Draw has taken place

1

Disappointed Bandage didn’t post live updates for the big draw in the Peace Cup today.

Anyway:

Group 1:
Bolton (England)
Sungnam Ilhwa (South Korea)
Chivas Guadalajara (Mexico)
Udinese (Italy)

Group 2:
Reading (England)
River Plate (Argentina)
Shimizu S-Pulse (Japan)
Lyon (France)

Matches to take place in South Korea in July. I think Bolton will be happy enough with their draw.

2

You won’t believe this but I had just gone onto the BBC site to copy and paste the draw.

Just didn’t have my finger on the (Shimizu S-)Pulse.

The Mexicans won’t be happy.

3

I’d say Chivas thought they’d seen the back of Borgetti when Santos Laguna sold him to Bolton. Little did they know what a twist of fate would materialise in the Peace Cup draw.

4

Who do you fancy to make the last 4?

I think Sungnam Ilhwa will benefit from home advantage Udinese should take advantage of the uncertainty arising out of Allardyce’s departure from Bolton.

In Group B I’m fairly confident that Reading and River Plate will be too strong so we should have two cracking semi finals. If the games are anything like the Spurs/River Plate game from 2005 then we’re all in for a treat.

Really can’t wait for this now.

5

Agreed on Sungnam Ilhwa but not on Udinese. Fancy dan Italians versus Sammy Lee’s men - no contest. I think I’m going to back Wanderers to go all the way. Big Sam is a huge loss but if Bolton bring any sort of atmosphere and spirit of the Reebok with them then they’ll cruise to the semi-finals.

In Group 2 Reading and River Plate is about as close to a sure thing as you can get in the Peace Cup. Lyon minus Houllier will be weakened and Shimizu S-Pulse won’t be helped by hostile crowds.

Prediction is Reading v Bolton (what a cracker that will be. Scotty Brown will be fuming) followed by River Plate v Ilhawa. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

6

Reading are out!!! Who’d have thought it. What a tournament this is turning out to be.

7

A forum member, cesc4, is going over to London for Arsenal’s pre-season tournament, The Emirates Cup. I couldn’t believe it. It’s a pre-season kick about for fook sake!