primer nivel absoluto. Se cuestionaba su capacidad para afrontar defensores teóricamente más tácticos que en el Brasileirao, se cuestionaba su exceso de fervor en situaciones de presión y hasta se esperaba poder seguir criticando alguna de sus escenas grotescas (como la que protagonizó ante Uruguay con Álvaro González). Y solo necesitó dos semanas de campeonato y un par de detalles para demostrar que puede aniquilar a cualquiera. Tendrá que seguir mejorando en algunos apsectos muy extradeportivos, pero su asesor de imagen ya le enseñó a demostrar respeto por el perdedor al ser el primer en acudir a abrazar y elogiar a España tras pasar por encima de ellos. Si quería un escenario ideal para llegar como estrella al universo Barcelona, no ha podido elegir mejor momento.

3: Paulinho ese desconocido convertido en indispensable: De desconocido a revelación. Llegaba con las mejores perspectivas, aliándose con aquellos que lo habíamos disfrutado en Corinthians como mejor jugador internacional aún en el Brasileirao y dispuesto a demostrar que su salto a Europa era inminente (tanto que durante el propio torneo se habló de varios clubes y parece que será jugador del Tottenham). Mediocentro revolucionario por concepto. Porque no solo ayuda a guardar posición a su ‘coche escoba’, sino que aporta sobre todo una grata alternativa desde segunda línea con disparos desde frontal, llegadas pisando área y otra opción a balón parado por su inteligencia en estas acciones, algo que incluso sirvió para acabar de matar a Uruguay en semifinales. Amplitud, recorrido y un importante fondo físico, le permiten aparecer en diferentes funciones durante los partidos pero siempre aportando concentración y un imponente estado de frenetismo bien entendido. Es su momento y lo ha sabido aprovechar con un Balón de Bronce.

4: España, de más a menos pero sin gustarse: Solo 35’, los que van desde el inicio del primer partido ante Uruguay hasta pocos antes de que en esa misma noche llegara el descanso. Ese fue el margen que la selección española decidió jugar a su mejor nivel en esta Confederaciones 2013. Mostró la mejor cara, la de la intensidad, la de la alegría, la del ritmo y la de la presión en campo contrario. Fuera por el exceso de confianza en un grupo accesible o por las potentes dificultades físicas que les ha exigido el torneo (calor excesivo y una humedad nada habitual para los españoles), los de Del Bosque acabaron desfondados, obligados a una prórroga mortal ante Italia en un partido con más corazón que ideas y auto-mutilándose para la finalísima ante un enemigo ‘resabiado’ en su planteamiento, con muchísima mayor ambición y con la cabeza más fría. La mejor noticia es que, de nuevo, la lectura debe ser la de aprovechar el golpe para aprender de él de cara al próximo año, sobre todo porque el conocimiento del resto de rivales hará más complicadas las tardes de gloria de España. Hay tiempo, pero debe haber cambios.

5: Será muy difícil evitar que Brasil gane su sexto Mundial en 2014: La pentacampeona sabe qué tiene y sabe cómo sacarle provecho. En apenas unos meses, Scolari ha logrado aportar identidad y sello referencial a su equipo, al que dota de muchísima intensidad, concentración y cinco pilares determinantes. Se apoya en dos centrales con gran salida de balón, en dos pivotes multi-recorrido, en los movimientos de un delantero inusual y en una estrella mundial que acaba de encontrar el mejor nivel de su aun corta trayectoria hacia los mayores éxitos. Con esos argumentos, la sola presencia de Brasil sería ya una gran baza para considerarla favorita al Mundial pero si, además, sobre telón de fondo aparece Maracaná y una interminable lista de sentimientos que impulsarán sin descanso desde tan románticos graderíos, parece más difícil todavía poder aplacar el sueño canarinho en un año. España tendrá que esperar su Maracanazo 2.0.