Qualification to WC 2006 - African [ Scores Inside ]

[UhUhOleguer]

That's a freaking shame!!! Cameroon was put in the most difficult group and South Africa had it rather easy..but still they failed.

I'm sorry for Samuel...I know how much his national side means to him. It's a shame not seeing him at the world cup.

And it's a bigger shame seeing useless asian teams there, instead of Cameroon and Nigeria, who were usually always good for some fresh football and are full of thrilling players.

If it wasn't for Eto'o though, I might have rooted for Elephants instead too. Dindane and Kalou are great players. I'm specially happy for Kalou, because the guy is a freaking genius and a joy to watch. Cote D'Ivoire could become the Senegal of 2006.

 

[Handoyo]

And it's a bigger shame seeing useless asian teams there, instead of Cameroon and Nigeria, who were usually always good for some fresh football and are full of thrilling players.

What exactly do you mean by that? Cameroon and Nigeria failed to qualify because they weren't good enough. It's as simple as that. The Asians deserve their own spot in the World Cup and those who qualified deserved it because they have a good qualifying campaign.

Yes, Asians will not win the World Cup in the near future but nor will African teams!

 

[UhUhOleguer]

And it's a bigger shame seeing useless asian teams there, instead of Cameroon and Nigeria, who were usually always good for some fresh football and are full of thrilling players.

What exactly do you mean by that? Cameroon and Nigeria failed to qualify because they weren't good enough. It's as simple as that. The Asians deserve their own spot in the World Cup and those who qualified deserved it because they have a good qualifying campaign.

Yes, Asians will not win the World Cup in the near future but nor will African teams!

well..I see it a bit different. Ok, South Korea and Japan are really good teams and although they had a hard time going through qualifiers(because they did just what they had to do), they are probably the only two semi-decent asian teams.
Saudi Arabia though should have another 2002 nightmare coming. I don't see their team making it anywhere. Same as Iran, who with the exception of 4 players, on whom the whole game is based, have little to offer football wise. The further thing is that African teams usually go out to play football and play with fire, while a lot of Asian teams are out for not loosing too high. And further, quality wise and player wise you can't really compare Asian teams with Africans. And with all due respect, neither Uzbekistan nor Bahrein have anything lost at the world cup.

Look, as said, I'm Iranian myself and was happy to see Iran at the World Cup. Looking at it from a neutral point though, I would prefer much more to see Moustapha Hadji, Samuel Eto'o, Womé, JayJay, Oba etc. at the world cup, than let's say Nekounam and Hashemian(Mahdavikia and Karimi would be the only iranian players one could pay for).

 

[Ziyad]

Well every team has to start somewhere...Some countries might not go to win the whole thing but the experience they have greatly helps them in the future..

This is the WC so its not just about European and Central American countries,its nice to see different countries do well and play with a different style.Plus out of all these so called weak countries one underdog will emerge to suprise..

 

[Handoyo]

well..I see it a bit different. Ok, South Korea and Japan are really good teams and although they had a hard time going through qualifiers(because they did just what they had to do), they are probably the only two semi-decent asian teams.
Saudi Arabia though should have another 2002 nightmare coming. I don't see their team making it anywhere. Same as Iran, who with the exception of 4 players, on whom the whole game is based, have little to offer football wise. The further thing is that African teams usually go out to play football and play with fire, while a lot of Asian teams are out for not loosing too high. And further, quality wise and player wise you can't really compare Asian teams with Africans. And with all due respect, neither Uzbekistan nor Bahrein have anything lost at the world cup.

Look, as said, I'm Iranian myself and was happy to see Iran at the World Cup. Looking at it from a neutral point though, I would prefer much more to see Moustapha Hadji, Samuel Eto'o, Womé, JayJay, Oba etc. at the world cup, than let's say Nekounam and Hashemian(Mahdavikia and Karimi would be the only iranian players one could pay for).

Yes, I do prefer seeing the Martinses and Eto'os in the World Cup but I disagree with you when you describe the Asian teams as "useless" and that their qualifications were a "shame".

Unless some of them qualify in a Juve way, there is nothing shameful about that and it is to early to say that they will be useless. South Korea has discovered 2 very good players in Park Ji Sung and Lee Pyung Yeo (Spelling?) and they could cause problems even for the big teams, just like in World Cup 2002 but in a more legitimate way.

