international footie weekend preview

happy friday to yous alls!

fun weekend for footie: club action in the big european leagues is suspended for friendlies and World Cup Qualifiers! the 4 big’uns:

France-Ireland (World Cup Qualifier): the first game of a 2-game series takes place tomorrow in Ireland. France’s manager Raymond Domenech added drama to this game by calling Ireland “an England B team,” which isnt too smart considering the team has talents like John O’Shea, Shay Given, and cap’n Robbie Keane. France will be boasting an attack of Thierry Henry, Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery, and will be looking to shake the underachieving that has dogged them through qualifying. If France comes to play they win, but if their game isn’t tight, Ireland has the tools to taken them down to chinatown.  Saturday @ 3PM, Setanta PPV

Egypt-Algeria (World Cup Qualifier). Nothing like some international beefing to add flavor to a matchup, and this one has plenty. Egypt, the defending African Cup of Nations champ (’08),  is in qualifying trouble and needs to win by 2 goals to force a playoff for one of Africa’s final qualifying spots. The Algerian team bus was attacked by crazed Egyptians, and it is causing a bit of an international incident. NOT televised.

Brazil-England (friendly). The country that invented footie vs. the country that claims to have perfected it. Enough said. Saturday at Noon on Fox Soccer Channel.

Argentina-Spain (friendly).  Argentina looks to pull it’s sheitzer together versus and thorough and thoroughly well-organized Spain. Let’s see if magic man Leo Messi can do on the international stage what he does in La Liga…goal.com preview here. Saturday at 4PM on ESPN Deportes.

Will post TV times as I track them down! Enjoy the weekend!

juanpecan