Predictions - WC Qualifiers

Hello all my friends, I have come up with another Soccer News. As you know that the Soccer World Cup draw in Durban is less than 400 days away now! I thought it’d be a good opportunity to think about which teams names will be in those little balls to be drawn out for the groups for 2010. Soccer Fans have already started Football Betting in various World cup prdictions. Here are some of my predictions and I have also mentioned the reasons why each team should be there:

I will post later about the UEFA section because the UEFA section will the longest time and it is also the hardest one to predict anything.
AFC - Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
These are the best five teams in Asia. I don’t think there can be many objections. Uzbekistan or Bahrain will probably get into the playoff spot but they are likely to be overpowered by Saudi Arabia/Iran/Korea Republic. Two of the three teams mentioned will qualify automatically, the other will playoff and smash New Zealand.

CAF - Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana & Cote d’Ivoire
The final round for the CAF has taken shape. Five groups of four, with the top team in each group to qualify. Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire should not have any excuses not to qualify, they have relatively easy groups. Cameroon and Nigeria have tric

ky groups with Cameroon having to tackle Morocco and Togo, whilst the Nigerians have to face recent World Cup regulars Tunisia. Ghana have the threat of Mali to deal with but I think they’ll have too much quality.

CONCACAF - Mexico, USA & Costa Rica. There is quite a gulf between these three nations and the rest of CONCACAF, and its been obvious for the last ten years. They’ll get through easily, but the fourth placed team will lose the playoff, the South American team will be way too strong.

CONMEBOL - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay & Chile. The first three are the “usual suspects” and will definitely be there. Uruguay are looking good and will probably also be there this time, after the disappointment of not making Germany 2006. Ecuador, who usually have been World Cup regulars have had a slower start than usual. Their away form has been terrible which is in contrast to Chile, whose away form has been sound, so I’ve tipped them ahead of Ecuador. Whoever comes fifth will beat the CONCACAF qualifier in the playoff.

The UEFA qualifiers will be analyzed in another article in the future since it is too early to make a reasonable prediction. Overall, it seems that most of the teams that will be there in 2010 will be pretty much the same ones that fought it out in Germany 2 years ago. However, previous World Cups have shown that there are always first timers. Hence, surprises should expected when most qualifiers resume in 2009. These weeks, I won't be able to post regularly because of EPL season and Fantasy Football. Cheers!!!

Soccer - Laws of the Game

Rules made in 1863

The Laws were first drawn up by Ebenezer Cobb Morley and approved at a meeting of the Football Association (FA) on 8 December 1863.

The Football Association Laws of 1863 as published in the press (in Bell's Life) for approval on 5 December 1863:

The maximum length of the ground shall be 200 yards (180 m), the maximum breadth shall be 100 yards (91 m), the length and breadth shall be marked off with flags; and the goal shall be defined by two upright posts, eight yards (7 m) apart, without any tape or bar across them.

A toss for goals shall take place, and the game shall be commenced by a place kick from the centre of the ground by the side losing the toss for goals; the other side shall not approach within 10 yards (9.1 m) of the ball until it is kicked off.

After a goal is won, the losing side shall be entitled to kick off, and the two sides shall change goals after each goal is won.

A goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal-posts or over the space between the goal-posts (at whatever height), not being thrown, knocked on, or carried.

When the ball is in touch, the first player who touches it shall throw it from the point on the boundary line where it left the ground in a direction at right angles with the boundary line, and the ball shall not be in play until it has touched the ground.

When a player has kicked the ball, any one of the same side who is nearer to the opponent's goal line is out of play, and may not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so, until he is in play; but no player is out of play when the ball is kicked off from behind the goal line.

In case the ball goes behind the goal line, if a player on the side to whom the goal belongs first touches the ball, one of his side shall be entitled to a free kick from the goal line at the point opposite the place where the ball shall be touched. If a player of the opposite side first touches the ball, one of his side shall be entitled to a free kick at the goal only from a point 15 yards (14 m) outside the goal line, opposite the place where the ball is touched, the opposing side standing within their goal line until he has had his kick.

