International friendlies wrap: USA hold Argentina at bay

The USA dug in to claim a draw with a star-studded Argentina, while Chile and Portugal could not be split in Saturday’s friendly action.

Facing an Argentina line-up featuring the likes of Lionel Messi, Esteban Cambiasso and Angel di Maria, the USA showed why they made the Round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup by coming from behind to force a draw at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey.Messi threatened throughout and went close on several occasions, with it coming as little surprise when he was heavily involved in the match’s opening goal on 42 minutes.The Barcelona starlet nutmegged USA captain Carlos Bocanegra after a mazy run into the penalty area, with Cambiasso scoring high into the net after di Maria’s close-range shot was saved by Tim Howard.But the game was to finish 1-1 after teenager Juan Agudelo – a half-time substitute for Blackburn midfielder Jermaine Jones – seized on a fumble from Argentina goalkeeper Mariano Andujar in the 59th minute to poke home.It was New York Red Bull striker Agudelo’s second goal in just three senior games, with the 18-year-old also netting in his club’s MLS opener last Saturday.Elsewhere, Portugal and Chile played out a 1-1 draw in Leiria, with the home side taking the lead in the 16th minute when winger Varela headed home Nani’s corner.But Chile squared the encounter on 41 minutes when Matias Fernandez – who plays his club football in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon – finished past Rui Patricio.Continuing the Portuguese football trend, Porto duo Fredy Guarin and Falcao both scored in Colombia’s 2-0 against Ecuador in Madrid.Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez hit a first-half double and Andres Guardado added another as Mexico defeated Paraguay 3-1.Sunderland midfielder Cristian Riveros struck Paraguay’s late consolation goal, with the game played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in California.

Sun 27 March, 2011

International friendlies wrap: USA hold Argentina at bay

The USA dug in to claim a draw with a star-studded Argentina, while Chile and Portugal could not be split in Saturday’s friendly action.

Facing an Argentina line-up featuring the likes of Lionel Messi, Esteban Cambiasso and Angel di Maria, the USA showed why they made the Round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup by coming from behind to force a draw at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey.Messi threatened throughout and went close on several occasions, with it coming as little surprise when he was heavily involved in the match’s opening goal on 42 minutes.The Barcelona starlet nutmegged USA captain Carlos Bocanegra after a mazy run into the penalty area, with Cambiasso scoring high into the net after di Maria’s close-range shot was saved by Tim Howard.But the game was to finish 1-1 after teenager Juan Agudelo – a half-time substitute for Blackburn midfielder Jermaine Jones – seized on a fumble from Argentina goalkeeper Mariano Andujar in the 59th minute to poke home.It was New York Red Bull striker Agudelo’s second goal in just three senior games, with the 18-year-old also netting in his club’s MLS opener last Saturday.Elsewhere, Portugal and Chile played out a 1-1 draw in Leiria, with the home side taking the lead in the 16th minute when winger Varela headed home Nani’s corner.But Chile squared the encounter on 41 minutes when Matias Fernandez – who plays his club football in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon – finished past Rui Patricio.Continuing the Portuguese football trend, Porto duo Fredy Guarin and Falcao both scored in Colombia’s 2-0 against Ecuador in Madrid.Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez hit a first-half double and Andres Guardado added another as Mexico defeated Paraguay 3-1.Sunderland midfielder Cristian Riveros struck Paraguay’s late consolation goal, with the game played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in California.

Sun 27 March, 2011

International friendlies wrap: Korea crush Honduras, China held

South Korea thumped Honduras 4-0 in Friday’s friendly action, while China and New Zealand were forced to share the spoils.

