Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Some Decent Friendlies Set For June

The Socceroos have set up two mouth watering friendlies after the European season finishes up. On June 2nd, Australia will host Uruguay at Sydney's Telstra Stadium. Four days later, Argentina will visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Look for both of these games to be picked up by a U.S. broadcaster. If they aren't shown live, expect to see them on tape delay, most likely on Telemundo.

Since the European seasons will have concluded by then, and with Australia preparing for the Asian Cup, I would expect all three countries to field their strongest sides.

Qantas Socceroos to play rematch against Uruguay [Football Federation Australia official site]
Australia to play Argentina in Melbourne [Football Federation Australia official site]

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Here's what I'll have my eye on through Saturday:

Today
Brazil v. Portugal
3pm ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel
If there's any diving in this one, I get the feeling that the offending party will understand what his opponents will have to say about it.

Wednesday
France v. Argentina
2:55pm ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
If it lives up to expectations, could be the best game of the week.

England v. Spain
3pm ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel
I'll watch it, but I'd be surprised if it's a good game.

United States v. Mexico
9pm ET, LIVE
ESPN2
With the match not starting until 9:25pm ET, stay away from this one until kickoff unless you want to be subjected to Stone, Wynalda, and Arena's "keys to the game."

Saturday
VfB Stuttgart v. Werder Bremen
9:25am ET, LIVE
GolTV
Another top team for Bremen in the span of two weeks.

Newcastle United v. Liverpool
9:55am ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
The best match of the week in England, look for Newcastle to bounce back after their loss to Fulham last week.

Real Betis v. Sevilla
4pm ET, LIVE
GolTV
The Seville derby, enough said.

Banfield v. Boca Juniors
7pmET, LIVE
TyC Sports USA
The Argentine Clausura kicks off with the "just-not-quite" team of the Apertura season facing off against Banfield. Both teams start the campaign with new bosses, Boca with Velez Sarsfield's ex, Miguel Angel Russo, and Banfield with ex-international Patricio Hernandez.

Pachuca vs Necaxa
8pm ET, LIVE
FOX Sports en Espanol
The most attractive match in Mexico this week. I still like Necaxa to win it all.

As always, check your local listings for dates and times in your area.

-ac

2 comments:

Linda said...

Oh God, Argentina coming to Australia? How tempting. It's only 4 hours of plane travel away...

soccermad said...

Starting saving, who knows if you'll get another chance to see them play live. Hey, isn't that what credit cards are for?

-ac