What: International Friendly
Who: Ukraine vs Poland
When: Wednesday 20 August 18:00 CET
Where: Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany

Ukraine Preparing For Tough World Cup Group

After qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, their first-ever major international tournament as an independent nation, Ukraine were unable to build on that by also making it to Euro 2008. It must be said, however, that they found themselves in what became known as the Group of Death, which included World Cup finalists Italy and France, as well as a solid Scotland side.

Now the team coached by Alexei Mikhailichenko, who took over from Oleg Blokhin at the start of the year, prepare to face the World Cup qualifying round, and once again the odds seem to be against them. They have been drawn in Group 6 along with Fabio Capello’s new England side and Slaven Bilic’s impressive Croatia team, who came within seconds of making it to the Euro 2008 semifinals.

It is very likely that it will be a three-horse race to make it to the finals from this group, as the other teams, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Andorra don’t look like they will pose a threat. In any event, one would still bet on England and Croatia finishing in the top two.

Once again Ukraine will rely heavily on captain Andriy Shevchenko, who always gives everything when playing for his country, even though at club level he has been on a steady decline ever since joining Chelsea in 2006. However, also the likes of midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and striker Andriy Voronin are experienced international players from top-drawer clubs (Uefa Cup winners Zenit St. Petersburg and Liverpool respectively).

Against Leo Beenhakker’s Poland, who impressed during the qualifying round for Euro 2008, it looks set to be an interesting and, on paper, evenly-matched encounter.

Poland Out To Forget Euro Disappointment

After they finished ahead of Portugal in their Euro 2008 qualifying group and becoming the first Polish team ever to make it to a European championship finals, many expected coach Leo Beenhakker’s side to do well at the tournament. But the finals at Switzerland and Austria turned out to be a big disappointment, as they could only manage a draw against Austria (1-1), and lost to both Germany (2-0) and Croatia (1-0).

Still, the Dutch coach had built up enough of a reputation to avoid the sack, and will lead the Eastern Europeans through their World Cup qualifying group as well. A group that on paper looks less daunting than Ukraine’s, as they have been drawn with a declining Czech Republic side, who were dumped out of Euro 2008 at the group stage by Turkey, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and San Marino.

There doesn’t seem to be one or more clear favorites to make it out of this group, unlike in Ukraine’s group, so Poland are definitely in with a good chance of reaching South Africa 2010. Among their most talented players are goalkeeper Artur Boruc of Celtic, who had a fine tournament at Euro 2008, midfielder Jacek Krzynowek of Wolfsburg, and striker Ebi Smolarek of Real Santander.

An interesting aspect of this game is that we will see the two joint-hosts of Euro 2012 in action. For both sides, what happens in the next two years will be very important for their reputation and morale leading up to the 2012 tournament, in which they will certainly hope to do better than this year’s co-hosts Austria and Switzerland, who both crashed out at the group stage.

FORM GUIDE

Ukraine

01/06 (Friendly): Sweden-Ukraine 0-1
24/05 (Friendly): Holland-Ukraine 3-0
26/03 (Friendly): Ukraine-Serbia 2-0
06/02 (Friendly): Cyprus-Ukraine 1-1
21/11 (Euro 2008 qualifier): Ukraine-France 2-2

Poland

16/06 (Euro 2008): Poland-Croatia 0-1
12/06 (Euro 2008): Austria-Poland 1-1
08/06 (Euro 2008): Germany-Poland 2-0
01/06 (Friendly): Poland-Denmark 1-1
27/05 (Friendly): Albania-Poland 0-1

TEAM NEWS

Ukraine

Goalkeeper Vyacheslav Kernozenko and defender Andriy Nesmachniy will be out due to injury.

Possible formation (4-4-2): Shovkovskiy; Shevchuk, Rusol, Mandzyuk, Kucher; Kalynychenko, Tymoschuk, Nazarenko, Levchenko; Voronin, Shevchenko.

Poland

No injury worries for Beenhakker.

Possible formation (4-5-1): Boruc; Wasilewski, Jop, Bak, Zewlakow; Smolarek, Dudka, Guerreiro, Lewandowski, Krzynowek; Saganowski.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)

The former Milan star will lead his team out once again and the striker will be looking to score and get a morale boost ahead of the new season with Chelsea. Currently coach Luiz Felipe Scolari doesn’t seem to consider him a first choice, but a striker of Shevchenko’s class can always fight his way back into any team.

