Friendly Update

As in an update on International Friendlies...But still friendly...

Provisional rosters for World Cup teams started being announced in early May. Final rosters are not due until early June but exhibition matches have started with teams looking to both warm up for Brazil and finalize rosters in some cases.

Below are a list of friendlies which have taken place so far. I've provided my insight but in typically for games such as these, results are completely irrelevant. If a powerhouse team ties someone they shouldn't then so be it. If they tie/lose to 5 teams and blow up internally like France did in 2010, then that's a different story.

May 13, 2014

Germany 0-0 Poland

Including substitutes, maybe 2 Germans that saw the field will actually see any action in Brazil.  Out-shot, out-possessed and out-played a Polish team that was missing several stars as well. Next.

May 17, 2014

Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador

The first game between two teams that will feature in Brazil and with some semblance of a starting lineup. A game dominated by Netherlands in every way except the final score, and with only half of a starting lineup against what is close to the Ecuadoran 'A' team. Escaping with a draw against the 2010 finalist will please Ecuador who are likely the weakest South American team in the tournament. Hard to tell what this means for the Dutch as this was in the centre of the whole van Gaal to Manchester United saga. They'll be happy to see Robin van Persie score though after being plagued by injuries in the second half of the Premier League season.

May 18, 2014

Iran 0-0 Belarus

Happened a month out from the tournament but not a strong start for Iran. Belarus were dismal in qualifying, drawing with them will hardly give Iran confidence. Iran has a weak friendly schedule ahead which can be a blessing in allowing them to figure out their problems or leave them wildly unprepared for Nigeria in 3 weeks.

Future Games

I'll recap the finished games tomorrow but friendly action picks up greatly today with the following games:

Australia 1-1 South Africa
Russia 1-0 Slovakia
Iran vs. Montenegro
Cameroon vs. Macedonia
Belgium vs. Luxembourg

For the rest of May:

May 27:

Japan vs. Cyprus
France vs. Norway
USA vs. Azerbaijan

May 28:

South Korea vs. Tunisia
Nigeria vs. Scotland
Mexico vs. Israel

May 29:

Cameroon vs. Paraguay
Honduras vs. Turkey

May 30: 

Bosnia/Herzegovina vs. Ivory Coast
Iran vs. Lyon
Switzerland vs. Jamaica
England vs. Peru
Spain vs. Bolivia
Uruguay vs. Northern Ireland
Chile vs. Egypt
Honduras vs. Israel

May 31st:

Colombia vs. Senegal
Algeria vs. Armenia
Russia vs. Norway
Croatia vs. Mali
Netherlands vs. Ghana
Portugal vs. Greece
Italy vs. Ireland
Mexico vs. Ecuador