After last season's 'on/off' confusion around the competition matches in the Far East - ending up in a late mixture of friendlies in and around Germany - there is a report that we've made early plans to head to Bryan's country : "The team Rican Bryan Ruiz, Fulham FC, come to the country next June to 3 teams face Costa Rica, where one of them is already defined, this part of their pre-season. The English reserved 3 dates at the National Stadium and one of the parties is already defined when Fulham play against Saprissa, meanwhile, with the other 2 teams are in negotiation." Source: http://yashinquesada.com/index.php/legionarios/1470-fulham-vendra-en-junio-al-pais-y-ya-tiene-a-su-primer-rival-el-saprissa Not sure about the accuracy of this and the timing would seem strange. I would have expected the players to be given 3 weeks holiday and then re-group (along with our new signings of course) for a tour in July. It may be a money thing though and indeed a short tour may be planned with later friendlies, much the same as last year, being used to gel the new group.
Or perhaps it was going to be South Africa, but then again perhaps not - "A FOUR-TEAM tournament involving English club Fulham and Portuguese giants Benfica, which was scheduled for Bloemfontein next month, has been cancelled because of the sub-standard pitch at the Free State Stadium. An advance party from the London-based Premier League club, who travelled to inspect the venue and other facilities in the Free State capital, turned down the venue because of the patchy field, officials explained last night." Source: http://www.sportlive.co.za/soccer/sa/2013/05/28/bad-pitch-so-no-fulham-or-benfica As ever with the Club no official information. They must know that details will get out so what's wrong with keeping us fans up-to-date even if the original plans fall through?
The latest story is that we are scheduled for Costa Rica, but it is in July. " Red made ​​it clear they hope to hold the event on the weekend of July 20 at the National Stadium , but did not disclose further details. " It's almost ready, it's a fact that Fulham will come, the match against Saprissa would be the weekend of July 20 at the National Stadium. Besides Fulham will play two games against teams ticos ", told this newspaper. Similarly, the president of the Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, Raul Pinto, confirmed that manudos are one of the teams that will play against the Premier League side." Here is a link to the full story: http://www.aldia.cr/futbol-costa-rica/saprissa/Saprissa-confirma-Fulham-Mauricio-Castillo_0_146385385.html
The Costa Rican tour has been confirmed please log in to view this image "Fulham Football Club is delighted to confirm that its First Team squad will be travelling to Costa Rica on a pre-season tour ahead of the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League campaign. Martin Jol's men will play three teams from the Primera División de Costa Rica at the Estadio Nacional, the countryâs national stadium, on 14th, 17th and 20th July. Fulhamâs first fixture will take place on Sunday 14th July against last seasonâs Primera División runners-up C.S. Cartaginés. This will be followed by fixtures against L.D. Alajuelense on Wednesday 17th July and Deportivo Saprissa S.A.D. on Saturday 20th July."
One for Fulhaman please log in to view this image "The Club can confirm the following First Team friendly fixture ahead of the 2013/14 campaign: Fulham FC v Real Betis Fulham FCâs First Team will play Real Betis in a pre-season friendly at Craven Cottage on Monday 5th August (8pm kick-off)."
And another decent fixture has been announced - this one for Dempsey's Revenge please log in to view this image " The Club can confirm the following First Team friendly fixture ahead of the 2013/14 campaign: Werder Bremen v Fulham FC Fulham FCâs First Team will play Werder Bremen in a pre-season friendly at the Weser-Stadion on Sunday 28th July (kick-off 3pm CEST)."
