Well this is the 3rd WC since I came to US and IMO this time around, the media coverage is a lot more, media hype about the US team was definately a lot more than previous years.Originally Posted by Jono
But you are right, people dont really care, none of my colleagues have/had any idea about it.
It is fair to say if the USA were not in the World Cup, FIFA would be very upset. CONCACAF were only given more potential places for the World Cup because of the fears that the USA and Mexico could miss out. FIFA could not afford to lose a huge part of it’s potential audience (the TV right's deal in the US is bigger than any other nation I am told).
Needless to say China’s failure to qualify also was a cause of concern for FIFA and come hell or high water, China need to be in South Africa in four years time.
The US in FIFA eyes are not minnows but one of the best sources of prosperity.
Do they have any such plan for INDIA ?
Unfortunately I think India are a bit too dire to qualify for the World Cup right now, no matter how many concessions they got, but I'm sure if they improved to be a decent team by Asian football standards FIFA would be desperate to have them qualify, given how significant sporting success is in Indian culture.Do they have any such plan for INDIA ?
I know a place where a royal flush
Can never beat a pair
NZ is going to qualify in 2010... It is going to be huge
India actually were one of the best teams in Asian football during the 50's, 60's and 70's but unfortunately the game fell away as cricket took sway.
Amazingly enough they actually qualified for the 1950 world cup but they couldn't go due to a lack of funds.
They've recently appointed an English Coach in Bob Houghton, so they are hoping to improve on their world rankings witrh him.
There does appear to be quite a bit of footballing talent over in India if you beleive some of the people associated with Indian football.
These BBC article on the topic are quite revealing http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ll/3937015.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5071330.stm
That's right we were successful when no one in Asia played the game. And let's not blame cricket, please !!!
I thought you never went because FIFA wouldn't let you play in bare feet
I'm just saying
RIP Craigos. A true CW legend. You will be missed.
That would be so awesome.
It will actually be our best chance to qualify for ages - we only have to beat one team that's miles better than us instead of two like usual.
He’s thrown a kettle over a pub, what have you done?
- Gareth Keenan from "The Office"
*****Winner***** of the 2006 FIFA World Cup predictions thread...see you in four years' time?
It would be funny if they did and a certain turncoat nation didn't...
marc71178 - President and founding member of AAAS - we don't only appreciate when he does well, but also when he's not quite so good!
Anyone want to join the Society?
Beware the evils of Kit-Kats - they're immoral apparently.
The lack of funds was they couldn't afford boots?
Yeah it would be Uruguay or someone like that wouldn't it? I reckon NZ football is improving all the time.
It would be nice if we could play-off against a team like Saudi Arabia or someone like that instead of a South American nation...
No, laughably they're actually fifth!
For soem kind of perspective on that Argentina are 9th, we're 10th & Italy 13th....
- As featured in The Independent.
"This is not the time for namby-pamby promising youngsters who might just do something; not the time for building for the future. Pragmatism rules and they don't come more pragmatic than Rogers."
- Victor Marks makes the case for stiff-legged and stiff-armed 35 year old left-handers in Ashes squads
Didn't that happen once, and Australia were beaten by Iran?!
Yeah in 98, Iran went through on away goals.
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