If a player makes a fair catch, he shall be entitled to a free kick, providing he claims it by making a mark with his heel at once; and in order to take such kick he may go back as far as he pleases, and no player on the opposite side shall advance beyond his mark until he has kicked.

No player shall run with the ball.

Neither tripping nor hacking shall be allowed, and no player shall use his hands to hold or push his adversary.

A player shall not be allowed to throw the ball or pass it to another with his hands.

No player shall be allowed to take the ball from the ground with his hands under any pretence whatever while it is in play.

No player shall be allowed to wear projecting nails, iron plates, or gutta-percha[1] on the soles or heels of his boots.

At its meeting on 8 December the FA agreed (as reported in Bell's Life) John Lillywhite should publish the Laws, which he said he could do at a cost of a shilling for the pocket size and 1s 6d for the larger size for club rooms.

International Football Association Board

The Laws of the Game are written by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). They meet at least once a year to debate and decide any changes to the text as it exists at that time. The meeting in Winter generally leads to an update to the laws on 1 July of each year that take effect immediately. The laws govern all International matches and National matches of member organizations.

The board was established on December 6, 1882 when representatives from the Scottish Football Association (SFA), the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and the Irish Football Association (IFA) (now the governing body in Northern Ireland and not to be confused with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) the governing body in the Republic of Ireland) were invited to attend a meeting in Manchester by the FA; previously games between teams from different countries had to agree to which country's rules were used before playing.

When the international football body on the continent FIFA was founded in Paris in 1904, it immediately declared that FIFA would adhere to the rules laid down by the IFAB. The growing popularity of the international game led to the admittance of FIFA representatives to the IFAB in 1913. Today the IFAB is made up of four representatives from FIFA representing their over 200+ member Nations and one representative each from the United Kingdom's four associations. Because six votes are required to make any changes to the Laws, no change can be made without FIFA's approval, but FIFA cannot change the Laws on its own.

About the Football Association

The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of association football in England and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association. Based in Soho Square (as of 2009 wembley stadium), London, it is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of football in England, both professional and amateur. The FA sanctions all competitive football matches in England, either directly (at a National Level), or indirectly (at a local level through County Football Associations). It runs numerous competitions, the most famous of which is the annual FA Cup. It is also responsible for appointing the management of the men's, women's and youth national football teams. The FA is a founder member of both UEFA and FIFA and is a member of the International Football Association Board, which is responsible for the laws of the game.



The Football Association is a member of UEFA and FIFA and holds a permanent seat on the International Football Association Board (IFAB). As the first ever football association, it uniquely does not use the national name (i.e. English) in its title (compared to the Scottish Football Association, for example). It is headquartered at 25 Soho Square, London, United Kingdom although it has now begun relocation to offices built in the Wembley Stadium to cut down on rent costs. All of England's professional football teams are members of the Football Association. The FA is responsible for the appointment of the management of the England men's and women's national teams and the organization of the FA Cup. Although it does not run the day-to-day operations of the country's top league, the Premier League, it has veto power over the appointment of the league Chairman and Chief Executive and over any changes to league rules.[1] The Football League, England's second tier league, consisting of The Championship, League One and League Two, is self-governing. Both the F.A and the Football league have the power to restrict transfers and deduct points from clubs, most commonly for clubs going into administration or experiencing financial irregularities. However this is controversial as it is often the case that points are deducted from struggling clubs, worsening their financial situations and upsetting the fans of the clubs so penalized. The game is controlled at the local level, by 43 County Football Associations affiliated to The Football Association but with responsibilities for organising and running football activities in their area. The Jersey, Guernsey, and Isle of Man Football Associations are organised as County Football Associations below the FA.[2] A hierarchy of leagues operates throughout the game, each taking responsibility for the administration of their own activities, such as membership, fixtures and registrations. The FA owns and runs both Wembley Stadium and the National Football Centre (The National Football Centre is currently under construction with a target for completion set for 2010).

About UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League (usually referred to as simply the Champions League or less frequently as the European Cup) is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It is the most prestigious club trophy in European football. Prior to 1992 the tournament was officially called the European Champion Clubs' Cup but was usually referred to as simply the European Cup or European Champions' Cup. The competition was initially a straight knockout competition open only to the champion club of each country. During the 1990s the tournament began to be expanded, incorporating a round-robin group phase and more teams. Europe's strongest national leagues now provide up to four teams each for the competition. The UEFA Champions League should not be confused with the UEFA Europa League, formerly known as the UEFA Cup.

UEFA Cup

The tournament consists of several stages. In the present format it begins in mid-July with three knockout qualifying rounds. The 16 surviving teams join 16 seeded teams in the group stage, in which there are eight groups consisting of four teams each. The eight group winners and eight runners-up enter the final knockout phase, which ends with the final match in May. The title has been won by 21 different clubs, 12g of which have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holders are Real Madrid, who have won the competition nine times, including the first five seasons it was contested. Barcelona are the current champions. Since the tournament changed name and structure in 1992, no club has managed consecutive wins.

Big 4 dominance at EPL

Another major criticism is the development of the so-called "Big Four" clubs. From the 2005-06 season onwards, the "Big Four" (Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea) have dominated the top four spots (Only Everton in 2004 - 2005 have broken this sequence), thus a place in the UEFA Champions League. Since Blackburn Rovers lifted the trophy in 1994–95, only three clubs have won the Premier League title – Manchester United (nine of the club's eleven titles), Arsenal (three times) and Chelsea (twice). In addition, Manchester United have not finished outside the top three since the formation of the Premier League, with Arsenal finishing inside the top five in all but two seasons, while Liverpool, without an English league title since the pre-Premier League era, have only finished outside the top 4 twice in the last 10 years. Also, in the last two seasons, three of the "Big Four" teams have reached the Champions League semi-final stage, and all four teams have reached the quarter final stage, with the team eliminated being eliminated by another member of the "Big Four". Also, in the last four years, two members of the big four have won the Champions League (Liverpool in 2005, Manchester United in 2008) and each of the big four has been a runner up in the last four years (Arsenal in 2006, Liverpool in 2007, Chelsea in 2008 and Manchester United in 2009). In recent years, the success of these clubs has led to these four teams being increasingly referred to as the "Big Four". The Big Four clubs have finished in the first four positions for the last four seasons, therefore they have all qualified for the last three seasons of the Champions League and receive the financial benefits of such qualification. The benefits, especially increased revenue, is believed to have widened the gap between the Big Four clubs and the rest of the Premier League. In May 2008, Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan said the Big Four's dominance threatened the division, saying, "This league is in danger of becoming one of the most boring but great leagues in the world." Following Keegan's comments, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore defended the league, saying, "There are a lot of different tussles that go on in the Premier League depending on whether you're at the top, in the middle or at the bottom that make it interesting."

Liverpool Logo

Liverpool Soccer Stadium

Manchester United Logo

Marcelo Pantanella of The Times also criticised the widening financial power of the division's top teams, naming the Premier League the 2nd worst thing about modern football, saying "What’s changed since the Premier League broke away from the Football League in 1992? Everything. If you won the First Division title, you were the best team in England. If you win the Premier League, you owe someone £500 million.

Arsenal Club Logo

About English Premier League

The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier League is a corporation in which the 20 member clubs act as shareholders. Seasons run from August to May, with teams playing 38 games each. It is sponsored by Barclays Bank and therefore officially known as the Barclays Premier League.

Logo of English Premier League

The competition formed as the FA Premier League on 20 February 1992 following the decision of clubs in the Football League First Division to break away from The Football League, which was originally founded in 1888, and take advantage of a lucrative television rights deal. The Premier League has since become the world's most watched sporting league. It is the world's most lucrative football league, with combined club revenues of £1.93 billion ($3.15bn) in 2007–08. It is also ranked first in the UEFA coefficients of leagues based on performances in European competitions over the last five years, ahead of Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A.

A total of 43 clubs have competed in the Premier League, but only four have won the title: Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Arsenal, and Chelsea. The current champions are Manchester United, who won their eleventh Premier League title in the 2008–09 season, the most of any Premier League team.