Artur Boruc (Poland)

The Celtic goalkeeper has been at the center of a number of transfer rumours, but in the end it seems the 28-year-old will stay in Scotland. He probably would have favored a move to Milan, who have been following the player ever since he gave an extraordinary performance against them in a last 16 Champions League match in the 2006/2007 season, but it seems only a matter of time before he earns a move to a big club.

PREDICTION

The 2012 co-hosts have had differing fortunes of late, but home advantage should allow Ukraine to share the spoils despite some tough times.

Ukraine-Poland 1-1

Ref From Danilo Pochini - goal.com

What: International Friendly
Who: Portugal (FIFA ranked 9) vs Faroe Islands (FIFA ranked 196)
When: Wednesday, 20th August 2008, 21:45 CET
Where: Estádio Municipal de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

Portugal come into this game on the back of a disappointing Euro 2008 campaign, while the Faroe Islands will be hoping to get the most out of this match.

New Portugal Era

The end of Euro 2008 brought a major change to the Portuguese national squad: former Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz was installed as coach, replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari, who had signed for Chelsea prior to the competition.

This is the second stint of Queiroz at the helm of Portugal after an unsuccessful experience that ended in 1994 when he failed to take the team to the FIFA World Cup in the United States.

Queiroz is now hoping for better fortunes and has selected a 22-man squad for this friendly match with several surprises.

Several big-names have been left out of this match, such as Ricardo Quaresma, Ricardo, or Maniche. Portugal’s goal should be defended by Benfica custodian Quim, who missed Euro 2008 after sustaining a wrist injury.

The new Portugal boss also decided to not include hot prospects such as Miguel Veloso or Rui Patrício, both from Sporting, in his plans for this friendly.

Portugal have a lot to prove after a disappointing Euro 2008 campaign and Queiroz will have the difficult task of making his men forget Scolari, who was in charge for five years and took the squad to a second-place finish at Euro 2004 and a fourth-place finish at the World Cup two years later.

This will be a very important task for Queiroz ahead of the start of the 2010 World Cup qualifying, where Portugal will have to come up against the likes of Sweden and Denmark.

Faroese Dream

The Faroe Islands, coached by Jógvan Martin Olsen, should play a very defensive game, hoping to break Portugal down through counter-attack.

They finished rock-bottom of their group at the Euro 2008 qualifying without a single point and a -39 goal difference. This time around Faroe Islands were drawn in Group 7 of the World Cup qualifying and will have to play the likes of France and Romania.

This will be an important test for Olsen’s men against a squad that feature better and more experienced players, which is why the Faroe Islands are expected to pose little threat to the Portuguese side.

FORM GUIDE

Portugal

19/06/08 Portugal 2-3 Germany (Euro 2008)
15/06/08 Portugal 0-2 Switzerland (Euro 2008)
11/06/08 Portugal 3-1 Czech Republic (Euro 2008)
07/06/08 Portugal 2-0 Turkey (Euro 2008)
31/05/08 Portugal 2-0 Georgia (Friendly)

Faroe Islands

04/06/08 Faroe Islands 3-4 Estonia (Friendly)
16/03/08 Faroe Islands 0-3 Iceland (Friendly)
21/11/07 Faroe Islands 1-3 Italy (Euro 2008 Qualifier)
17/10/07 Faroe Islands 0-5 Ukraine (Euro 2008 Qualifier)
13/10/07 Faroe Islands 0-6 Iceland (Euro 2008 Qualifier)

TEAM NEWS

Portugal

Coach Carlos Queiroz will have to come up with an alternative to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been a crucial piece for Portugal but will miss this game due to injury.
Eduardo and Danny will have the chance to earn their first international cap for Portugal’s main squad. Carlos Martins, Manuel Fernandes, Antunes, Duda and Daniel Fernandes all make their return to the squad.

Squad

Quim, Eduardo, Daniel Fernandes, Bosingwa  Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Fernando Meira, Pepe, Antunes, Miguel, Deco, Raúl Meireles, Duda, Carlos Martins, João Moutinho, Manuel Fernandes, Simão Sabrosa , Nani, Danny, Nuno Gomes, Hugo Almeida.

Faroe Islands

Coach Jógvan Martin Olsen is without veteran defender Óli Johannesen, who has over 80 caps for his national squad.