In front of 30,000 fans in Seoul, the South Koreans produced a professional performance to see off their Central American opponents with ease.Playing for the first time in South Korea this year, Cho Kwang-Rae’s side took the lead after 28 minutes when Lee Jung-Soo found the back of the net.The hosts doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Kim Jung-Woo made the most of good build-up play from the country’s new captain, Park Chu-Young, and fired his shot past Honduras shot-stopper Noel Valladares.With the game petering out, the hosts added more polish to the scoreboard with goals inside the last 10 minutes from Park and Lee Keun-Ho. New Zealand came from behind to grab a 1-1 draw against China at the Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium.The All Whites, who impressed at the 2010 World Cup, made a horror start when an own goal from Andrew Boyens gave China the lead after just two minutes.Du Wei’s header required a save from Glen Moss but his parry struck Boyens and hit the back of the net to give the hosts the early initiative.But the equaliser came when Michael McGlinchey launched a shot from distance that beat substitute goalkeeper Cheng Yuelei seven minutes into the second half.In other results, Estonia shocked Uruguay 2-0 courtesy of goals from Konstantin Vassiljev and Vjatseslav Zahovaiko, Montenegro overcame Uzbekistan thanks to a Simon Vukcevic strike and Lithuania defeated visiting Poland 2-0 with Saulius Mikoliunas and Edgaras Cesnauskis getting on the scoresheet.Matches between Kuwait and Jordan and Qatar and Tunisia were postponed.

Sat 26 March, 2011

International friendlies wrap: Korea crush Honduras, China held

South Korea thumped Honduras 4-0 in Friday’s friendly action, while China and New Zealand were forced to share the spoils.

In front of 30,000 fans in Seoul, the South Koreans produced a professional performance to see off their Central American opponents with ease.Playing for the first time in South Korea this year, Cho Kwang-Rae’s side took the lead after 28 minutes when Lee Jung-Soo found the back of the net.The hosts doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Kim Jung-Woo made the most of good build-up play from the country’s new captain, Park Chu-Young, and fired his shot past Honduras shot-stopper Noel Valladares.With the game petering out, the hosts added more polish to the scoreboard with goals inside the last 10 minutes from Park and Lee Keun-Ho. New Zealand came from behind to grab a 1-1 draw against China at the Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium.The All Whites, who impressed at the 2010 World Cup, made a horror start when an own goal from Andrew Boyens gave China the lead after just two minutes.Du Wei’s header required a save from Glen Moss but his parry struck Boyens and hit the back of the net to give the hosts the early initiative.But the equaliser came when Michael McGlinchey launched a shot from distance that beat substitute goalkeeper Cheng Yuelei seven minutes into the second half.In other results, Estonia shocked Uruguay 2-0 courtesy of goals from Konstantin Vassiljev and Vjatseslav Zahovaiko, Montenegro overcame Uzbekistan thanks to a Simon Vukcevic strike and Lithuania defeated visiting Poland 2-0 with Saulius Mikoliunas and Edgaras Cesnauskis getting on the scoresheet.Matches between Kuwait and Jordan and Qatar and Tunisia were postponed.

Sat 26 March, 2011

Japan to host two friendlies

Japan have confirmed that two international friendlies will go ahead later this month despite the earthquake and tsunami.

Japan Football Association general secretary Kozo Tashima said the matches against Montenegro on March 25 at the Shizuoka Stadium, southwest of Tokyo, and New Zealand in Tokyo four days later would go ahead.

The devastating 8.9-earthquake and 10-metre tsunami that submerged the country’s northeast coast on Friday has left an estimated death toll of more than 10,000.

“It would mean something to stage these games, more than ever,” the Kyodo news agency reported Tashima saying at the JFA headquarters in Tokyo.

“We will hold it in Shizuoka of course, and I think having the game in Tokyo will really mean something. The matches are still two weeks away and we need to send a message to the rest of the world.”

“The images people are seeing on CNN and what not, the world probably doesn’t have an accurate view of what Tokyo is like at the moment.”

“We need to inform people that Tokyo is functional, that the city is okay and order is being restored in Tokyo again.”

“The entire Japanese football community needs to help the country get back on its feet again,” Tashima added. “Not just soccer, but I think the whole sports world in Japan needs to step up for the nation.”