 

[UhUhOleguer]

well..I see it a bit different. Ok, South Korea and Japan are really good teams and although they had a hard time going through qualifiers(because they did just what they had to do), they are probably the only two semi-decent asian teams.
Saudi Arabia though should have another 2002 nightmare coming. I don't see their team making it anywhere. Same as Iran, who with the exception of 4 players, on whom the whole game is based, have little to offer football wise. The further thing is that African teams usually go out to play football and play with fire, while a lot of Asian teams are out for not loosing too high. And further, quality wise and player wise you can't really compare Asian teams with Africans. And with all due respect, neither Uzbekistan nor Bahrein have anything lost at the world cup.

Look, as said, I'm Iranian myself and was happy to see Iran at the World Cup. Looking at it from a neutral point though, I would prefer much more to see Moustapha Hadji, Samuel Eto'o, Womé, JayJay, Oba etc. at the world cup, than let's say Nekounam and Hashemian(Mahdavikia and Karimi would be the only iranian players one could pay for).

Yes, I do prefer seeing the Martinses and Eto'os in the World Cup but I disagree with you when you describe the Asian teams as "useless" and that their qualifications were a "shame".

Unless some of them qualify in a Juve way, there is nothing shameful about that and it is to early to say that they will be useless. South Korea has discovered 2 very good players in Park Ji Sung and Lee Pyung Yeo (Spelling?) and they could cause problems even for the big teams, just like in World Cup 2002 but in a more legitimate way.

ok..maybe I was a bit too harsh or I was misunderstood.

my point was rather that it's a shame great players like Eto'o, jayjay, Cordoba etc. will probably sit out, but instead we will have the "joy" of watching Hubail(no offense to him actually..he is not even that bad, but I can't name currently no other bahreini player by name), Daei, and Sami Al-Jakesh play.

 

[Handoyo]

Alright man.

I thought you are one of those clueless non-Asians who think that Asians are being included in the World Cup just for the sake of publications and marketing purposes. Clearly, I was fortunately mistaken.


Handyo

 

[Ziyad]

U had to name a Bahraini player??? I hope your not bitter still about that game with Iran...

BTW even though, they arent were they were in the Asian Cup but I would like it if a small country like Bahrain went into the WC (still long way for them) and does well...Thats a success story in itself for a country of 650,000ppl only.You never know maybe that helps them get stronger and you know that will reflect on the Asian teams quality eventually if there were stronger countries competing.

 

[shahz_nerazzurri]

saudi arabia always manages to impress on the asian scene, they just defeated the korean team home & away in the qualifiers. unfortunately they never manage to do anything in the WC. But the asians teams r on a rise, u cannot say that the likes of cameeron, nigeria & senegal r better than Japan & korea. Hitoshi Nakata, nakamura, park, Y.P.lee, sami-al-jaber- muhammad-al-dae- ALi karimi r all very dangerous and very good asian players. And asia had a better WC 2002 than africa, True u would argue that the WC was in asia & that the refree's had favoured S.korea unlimited times, but still. Africa has 6 WC spots & asia has 4, and i think thats the way it shoud be

 

[UhUhOleguer]

U had to name a Bahraini player??? I hope your not bitter still about that game with Iran...

BTW even though, they arent were they were in the Asian Cup but I would like it if a small country like Bahrain went into the WC (still long way for them) and does well...Thats a success story in itself for a country of 650,000ppl only.You never know maybe that helps them get stronger and you know that will reflect on the Asian teams quality eventually if there were stronger countries competing.

in 2001?? hm...actually I forgot about it and was over it after a while. I'm usually pissed that they taunt and cause stress to Mehdi and cuss at him. I don't really mind them cussing at Daei though, cause he deserves it.

But to be honest, after the Bahrein game Iran's NT wasn't the same anymore to me, because I felt really effed over.
Yeah well, Tuvalu making it to the world cup would also be a success story, but we both agree that they have lost nothing there, don't we?

 

[Stefan]

That is soo selfish...Just imagine you were in his position.

I cant believe Cameroon and Nigeria wont be there..I guess if you overcame them and their stars you deserve to be in the WC.I am glad Tunisia made it but sad for Morocco too.

I would retired from international football the moment I broke into the inter team so I wouldn't have been in that situation.

 

[Cro Nerazzurro]

I never saw him play, but this guy will make angola's history

mantorrrrrrrrrrrras

 

[brehme1989]

Wasn't he the striker of Benfica that was out for like 2 years on injury?

 

[Handoyo]

Wasn't he the striker of Benfica that was out for like 2 years on injury?

Yes, he is. I haven't heard of him since.


Handyo

 

[Hammoudi]

Sami Al-Jakesh play.

sami-al-jaber- muhammad-al-dae-

Hmm, it's good that you guys at least know this piece of crap. Sami Al-Jaber is the most hated player in Saudi soccer history. The only people that love him is supporters of his own club, and those in charge of the NT.

