Is that from goal.com, zeddie? Please remember to cite sources.

Actually...Dunga's choices have been vindicated so far. He's picking the players to suit his tactics instead of vice versa, and until it flops miserably we can't complain.
While I don't in the least bit mind, them having the rest (it's only a friendly)..it would suck if they weren't called for the World Cup.

So are Brazil still great, I haven't seen them play for a while, should I expect England to get beat badly?

Disagree. IMO players must earn their call ups otherwise it's plain favoritism. Baptista and Robinho are not even playing regularly for their league teams but are called up. and those who are trying hard to be back at the Selecao aren't. how's this fair? I despise Dunga. he's always snubbed Pato.


I hope with all my heart you beat them badly. Dunga shouldn't get away with this one.

So are Brazil still great, I haven't seen them play for a while, should I expect England to get beat badly?

Have you forgotten the days where Brazil were playing like **** and he'd still refuse to play Pato?! I still think he's committing favoritism and I do hope this comes back to haunt him sooner rather than later. Forza England!

England have looked very good in the qualifying stage but this is the first big team you're facing...

Holland? Spain?

I had forgotten you played them but what I meant was that you have not faced a big side in non-friendly matches. Then again this is also a friendly so what I said does not make sense.

You are absoloutely priceless at times.

Dida retired around the same time he was starting to get roundly crucified as the worst GK playing for a top club.

A.C. MILAN: COMUNICATO UFFICIALE
11/11/2009
Oggi pomeriggio Thiago Silva è stato convocato dalla Nazionale Brasiliana per due partite amichevoli contro Inghilterra (14 novembre a Doha, Qatar) e Oman (17 novembre a Muscat, Oman). Il Milan ha deciso di rilasciare il giocatore, aderendo così alla richiesta dei verdeoro, nonostante questa fosse arrivata fuori tempo massimo secondo i Regolamenti della FIFA, alla luce dei buoni rapporti esistenti con la CBF stessa.

Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, who committed suicide on Tuesday evening, had been battling depression and was first treated for the illness in 2003, his widow has revealed.

The 32-year-old Hannover stopper was struck by a regional train travelling between Norddeich and Hanover at a railway crossing in Neustadt am Rubenberge and died at the scene and tributes have poured in for him. Germany have also called off their friendly with Chile in Cologne on Saturday as a mark of respect.

Enke's widow Teresa and his psychologist Dr Valentin Markser appeared at a press conference at Hannover's AWD-Arena to explain the background to his death.

Enke was first treated for depression during his time at Barcelona, for whom he made only one Primera Division appearance. His widow revealed he feared that their adopted daughter Leila would be taken away if the illness became public knowledge.

The couple adopted the eight-month-old in May. They lost their biological daughter Lara in 2006 when she died of a rare heart condition at the age of just two.

''When he was acutely depressive it was a very difficult time because he lacked motivation and any hope of improvement," Teresa Enke said. ''I tried to be there for him, said that football is not everything. There are many beautiful things in life. It is not hopeless. We had Lara, we have Leila. I always wanted to help him to get through it. He didn't want it to come out because of fear. He was scared of losing Leila.

"It is crazy because now it is coming out anyway. We thought we could do everything and we could do it with love but you can't always do it.

''Football was everything. It was his life. The team gave him security. When he started to get better again he said it's so nice to be part of the team again. Training was his security. That he could drive to training every time was the most important thing for him.''

Dr Markser said he had been treating Enke since 2003, during a turbulent time when the goalkeeper had several unsuccessful transfers to clubs in Spain and Turkey.

"I had been treating him since 2003. He suffered from depression and fear of failure," he told reporters. Markser also said the player refused to be treated on the day of his suicide, saying he was feeling well.

I thought Fabio wasn't in the "Let big 4 players rest" camp. Disappointing.

ITALIA (4-2-3-1): De Sanctis, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso, Palombo, Pirlo, Camoranesi, Di Natale, Palladino, Gilardino. (A disp.: Marchetti, Bocchetti, Cassani, Criscito, Legrottaglie, Maggio, Biondini, Candreva, Montolivo, Marchionni, Pazzini, Rossi). All: Marcello Lippi

OLANDA (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg, Heitinga, Boulahrouz, de Jong, van Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, Van der Vaart, Kuyt, Snejider, Robben, Van Persie. (A disp.: Michel Vorm, Piet Velthuizen, Joris Mathijsen, Braafheid, van der Wiel, Giovanni, Khalid, de Zeeuw, Schaars, Afellay, Engelaar, Huntelaar, Elia, Babel). All: Bert van Marwijk

(from mediaset)

Probable lineups for the ITA-NED friendly tomorrow:

And if you'd bother to read before insulting, you'd notice that this thread is also being used to track international friendlies for teams not currently involved in qualification.

Sadly, and to quote the Rolling Stones, we can't always get what we want. Look above and think a bit. I'm sure it'll come to you.