NZF chairman Frank van Hattum said the JFA told him they were keen for the match at Tokyo’s National Stadium, which has been sold out, to go ahead as planned.

Tokyo had been relatively unaffected, he said, and there were suggestions the match could be used as a joint fundraiser for Japan and Christchurch, which is recovering from a deadly earthquake on February 22.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand under-17 men’s team will travel to Japan on Tuesday as planned for an international tournament without their Japanese counterparts.

The 16-team Sanix Cup will see the Young All Whites play six games in four days in Fukuoka, on the southern island of Kyushu, and is the first leg of an Asian tour that also takes in two games against Qatar’s Aspire Academy in Doha.

The JFA suspended the weekend’s J-League fixtures and two matches in the AFC Champions League were also postponed.

Mon 14 March, 2011

Japan to host two friendlies

Japan have confirmed that two international friendlies will go ahead later this month despite the earthquake and tsunami.

Japan Football Association general secretary Kozo Tashima said the matches against Montenegro on March 25 at the Shizuoka Stadium, southwest of Tokyo, and New Zealand in Tokyo four days later would go ahead.

The devastating 8.9-earthquake and 10-metre tsunami that submerged the country’s northeast coast on Friday has left an estimated death toll of more than 10,000.

“It would mean something to stage these games, more than ever,” the Kyodo news agency reported Tashima saying at the JFA headquarters in Tokyo.

“We will hold it in Shizuoka of course, and I think having the game in Tokyo will really mean something. The matches are still two weeks away and we need to send a message to the rest of the world.”

“The images people are seeing on CNN and what not, the world probably doesn’t have an accurate view of what Tokyo is like at the moment.”

“We need to inform people that Tokyo is functional, that the city is okay and order is being restored in Tokyo again.”

“The entire Japanese football community needs to help the country get back on its feet again,” Tashima added. “Not just soccer, but I think the whole sports world in Japan needs to step up for the nation.”

NZF chairman Frank van Hattum said the JFA told him they were keen for the match at Tokyo’s National Stadium, which has been sold out, to go ahead as planned.

Tokyo had been relatively unaffected, he said, and there were suggestions the match could be used as a joint fundraiser for Japan and Christchurch, which is recovering from a deadly earthquake on February 22.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand under-17 men’s team will travel to Japan on Tuesday as planned for an international tournament without their Japanese counterparts.

The 16-team Sanix Cup will see the Young All Whites play six games in four days in Fukuoka, on the southern island of Kyushu, and is the first leg of an Asian tour that also takes in two games against Qatar’s Aspire Academy in Doha.

The JFA suspended the weekend’s J-League fixtures and two matches in the AFC Champions League were also postponed.

Mon 14 March, 2011

Argentina leave out Tevez for friendlies

Argentina boss Sergio Batista has called up seven Serie A players for this month’s friendlies against the US and Costa Rica.

Manchester City star Carlos Tevez and Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero were surprise omissions from Batista’s squad, but Inter Milan duo Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso have been rewarded for their good form with selection.

Other Italian-based players included are Napoli pair Ezequiel Lavezzi and Jose Sosa, plus Catania’s Mariano Andujar, Roma defender Nicolas Burdisso and Palermo’s Javier Pastore.

Independiente goalkeeper Adrian Gabbarini comes into the squad, as does Sevilla central defender Federico Fazio, who replaces Spartak Moscow stopper Nicolas Pareja.

Argentina travel to New Jersey to play the US on March 26 and then on to San Jose to take on Costa Rica on March 29.

Argentina squad: Sergio Romero, Mariano Andujar, Adrian Gabbarini; Federico Fazio, Javier Zanetti, Ezequiel Garay, Pablo Zabaleta, Marcos Rojo, Gabriel Milito, Nicolas Burdisso, Nicolas Otamendi; Mario Bolatti, Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Jose Sosa, Esteban Cambiasso, Fernando Belluschi, Javier Pastore, Angel Di Maria; Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gaitan, Eduardo Salvio.

