Confederations Cup Draw

Confederations Cup Draw

Is it top 2 that progress?

New Zealand will meet hosts South Africa, Iraq and European champions Spain in the group stage of next year's Confederations Cup.

Italy, Brazil, Egypt and the USA will square off in group B.

New Zealand's opening match will be against Spain on June 14 in Rustenberg.

They will then meet South Africa also in Rustenberg on June 17 and Iraq in Bloemfontein on June 20.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10544615

This is the best draw possible for the All Whites. The games against Iraq and the host South Africa are the teams that may allow us some chances to score goals and put off an upset because most people have written us off completely. Iraq has lost their Asian Cup winning coach and then lost all the WCQ games and friendlies except for two draws and a home 1-0 win against Australia. A win is very possible. South Africa had mixed results but played like 19 games this year. A draw is a likely chance against them. Spain, well it's a good measure to know the gulf to improve on.

yates10:Yes the top two of each group goes to the second stage.AllWhitebelievr2008-11-23 10:04:39

Agree, best possible draw for us. But then again, that's exactly what the Iraqis and South Africans are thinking as well.

I highly doubt that Spain will be there with the full squad, but even the second-string Spanish side will be the best possible opposition we'll have a chance of playing before the World Cup play-off.

Darn, I was just informed that Iraq just rehired Jorvan Vieira in September. So it's not that a greater prospect as I first thought. South Africa has Joel Santana as coach so we should see solid defence from them so a draw is very possible if we play our cards right.

We probably had a better chance at Bob Bradley's US team. Looking at all the coaches, they have really long classy winning coaching record through and through.

It's going to be interesting how we cope. If Ricki can pull one out of the bag, people have to stand up and notice because the odds are well and truly stack against him in all areas. He is the least experienced coach and the smallest of the countries and confederation.

Just wondering out of us, Iraq and SA do we have the highest paided player? (In Nelsen)

I don't think we'll be seeing Torres at the Confed Cup - along with a lot of other Spanish first teamers.

Purely because he's scared of Seamonster of course...

McArthy and Peinaar (sp ?) would be on good money.

Article  i read this morning said we are ranked (at the moment) ahead of Iraq and SA, that would surely be the first time ever we have entered a major tournament rated as the second best team in the pool?

Our ranking will take a major hit in December, so by the time the tournament rolls around, we'll be ranked the lowest there.

We got any warm up games lined up yet?

vs 'Nix in March from what I've heard on the forum. I seem to remember a possibe friendly with Indonesia from somewhere, but I may just be making that up.

Fix-it man Bora answers Iraq SOS BAGHDAD: Bora Milutinovic, the journeyman Serbian coach with a touch of gold, has been asked to work his magic once again � this time for beleaguered Asian champions Iraq.

Milutinovic, who has coached five national teams at the FIFA World Cup, has been hired by the Iraq Football Association for their FIFA Confederations Cup campaign in South Africa.

He replaces temporary coach Radesh Shneichel, who took over after AFC Asian Cup-winning coach Jorvan Vieira, of Brazil, was sacked in February.

The Iraq FA and Milutinovic himself have confirmed the arrangement.

�We have reached a final agreement and he will lead the team at the Confederations Cup,� said Iraq FA vice-president Najeh Hamoud. �He will start his mission on April 16 in Baghdad. We will study the possibility of extending his contract after the tournament.�

Milutinovic was quoted as saying: �I�ve been offered a deal to take Iraq to the FIFA Confederations Cup and I agreed.�

The 64-year-old is famous for leading a multitude of teams at the FIFA World Cup. In 1986 he took hosts Mexico to the quarter-finals before helping Costa Rica reach the second round in 1990.

The United States, under his charge, also reached the second round in 1994 as hosts as did the Milutinovic-led Nigeria in 1998. In 2002, his record of going past the group stages was halted when China lost all their three preliminary matches.

Milutinovic has also coached Honduras and Jamaica. He now lives in Mexico.

In June, Iraq will face European champions Spain, as well as South Africa and New Zealand in the FIFA Confederations Cup, which acts as a dress rehearsal for the FIFA World Cup 2010. Italy, Brazil, Egypt and the United States complete the line-up.

http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_168625146.html

I was watching Sky Sport yesterday and I saw an ad for the Confed. Cup. I really hope they will show all the NZ games!

BAGHDAD: Bora Milutinovic, the journeyman Serbian coach with a touch of
gold, has been asked to work his magic once again � this time for
beleaguered Asian champions Iraq. . . .

He replaces temporary coach Radesh Shneichel, who took over after AFC
Asian Cup-winning coach Jorvan Vieira, of Brazil, was sacked in
February.
. . .

We will study the possibility
of extending his contract after the tournament.�



Jorvan Vieira, of Brazil, was sacked in February??

More likely that Iraq FA was messing around again and Jorvan quitted on them. He has never technically been fired but rather FA's tend to offer him the world instead.

I highly doubt that Bora Milutinovic will stay around after the tournament. The Iraq FA are 3 times harder to deal with than the Chinese FA. He's only there for the quick cash.

Few days ago saw a 30 minute Fifa show on the WC. Also took a look at the Confed cup and talked a bit about us. Even had an interview with Van Hattum.

Malky2009-05-15 15:00:46