Comments on: Solving the mess of international friendlies http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/1880/ Football News Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:17:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Ahmed Bilal http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/1880/#comment-46973 Ahmed Bilal Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:23:37 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/15161880.html#comment-46973 Nig - thanks for dropping by mate :) Nig – thanks for dropping by mate :)

]]> By: Nig http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/1880/#comment-46961 Nig Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:39:47 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/15161880.html#comment-46961 While I agree with some of the ways suggested to improve these pointless fixtures, surely it would be more interesting to work out a way of reducing the number of international games. There are obviously fans who love the chance of seeing England's finest playing Brazil even if it is a friendly, what most fans are getting bored of is the amount of international games against 'lesser' teams. This is not to say that Macedonia shouldn't have the chance to grab a draw against England every now and again, but the weaker teams should be made to play off against each other before the preliminary groups with the bigger teams begin. If the top players played fewer games they might be able to lift themselves a bit more for the showcase friendly games. While I agree with some of the ways suggested to improve these pointless fixtures, surely it would be more interesting to work out a way of reducing the number of international games. There are obviously fans who love the chance of seeing England’s finest playing Brazil even if it is a friendly, what most fans are getting bored of is the amount of international games against ‘lesser’ teams. This is not to say that Macedonia shouldn’t have the chance to grab a draw against England every now and again, but the weaker teams should be made to play off against each other before the preliminary groups with the bigger teams begin. If the top players played fewer games they might be able to lift themselves a bit more for the showcase friendly games.

]]> By: avrv http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/1880/#comment-46895 avrv Mon, 04 Jun 2007 09:09:57 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/15161880.html#comment-46895 What happened with the Tournoi? The same thing that always happens, since Blatter came to power. The same thing that happened with the half-century-old Intercontinental Cup. Blatter, through FIFA, likes to get his slimy hands on everything, they do not like interconfederation competitions to be outside of their direct control. And by doing this he gets his chance to repay the corrupt votes he collects every election from developing countries. Hence we now have the Confederations Cup, and the World Club Cup, and god knows what else he'll come up with in the future. Like I said before, what was suggested, and anything similar, will never happen, especially with Blatter at the helm. And through massive corruption he will not relinquish power until he dies/he hand picks an adequate successor. Hopefully the day will come when FIFA's monopolistic control and abuse of power over football ends. What happened with the Tournoi? The same thing that always happens, since Blatter came to power. The same thing that happened with the half-century-old Intercontinental Cup. Blatter, through FIFA, likes to get his slimy hands on everything, they do not like interconfederation competitions to be outside of their direct control. And by doing this he gets his chance to repay the corrupt votes he collects every election from developing countries. Hence we now have the Confederations Cup, and the World Club Cup, and god knows what else he’ll come up with in the future.

Like I said before, what was suggested, and anything similar, will never happen, especially with Blatter at the helm. And through massive corruption he will not relinquish power until he dies/he hand picks an adequate successor. Hopefully the day will come when FIFA’s monopolistic control and abuse of power over football ends.

]]> By: Wizdomite http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/1880/#comment-46824 Wizdomite Sun, 03 Jun 2007 16:30:52 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/15161880.html#comment-46824 totally forgot about that tournament - that was a brilliant idea. It added extra incentive to the warm up games before the world cup. If a player can prove himself against big teams like that in a semi-compertitve match then there's evidence he might perform on the big stage too. totally forgot about that tournament – that was a brilliant idea. It added extra incentive to the warm up games before the world cup. If a player can prove himself against big teams like that in a semi-compertitve match then there’s evidence he might perform on the big stage too.

]]> By: Richard http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/1880/#comment-46816 Richard Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:23:56 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/15161880.html#comment-46816 Does anybody remember the Tournoi de France in 1997, which featured England, France, Italy and Brazil, as a warm up for the 1998 world cup. The tournament produced some memorable encounters such as a 3-3 draw between Italy and Brazil, and included roberto carlos's famous free kick! I think this is similar to your suggestion, and would make friendlies much more competitive and more exciting for the fans. Furthermore, if younger players and players from lower divisions were to be given a chance in a more competitive game then they will be better prepared when it comes to qualifiers and tournaments. The problem with friendlies are that they are not realistic enough, with inexperienced players having no idea what they are going to face when it comes to the real thing(such as an Argentina team turning on the class at the world cup). Hopefully mini tournaments with the worlds top sides could well eradicate this problem. An excellent post, but i would have to question the idea of prize money and a 50 million sponsorship deal? Does anybody remember the Tournoi de France in 1997, which featured England, France, Italy and Brazil, as a warm up for the 1998 world cup. The tournament produced some memorable encounters such as a 3-3 draw between Italy and Brazil, and included roberto carlos’s famous free kick! I think this is similar to your suggestion, and would make friendlies much more competitive and more exciting for the fans. Furthermore, if younger players and players from lower divisions were to be given a chance in a more competitive game then they will be better prepared when it comes to qualifiers and tournaments. The problem with friendlies are that they are not realistic enough, with inexperienced players having no idea what they are going to face when it comes to the real thing(such as an Argentina team turning on the class at the world cup). Hopefully mini tournaments with the worlds top sides could well eradicate this problem. An excellent post, but i would have to question the idea of prize money and a 50 million sponsorship deal?