Sun 13 March, 2011

Argentina leave out Tevez for friendlies

Argentina boss Sergio Batista has called up seven Serie A players for this month’s friendlies against the US and Costa Rica.

Manchester City star Carlos Tevez and Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero were surprise omissions from Batista’s squad, but Inter Milan duo Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso have been rewarded for their good form with selection.

Other Italian-based players included are Napoli pair Ezequiel Lavezzi and Jose Sosa, plus Catania’s Mariano Andujar, Roma defender Nicolas Burdisso and Palermo’s Javier Pastore.

Independiente goalkeeper Adrian Gabbarini comes into the squad, as does Sevilla central defender Federico Fazio, who replaces Spartak Moscow stopper Nicolas Pareja.

Argentina travel to New Jersey to play the US on March 26 and then on to San Jose to take on Costa Rica on March 29.

Argentina squad: Sergio Romero, Mariano Andujar, Adrian Gabbarini; Federico Fazio, Javier Zanetti, Ezequiel Garay, Pablo Zabaleta, Marcos Rojo, Gabriel Milito, Nicolas Burdisso, Nicolas Otamendi; Mario Bolatti, Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Jose Sosa, Esteban Cambiasso, Fernando Belluschi, Javier Pastore, Angel Di Maria; Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gaitan, Eduardo Salvio.

Sun 13 March, 2011

Fun, Fear, Friendlies

By: Noel | February 9th, 2011
    Tweet

There may not be any mid-week Liverpool match to look forward to, but at least there are a handful of international friendlies. To sort of half look forward to, I guess. Because it’s football, and what would you rather be doing? Working? Doing chores? Eating a nice meal with your family? So, yeah. Friendlies. Yay?

Consider this your matchday-like substance slash open thread. Please feel free to curse away in the comments section if anything interesting happens in whatever match you may be watching, and in any case, here’s the lineup of today’s matches from a Liverpool-centric point of view.

As always (or at least until the US government shuts them down as a threat to homeland security), the usual stream sources will have you covered if your local cable or satellite provider doesn’t:

ATDHE
FromSport
MyP2P

***

19:15GMT/2:15PM EST Denmark v. England

Just lay back and think of England, love. Because comparing watching the English national side to thoroughly unenjoyable, borderline consensual, performed entirely through a feeling of duty sex just seems right somehow. But hey, Chrisitian Poulsen starts for Denmark, so there’s that to look forward to.

Anyhow, Daniel Agger will also start for the Danes as the two sides face each other in Copenhagen, while for England Glen Johnson is expected but Gerrard will not be involved after pulling out with a “slight knock” that everybody assumes isn’t a slight knock and more a finger stuck up to the English FA after the injury filled soap opera that was the last international break.

The last time these two countries met was an ugly 4-1 defeat for England under the Svenster in 2005, so hey, revenge or something. Or not. Because it’s a meaningless friendly and nobody really cares.

19:30GMT/2:30PM EST Netherlands v. Austria

Elsewhere, Dirk Kuyt’s expected to play in this home friendly for the Dutch, and we all get to cross our fingers that he isn’t our new blonde striker who always gets injured while on international duty. But I probably won’t be watching this. Because yeah.

19:45GMT/2:45PM EST Northern Ireland v. Scotland

I know there’s been occasional interest in the Scottish national side here on the Liverpool Offside, but all I really know is that Danny Wilson will be involved for his second international in a row. Whether he starts or not isn’t clear yet, but his is one of the few cases where I can honestly say I’m left with no mixed feelings about his involvement at the international level. Give it a couple of years and him having earned a starting role at LFC and my feelings on that will have likely changed, but for now it’s unquestionably a good thing.