Sergio Zarate (the brother and agent of Lazio's Argentine forward Mauro Zarate) has revealed to Argentine newspaper Ole' today : "Mauro is interested in joining the Italian national team and wants to participate in the 2010 World Cup. He could become an Italian citizen and I have spoken about this matter with an Italian football federation (FIGC) official. We waited for Argentina head coach Diego Maradona to pick Mauro, but time is running out and we might have a chance with the Italian NT".

In the meantime, FIGC chief Giancarlo Abete has told Italian media sources he is stunned by the news and does not know who Sergio Zarate spoke to in the FIGC, while Italy head coach Marcello Lippi has not commented on the subject (although it is highly probable that he is not planning to pick Mauro Zarate for the 2010 World Cup).

tmw

Please god let this happen. We all know Italy could use a good player or two.

Italians, not Argentinians or Brazilians.

Camoranesi is enough, it's the Italian NT, not the Italian citizenship NT.

Don't really think he 'likes' the country. Camo doesn't like the country. He's said it himself, that it's a pure footballing decision.

I'm not much in favour. I don't mind people who've spent the majority of their life in a country representing them. Coz then you have some stake in that country other than just your monthly paycheck. It's another thing when you've just spent the majority of your career there.

Please god let this happen. We all know Italy could use a good player or two.

Italians, not Argentinians or Brazilians.

Camoranesi is enough, it's the Italian NT, not the Italian citizenship NT.

yeah but the majority italian players of this generation are terrible. If we could get Zarate, he would easily be the best player on the team.

Also isn't what your saying a little bit faccist? I mean no offence or anything but in Canada or the USA you would be looked at as a Nazi or something for those remarks.

But staying on thopic...Who cares...he's a good player he likes the country and wants to play for it. Isn't that enough??

Yes but is it fair to say that he should wait until 30 to be eligible to play? I mean if he already has interest in the national team that means he must like the country somehow. I also recall zarate saying he is in love with Lazio and Italy and he never wants to leave.

Italians, not Argentinians or Brazilians.

Camoranesi is enough, it's the Italian NT, not the Italian citizenship NT.

A player doesn't get become good over night. There's a reason he was playing his football in the Middle East and there's a reason he wasn't even good enough for Birmingham. A fluke season, nothing more.

I guess I'd expect more from Brazil-England than a 1-0 dud.

Plus, seriously, Qatar? When was the last time Brazil actually played a friendly on its own turf?

Pro-Cassano pitch invasion
Sunday 15 November, 2009
A pitch invader wearing a shirt calling for Antonio Cassano to earn an Azzurri recall has been arrested.

Just five minutes into last night’s 0-0 draw between Italy and Holland, play was interrupted by a man running on to the field.

He was wearing a shirt that on the front and back read ‘Cassano in the Nazionale’ and quickly gave himself up peacefully to the authorities after he had displayed his message.

Many wondered how he was able to get on to the pitch undisturbed, but it has now emerged the 22-year-old – named only as F.R – was accompanying disabled fans in the Stadio Adriatico.

This meant he had clear access to simply run over the athletics track and reach the field of play.

F.R was arrested and charged with pitch invasion.

His message was shared by others, as throughout the match banners were held aloft in the stadium calling for Sampdoria hero Cassano to take part in the World Cup.

Did anyone notice that last night both Buffon and Casillas made their 100th appearance for their national teams?

I did not, congrats to them both.

I believe as things stand, England are a 1st seed, USA 2nd, Australia 3rd and New Zealand 4th. This group please, it would be awesome.

Is France seeded 2nd? If so I want it in the same group *grins*

Buffon 'amused' by Cassano shirt
Sunday 15 November, 2009
Gianluigi Buffon as “amused” by the pro-Antonio Cassano pitch invasion, but Marcello Lippi took the Arsene Wenger route. “I didn’t see it.”

Just a few minutes into last night’s 0-0 draw with Holland, a spectator ran on to the pitch wearing a Superman shirt that read ‘Cassano in the Nazionale.’

“People should not run on to the field during a game, but it was an amusing gesture and did not cause problems for us,” said the Italy goalkeeper.

“After all, I used to wear the Superman shirt too! The Cassano controversy does not disturb us, but I hope it doesn’t affect you journalists…”

It was the latest excuse for the media to question why the Sampdoria star was not taking part in an Azzurri match.

Coach Lippi has repeatedly refused to even discuss the reasons behind the snub and was not swayed by the pitch invasion.

“At that moment I had taken my glasses off and without them I can’t see anything,” smiled the tactician.

“The crowd were exemplary. I did not hear any jeers or chants against us. You know I never play the role of the monkey who covers his eyes or ears, as when I see or hear something, I do not hesitate to respond.”

Lippi was furious after Italy’s last game, a 3-2 victory over Cyprus, when he slammed the Stadio Tardini crowd for being “ungrateful.”

The match with Holland was not a scintillating performance either, but Buffon isn’t worried.

“The Nazionale did alright, although I don’t think the fans were too entertained. We were facing a very strong Dutch side and I am not worried, as there are another six months until the World Cup. Clearly in South Africa we’ll have to do better.”