He is supposed to be a striker, but he doesn't score more than 7-8 goals in the league at most. And I really don't remember the last time he won the scoring record, I think it was in 93 or something.

He is there because the FA suck up to his club. Everyone in SA wish that he gets injured before the WC so he won't start. All the fans there know him as "Center 9" because he broke the world record by centering the ball 9 times in that game against Germany! Only reason he is there is to be known as one of the few players to play in 4 consecutive WC. I hope to God that doesn't happen.

Same for Al-Deayee, who was a great goalie, and won the U-17 WC with Saudi in 89. However, he is way way passed it, he doesn't even star for his own club. Nonetheless, expect him to start in the WC. And that's because he plays in the same club as Al-Jaber. Also, they want him to break the world record in international games. They don't care about the NT, they just want their club to include 'world-reputation' players.

So there you have it, some of the reasons the Saudi NT may again embarass itself. Unless a miracle happens, and only the best players are selected.

 

[shahz_nerazzurri]

Hamed, this is actually the first time I have heared anyone say this. I dont know wether you r a saudi or not, but i have lived in Riyadh for most of my life, and Sami-al-jabar is a total icon there, he is like the david beckham of saudia. Everywhere you go, you will see his posters everywhere, on ads of pepsi & stuf.

When ever saudia wins a game, you can wild saudi's in their mercedes driving round the city at 120KPH with pictures of this guy hanging from there car.!! I dont know about the saudi league, since it is not that popular, but he has always managed to impress in the international arena. If I m not wrong, I think he retired from international football after WC 2002, but after the asia cup 2004 debacle, he was called back to the team to help them qualify for this WC. And I really think that Saudia can surprise a few in the next WC, with the likes of Zahawiri & jabbar in their attack

 

[Hammoudi]

I was born and lived there, but not in Riyadh. Riyadh is where his club is, and all his fans are. If you go outside Riyadh, everybody despises him to the core man.

Also, it depends where you lived in Riyadh. The city is equally divided between Hilal and Nassr supporters, the first half loves him, while the second wishes him early retirement.

About the media, they over-glorify him. Some of the stuff they say about him is wild. They keep saying that he is wanted by a host of EPL teams, but he wants to stay and help his team. And the media there is typical 3-world media, so neutrality and professionalsim isn't something they know.

A real Saudi icon is Majed Abdallah. I don't know if you know him, but the guy is respected in Saudi Arabia and all the arab world. He was named 3 best player in Asia in the last century, and was leading the all-time international caps count when it first came in 94. Sadly, he retired about 6 years ago, but he helped the NT qualify for their first WC ever.

Ask any non-Hilal supporter about Sami, and chances are he hates him. And after the WC02 fiasco, he had to retire or the NT would've faced the wrath of the people. But they had it planned all along, they slowly introduced him back.

 

[UhUhOleguer]

interesting..I didn't know this about Al-Jabber.
Btw. Al-Jakesh is what iranians call him. You might ask ashkan what it means..
But I have to say he usually did pretty fine against us(hence the name) but I didn't know he was that unpopular.
Interesting to know..

same is in Iran with Ali Daei though and a bunch of other players part of his clan apparently. I think Daei will go down in history as the least favourite captain of all time.
Usually captains of football teams are heroes...but he ain't. he is really despised..

 

[Hammoudi]

But Daei is respectful towards opponents. Al-Jaber isn't, I think Ziyad may remember a game against Bahrain (it could've been Qatar) where Al-Jaber went and insulted the fans and almost caused a brawl. All that with him being a captain.

There is also a famous clip where he lashed as his club's coach. He subbed him once, and then when leaving, he turned to him, and said "Good Good Mr. Balcci the Animal!" and it was all caught in tape. It was comic!!!

I don't know if you remember the other player, Majed Abdallah (he was black), whom I think did better against Iran than Al-Jaber. Do you remember Asian Cup 88 in Qatar, where Iran won all games and didn't even surrender one goal. They had an amazing GK called Ahmed Reza Alizadeh.

In the semi-final against SA, he only conceded the only goal in the tournament and it was a fine goal by Majed. He also did well against Iran in the Asian cup of 84 in Singapore, and did amazing in the final, scoring a Maradona-like goal against China.

 

[Interforeva]

I was so shocked to see that Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal failed to qualify for the World cup, but I guess it will give new teams like the Ivory Coast a chance to make their mark and perform well on the world stage. Hopefully this will strengthen African football and add a bit more spice to the Nations cup. I am sure that teams like Nigeria and players like Oba will want to prove a point in January.