Squad

Jákup Mikkelsen, Rene Tórgarð, Jónas Þór Næs, Jóhan Troest Davidsen, Egil á Bø, Fróði Benjaminsen, Leif Niclasen, Einar Hansen, Høgni Madsen, Atli Danielsen, Mikkjal Thomassen, Chr. Høgni Jacobsen, Andreas Lava Olsen, Jákup á Borg, Símun Samuelsen, Christian Lamhauge Holst, Arnbjørn Hansen, Rógvi Jacobsen.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portugal - Deco: With Cristiano Ronaldo out of this match, the Brazilian-born midfielder is expected to command the team and guide it to victory. The former Barça star pulled out a magical performance in his official debut for Chelsea and great things are expected from him under Carlos Queiroz.

Faroe Islands - Rógvi Jacobsen: The Faroese midfielder has 50 international caps to his name and is the squad’s top goal-scorer so he will be a player Queiroz will have to look out for.

PREDICTION

This should be a walk in the park for Portugal, who need to earn a boost ahead of the opening World Cup 2010 qualifying against Malta in September. The Faroe Islands are anything but a big gun and should found themselves lost amidst the Portuguese creativity.

Portugal 3-0 Faroe Islands

Ref From Luís Mira - goal.com

What: International Friendly

Who: England versus Czech Republic

When: Wednesday 20th August, 20:00 (GMT)

Where: Wembley, London

INTRODUCTION

An interesting encounter for two managers both considered rookies on the international scene. Fabio Capello has the benefit of overseeing proceedings on four previous England games, whereas Petr Rada takes the ‘Cecho’ reins for the first time.

Capello and Rada are provided with just 90 more pitch minutes - this is the last scheduled friendly in the international calender - before they embark on their separate World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Three Lions Must Roar

Wembley will be willing the national side on but an air of apprehension will no doubt encircle SW1. Since the humiliating humbling they received from Slaven Bilic’s efficient Croatian display, England have played with the heartache that fans have felt from watching mediocrity after mediocrity. They can’t keep drawing on the 5-1 German thrashing six years ago for comfort. From game to game though this year, there have been improvements.

The first match of the Italian technician’s tenure saw him pitted against Switzerland. About twenty minutes of good passing movement was the only positive to take from the game, that and the result.  Against the French in their Parisian backyard, they were just as uninspiring.

Against the USA, England started to find their stride. Still far from world-beating, but at least they began to control games. Whenever David Beckham plays, the England turn into the international version of Aston Villa - the majority of their goals arriving from set play - but is that an advantage or a disadvantage? If the team wins, surely it can only be beneficial.

Then against Trinidad and Tobago, there was a gulf in class. Despite a three-nil victory, England were capable of more, and probably could have gone on to net a few more times. It will take a while for Fabio Capello to get the team to come to terms with his strategies and tactics. But with the World Cup qualifying round looming, time is no longer a luxury Capello can afford.

Wayne Rooney has been told by managers at both club and country to be more selfish, to not help out his midfield as much, and to concentrate more in the final third. If he has taken this constructive criticism on board, England will play with more fluency. If Rooney plays well, England will play well. He can be the heartbeat. The only thing he has to keep on watching is his temperament. Opposing teams know they can rile him up, but a recently launched FA scheme - focusing on respect - starting this season, hopefully controlling his passion through the right channels will play on his mind.

John Terry has been named full-time captain, again. Hardly a surprising choice. He is the most vocal, a natural leader, and past blemishes aside, he does embody the traditional English ethic of work hard, never stay down, give 110 per cent.

This week Joe Cole stressed the need of a good start. He said all the players would walk through brick walls to pull on the white shirt of the Three Lions. Fabio Capello also mentioned that the English were technically comparable to the European Champions, Spain. As a cynic it appears this was said with the intention of appeasing certain English fans. It’s time for the Fabio Capello, and every member of that squad to do their talking on their pitch, because all they’re doing at the moment is blowing hot air.

Czech Mate

By their own standards the Czech Republic underperformed at this years European Championship. So like England, they will be carrying heartache, the only difference being England have had a bit of time to get over it. The game against the Turks was one of the matches of the tournament. Turkey looked all but out, the manner of their comeback was superb, but the Czech’s must have felt robbed of their passage through to the knockout stages. Petr Cech looked worse off, he was uncharacteristically at fault for his nation’s shortcomings.

Further bad news for the eastern Europeans is the news that they will be Koller-less. The tall targetman, Czech Republic’s highest goal-scorer, has bowed out of the international scene having retired after the summer’s competition. Libor Sionko will also be missed as a leg injury rules him out. Tomas Rosicky too will not be on the name sheet, but his exclusion won’t surprise Arsenal fans, who are used to the attack-minded midfielder’s absence.