20:00GMT/3:00PM EST Argentina V. Portugal

One of today’s two marquee matches to get people watching whether they have a horse in the race or not–and to possibly make you forget for a minute or two that these aren’t even international qualifiers, they’re friendlies and as such of less importance in the grand scheme of things than even club pre-season friendlies–only has one Liverpool horse in the race this time, as the on form Raul Meireles will start in Portugal’s midfield while Maxi Rodriguez isn’t in Argentina’s plans as they look to build towards the future.

20:00GMT/3:00PM EST France v. Brazil

Today’s other marquee matchup. Or perhaps the marquee match up. It’s one way or the other, in any case, and in this case Lucas will anchor the midfield for Menezes’ Brazil while thankfully not having to fly half way around the globe to do so.

With Brazil hosting the next world cup, they’ve got nothing but another three years of international friendlies to look forward to once the Copa America wraps up this summer. In the meantime, though, it’s a chance for Lucas to shine again with his national side and it only means a quick hop across the channel.

20:30GMT/3:30PM EST Spain v. Colombia

Remember the days when watching Spain play was mandatory if you followed Liverpool? Well, now you get to watch Pepe Reina sit on the bench. But hey, I suppose it’s always enjoyable to watch Barcelona put on a show, and at least now we won’t have to sit on pins and needles waiting for Torres to blow up a hamstring playing for his country. That’s your problem now, Chelsea. Enjoy it.

***

Well, there you go. I’m sure I screwed something up in there somewhere, because frankly I didn’t put a tonne of effort into the whole research side of things. So if you don’t feel like cursing about something that happens in one of today’s matches, I suppose you could always curse at me over that. In any case, enjoy the football. Or fear it. Or go spend some time with friends and loved ones if you’re that sort of person.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:Wednesday Internationals Matchday-Like Substance and Open ThreadLooking Ahead at InternationalsFour Weeks for Kuyt; Final Day of InternationalsLooking Ahead for Liverpool’s InternationalsSquad Announced; Fernando Torres Has Been Paying Attention
Category: International Duty, Team News Tags: Argentina, Brazil, Christian Poulsen, Daniel Agger, Danny Wilson, Denmark, Dirk Kuyt, England, Fernando Torres, France, Friendlies, Glen Johnson, International Duty, Lucas Leiva, Netherlands, Pepe Reina, Portugal, Raúl Meireles, Scotland, Spain, Steven Gerrard, Team News
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Friendlies wrap: China, Qatar continue fine form

China won their fourth match from five starts with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Macedonia FYR on Wednesday.

Recent victories over Latvia and Estonia boosted a Chinese side who are preparing in earnest for next month’s Asian Cup.

Midfielder Deng Zhuoxiang scored the game’s only goal with a stoppage time winner from the Shandong Luneng player enough to seal a Chinese victory.

In Wednesday’s other matches, 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar were 2-0 winners over Estonia thanks to goals from Sebastian Soria and Fabio Cesar.

It was another impressive performance from Qatar after their 2-1 defeat of African champions Egypt a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile, Iraq were 1-0 winners over Syria in Damascus.

Salam Shaker’s 87th minute effort was enough to produce a victory for the 2007 Asian Cup winners.

Wed 22 December, 2010

Friendlies wrap: China, Qatar continue fine form

China won their fourth match from five starts with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Macedonia FYR on Wednesday.

Recent victories over Latvia and Estonia boosted a Chinese side who are preparing in earnest for next month’s Asian Cup.

Midfielder Deng Zhuoxiang scored the game’s only goal with a stoppage time winner from the Shandong Luneng player enough to seal a Chinese victory.

In Wednesday’s other matches, 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar were 2-0 winners over Estonia thanks to goals from Sebastian Soria and Fabio Cesar.

It was another impressive performance from Qatar after their 2-1 defeat of African champions Egypt a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile, Iraq were 1-0 winners over Syria in Damascus.

Salam Shaker’s 87th minute effort was enough to produce a victory for the 2007 Asian Cup winners.

Wed 22 December, 2010