As Fulham head out to Costa Rica for their first friendly match this Sunday, the Costa Rican national team have headed to the States to take part in the COCACAF Gold Cup. This tournament started last Sunday and runs for most of July. Costa Rica are in Group C, along with USA, Cuba and Bellize. Their first match is today/tomorrow depending whose clock you are on. However, it appears that Bryan Ruiz is not in the national squad. please log in to view this image âWith a FIFA ranking 48, Costa Rica has set themselves for 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. They are in group C and they have to fight against United States(USA), Belize and Cuba. The Costa Rica national football team has declared their best 23-mens squad for this CONCACAF Gold Cup.â Costa Rica Squad for 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto Goal Keeper: Patrick Pemberton, Leonel Moreira, Luis Torres Defender: Jhonny Acosta, Michael Umaña, Juan Diego Madrigal, Carlos Johnson, Christopher Meneses, Junior DÃaz, Roy Miller Mid-fielder: Giancarlo González, Osvaldo RodrÃguez, Esteban Granados, Ariel RodrÃguez, Michael Barrantes, Yeltsin Tejeda, Rodney Wallace, Mauricio Castillo Forward: Celso Borges, Kenny Cunningham, Ãlvaro SaborÃo, Yendrick Ruiz, Jairo Arrieta Source: http://www.concacafgoldcup2013.com/2013/07/jorge-luis-pinto-declared-23-mens-costa.html Have to say it would have seemed a bit daft Fulham going all that way to play friendlies, and presumably to drum up some South American interest, without Bryan in the team. If correct that he's not with the National lot, then it's good news for us though. A) because he always gets injured in their games and B) because it gives Jol a chance to work on those combinations that troubled him all of last season.
And Bryan has been given the No.10 shirt, according to his website: "Bryan Ruiz was grateful for the designation awarded Fulham coach Martin Jol T-shirt "10" for the 2013-2014 season, because it is a significant number and that he likes, however the player tico ensures that dorsal not do no more, no less, because the responsibility is always the highest. "It's a number I like, I used it at FC Twente and I use it in the selection. Now there is an opportunity at Fulham. It is often said that it is a big responsibility, I like the number" Bryan's website link: http://www.bryanruizcr.com/es/noticia/bryan-recibe-la-10-en-el-fulham-video/ Hope that means Kaca will get Bryan's 'old' No. 11.
Thanks Cottager. Real Betis. I shall go and give some stick to the Betico's being a Sevillista myself. Wonder if I could get in wearing my Sevilla top?
Tonight's starting line-up: Stockdale; Riether, Senderos, Hughes, Riise; Duff, Karagounis, Sidwell, Na Bangna; Kasami; Berbatov Interested to hear how Mesca and Kasami get on.
Thanks Bidley. Obviously will be all change at half time but really good to see the pair getting a chance to prove themselves.
I was going to be a tad unkind to Kasami at half time, but that was a tremendous bit of football and awareness for our first goal. Surprised he didn't take the penalty for our second, but how cool was that by Berba? The opposition are not too brilliant but thought we showed a fair bit of sharpness, given it's a friendly, first game and all that. Mesca looks as though he's got a good turn of pace and a good brain. Our weekness is where I guess most expected - in midfield. Roll on the second half - quite enjoying the game so far.
Why be unkind to kasami? I thought he was brilliant. David also looked a good player but i was disappointed with Hugo, he can do everything to get into good scoring positions BUT shoot.
Before the pass to Berba, was he really? He didn't seem to know what his correct position was. Anyway, pleased to see him in the squad getting a chance. Loads of changes second half. Boateng looked the real deal. And the other two newcomers did fine; Good save by Stecky (and I’ll assume his first minute scuff was a wee aboration); Amore was sturdy and looked nippy. The youngster I’d missed as having gone on the tour , Lasse Vigen Christensen, was okay coming on for Riether at right back. Lassse played there for the U21s in later games last season even though he’s normally midfield - can’t quite imagine he’ll be the normal cover for Riether however. Chris David subbed Sidwell (who I was surprised to see start the second half) and looked ‘mucho’ better. And well done Bryan for taking his goal well - won’t do his Costa Rican fan club status any harm. Poor old Rodders though, nothing decent to him all half until …. Oh well, it was the first game. All in all, good run out. The most pleasing thing was just that - everyone seemed full of running, although just occasionally it might have been more productive if someone could have put their foot on the ball. Thanks for the link, nick. I really enjoyed it. COYW
The only problem with Boateng and Amore was that they looked like Red cards waiting to happen. They mistimed many tackles and seemed to lack sharpness although Boateng did look like he had a reliable pass on him and he made a couple good interceptions. Amorebieta didn't have much to do apart from shielding the ball out of play but it only took him 17 mins to kick someone in the face.