]]> By: Wizdomite http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/1880/#comment-46786 Wizdomite Sun, 03 Jun 2007 08:51:43 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/15161880.html#comment-46786 Around 1992/3 I went to the old Wembley to see England vs Brazil - the game was brilliant - atmosphere electric, full of tackles and a bit of samba. Roberto Carlos had loads of hair, and Darren Anderton scored a notable goal from 18 yards out (are you getting the sentiment here??). Eng lost 4-2. The reason why these two teams were playing was because they were in the 'Umbro Cup' which was a four team event including Japan and some other nation - I forget. The point I wanted to make is that for footballing reaons, according to this one isolated tournament - it did the trick for me. HOWEVER, it obviously didnt do the trick for the FA, the sponsors, the TV companies, or the nations who don't take part in these tournaments anymore. Why would the BBC pay extra money to hold onto these 'friendlies', or sponsors shed out millions of quid for a low key event - (because they are a low key product? i.e. with no money and no footfold in commerce?) Plus if there was so much money available to the winners, these tournaments might become arranged against poorer teams to guarentee victory. Young English players already have an international set up for them - its the U21's! If they can't break into the first team on merit, then they probably aren't good enough, and in which case they have club football to showcase their talents to the England manager. All in all, it's the England manager's job to pick the best squad and ensure there's competition for places - which will either make or break the footballing talent of tomorrow. Competition won't apear in friendlies, because of the chance of becoming tired or injured ahead of the competitive games. I thought the article was great, it was really well thought out and had nice ideas, but I think things are better the way they are, even if we do get subjected to boring friendlies. Around 1992/3 I went to the old Wembley to see England vs Brazil – the game was brilliant – atmosphere electric, full of tackles and a bit of samba. Roberto Carlos had loads of hair, and Darren Anderton scored a notable goal from 18 yards out (are you getting the sentiment here??). Eng lost 4-2. The reason why these two teams were playing was because they were in the ‘Umbro Cup’ which was a four team event including Japan and some other nation – I forget.

The point I wanted to make is that for footballing reaons, according to this one isolated tournament – it did the trick for me. HOWEVER, it obviously didnt do the trick for the FA, the sponsors, the TV companies, or the nations who don’t take part in these tournaments anymore. Why would the BBC pay extra money to hold onto these ‘friendlies’, or sponsors shed out millions of quid for a low key event – (because they are a low key product? i.e. with no money and no footfold in commerce?) Plus if there was so much money available to the winners, these tournaments might become arranged against poorer teams to guarentee victory. Young English players already have an international set up for them – its the U21′s! If they can’t break into the first team on merit, then they probably aren’t good enough, and in which case they have club football to showcase their talents to the England manager. All in all, it’s the England manager’s job to pick the best squad and ensure there’s competition for places – which will either make or break the footballing talent of tomorrow. Competition won’t apear in friendlies, because of the chance of becoming tired or injured ahead of the competitive games.

I thought the article was great, it was really well thought out and had nice ideas, but I think things are better the way they are, even if we do get subjected to boring friendlies.

]]> By: avrv http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/1880/#comment-46784 avrv Sun, 03 Jun 2007 08:11:42 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/15161880.html#comment-46784 Will never happen. Emphasis on the -will never happen- Will never happen. Emphasis on the -will never happen-

]]> By: Ahmed Bilal http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/1880/#comment-46782 Ahmed Bilal Sun, 03 Jun 2007 07:24:33 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/15161880.html#comment-46782 I think it's a fantastic idea and with some tweaking (which can only happen during implementation) it can work. Going into the best posts section - good work mate. I think it’s a fantastic idea and with some tweaking (which can only happen during implementation) it can work.

Going into the best posts section – good work mate.

]]> By: Peti http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/1880/#comment-46715 Peti Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:37:24 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/solving-the-mess-of-international-friendlies/15161880.html#comment-46715 So let me get this straight: This proposal 1, takes away the only meaning of friendlies - prepaering for meaningful fixtures. If you can't play your first choice XI, you can't see how in that specific line-up/formation they can play what's the point? 2, assumes that there are corporations, who are willing to sponsor(in the end meaningless) games. There are at least 100 national teams playing friendlies at a time, 5-6 times a year, how do you get anyone to pay 50 million pound each time? In theory this might be a good idea, but basically wouldn't work and wouldn't solve anything. So let me get this straight:
This proposal
1, takes away the only meaning of friendlies – prepaering for meaningful fixtures. If you can’t play your first choice XI, you can’t see how in that specific line-up/formation they can play what’s the point?
2, assumes that there are corporations, who are willing to sponsor(in the end meaningless) games. There are at least 100 national teams playing friendlies at a time, 5-6 times a year, how do you get anyone to pay 50 million pound each time?

In theory this might be a good idea, but basically wouldn’t work and wouldn’t solve anything.

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