members of the Ironbound Express were asked to predict the winner of the 2010 South African World Cup
With the FIFA World Cup beginning this weekend, members of the Ironbound Express were asked to predict the winner of the 2010 South African World Cup. While most of the players are from the United States, neither picked their home country to win the cup.
Former Long Island University forward and Ridgewood, N.Y. native, Frank Alesci chose Spain as his choice to win the cup because they are coming off a great Euro Cup and have the best depth that can carry them late into a contest. Joining Alesci on the Spanish bandwagon is head coach George Vichniakov. The coach picked Spain because they have great players and easily defeated Poland last week, 6-0.
Staying in Europe, Express forward and Scandinavian John Sallhag chose England because they have a great team with great players include Wayne Rooney. However, Sallhag joined a majority of the group saying “England is a great team, but Argentina is the team to beat.”
Staying to his Arabic roots, Flushing, N.Y. native, Mohammed Mashriqi chose Algeria as the team to beat in the 32-team tournament. The former United States U-14 member did not mind that Algeria will be without captain Yazid Mansouri for the first game.
Heading to South America, many of the players and even assistant coach Lucio Russo felt the Argentinean squad was the best. Joining coach Russo on the Argentinean selection was former St. Peter’s College star and Kibbutz Maabarot, Israel native, Assaf Sheleg.
In an interesting pick, Kaze Etiene from Cameroon, Africa, chose Lionel Messi and Argentina because of their explosive scoring.
Rounding out the predictions is the team from Brazil. The next home of the World Cup in 2014, the Green and Yellow are supported by both Ironbound Express goalies Ryan Meara and Michael Drozd due to the top goalie in the tournament Julio Cesar. Add Ironbound Express General Manager Gali Maimon to the list of Brazilian fans for the cup and It was an easy choice for Brazilian Renan Rodrigues, who was decked out in Brazilian attire prior to the team’s 5-0 victory over Bermuda on Thursday evening.
Out of the nine players asked for their predictions, reigning World Cup champions Italy were left in the dust. Also left high and dry was 2006 Cup finalist France along with powerhouse Germany. Assistant General Manager and Operations Director Eric Maimon took northern Europe favorite the Netherlands as his choice for Cup champs, as the Dutch will feature Arsenal forward Robin van Persie.
The Ironbound Express will have a month to bite their nails as the 2010 FIFA World Cup takes place, but Express fans will have two more opportunities to catch one of the hottest and most diverse teams in the Premier Development League on June 30th and July 7th against the New Jersey Rangers and Reading United AC respectively, at Lubetkin Field at NJIT.