A stubborn defence awaits England. Zdenek Grygera, Tomas Ujfalusi, and Marek Jankulovski wear the club colour’s of some of Europe’s heavyweight sides, kitting out for Juventus, Athletico Madrid, and AC Milan, respectively.

Vaclav Sverkos has been called up, who may be remembered for scoring Czech Republic’s only winning goal of Euro 2008, against the Swiss in their opening game.

FORM GUIDE

England

21-11-2007 versus Croatia LOST 3-2 (H) Euro 2008 Qualifier

06-02-2008 versus Switzerland WON 2-1 (H) Friendly

26-03-2008 versus France LOST 1-0 (A) Friendly

28-05-2008 versus USA WON 2-0 (H) Friendly

01-06-2008 versus Trinidad & Tobago WON 3-0 (A) Friendly

Czech Republic

27-05-2008 versus Lithuania WON 2-0 (H) Friendly

30-05-2008 versus Scotland WON 3-1 (H) Friendly

07-06-2008 versus Switzerland WON 1-0 (A) Euro 2008

11-06-2008 versus Portugal LOST 3-1(N) Euro 2008

15-06-2008 versus Turkey LOST 3-2 (N) Euro 2008

TEAM NEWS

England

Peter Crouch is a notable absentee, deemed not worthy of a place perhaps due to not being a prominent member of the Liverpool line-up last year. Emile Heskey, who was an ever-present for Wigan Athletic, is instead favoured. Jonathan Woodgate may not feature - long-term fitness issued cited as his exclusion from training on Monday. Michael Carrick was in the original squad but has since been replaced with Jermain Jenas. Paul Robinson makes a return, as does Jermain Defoe.

Squad

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers), Joe Hart (Manchester City).

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermain Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur) Joe Cole (Chelsea) David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).

Strikers: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic).

Possible Starting XI: James, Brown, Ferdinand, Terry, Cole, Beckham, Gerrard, Barry, Lampard, Cole, Rooney.

Czech Republic

Reading midfielder Marek Matejovsky has been ruled out of this fixture. He picked up an ankle inury during Reading’s tie with Nottingham Forest last weekend. Former Arsenal striker Papadopoulos may feature. Tomas Rosicky and Libor Sionko have not been called up due to injuries, whereas Jan Koller has stayed with his club. Czech Republic will forever have to make do without Tomas Galasek and Jaromir Blazek, because the pair both retired from international football following the Czech’s exit from Euro 2008.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech (Chelsea), Daniel Zitka (Anderlecht).

Defenders: Zdenek Grygera (Juventus), Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan), Michal Kadlec (Sparta Praha), Zdenek Pospech (FC Kobenhavn), David Rozehnal (Lazio), Tomas Ujfalusi (Atletico Madrid).

Midfielders: David Jarolim (Hamburg), Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moskva), Marek Matejovsky (Reading), Jaroslav Plasil (Osasuna), Jan Polak (Anderlecht), Stanislav Vlcek (Anderlecht), Jan Rajnoch (Mlada Boleslav), Radek Sirl (Zenit St. Petersburg).

Strikers:Milan Baros (Olympique Lyonnais), Michal Papadopulos (Mlada Boleslav), Vaclav Sverkos (Banik Ostrava).

Possible Starting XI: Cech, Grygera, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi, Jankulovski, Jarolim, Vlcek, Kovac, Plasil, Polak, Baros.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

England

Recently criticised for helping out his team too much, Wayne Rooney has been told by both club and country managers that he needs to be more selfish and focus on his goalscoring game. He is England’s best player, and when on form he makes the three lions tick. Providing he gets the right service, and doesn’t try to come back into midfield to do things himself, then he will be a handful for the Czech defence.

Czech Republic

Like Emile Heskey, Milan Baros is far from a prolific goal-scorer in club football, but like his English counterpart he makes a nuisance of himself in the oppostion half that his team-mates feed off. He won a penalty against Manchester United in the quarter final of the FA Cup for Portsmouth earlier in the year, and also fed Nwankwo Kanu a fine pass that the Nigerian duly slotted home in the Semi. Without his contributions in their cup charge, Portsmouth may not be playing European football this year. England will have to be on guard.

PREDICTION

England 1-1 Czech Republic

Ref From Alan Dawson - goal.com