2010 FIFA World Cup

[plugwater]

New Zealand 1-1 Slovakia

Winston Reid headed a dramatic injury-time equaliser against Slovakia to earn New Zealand their first ever World Cup point.

Slovakia were on course for a perfect start in their debut World Cup as an independent nation after Robert Vittek's 50th-minute header.

But Vladimir Weiss's side paid for sitting back on their lead when, in the third minute of injury time, Reid rose to head home Shane Smeltz's left-wing cross.

The result in Rustenburg leaves all four teams in Group F on a point each after Italy's draw with Paraguay on Monday.

Perhaps more importantly for the Kiwis, though, it breaks their World Cup duck.

New Zealand's only other appearance in a World Cup finals was in 1982 when they lost to Scotland (5-2), Soviet Union (3-0) and Brazil (4-0).

Their warm-up matches were hardly encouraging either, with a 1-0 win over Serbia the highlight among defeats by Slovenia, Australia and Mexico.

However, skipper Ryan Nelsen promised his team would "make every New Zealander proud" and they were true to the Blackburn defender's word at a far-from-full Bafokeng Stadium.

Middlesbrough striker Chris Killen threatened twice within the first five minutes, first with a long-range effort which flew well over and then with a header, which goalkeeper Jan Mucha gathered at the second attempt.

Slovakia's main threat in the first half, such as it was, was provided by 20-year-old Manchester City winger Vladimir Weiss, as the much-vaunted Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik struggled to impose himself.

Weiss's trickery on the left set up chances for Hamsik, who bent an ambitious shot wide, and Stanislav Sestak, who fired narrowly wide.

Slovakia's best chance of a breakthrough, though, came through New Zealand's nervy keeper Mark Paston.

The Wellington Phoenix player embarrassingly miscued a clearance, gifting Vittek a difficult chance, and was fortunate to see one of his defenders clear when he failed to collect a header across the box.

Paston partly redeemed himself with a smart tip-over from Hamsik's long-range effort shortly before half-time, but within five minutes of the restart, he was beaten.

Slovakia finally found a good delivery from Sestak on the right, the Bochum winger whipping a cross in from deep for Vittek to plant a perfect header into the bottom corner.

New Zealand were rocked, but Slovakia, while looking comfortable in defence, did not seem desperate to press home their superiority.

Their attitude was summed up when more good work from Sestak gave Vittek a chance to wrap it up, but the striker appeared to delay too long, allowing Reid to slide in with an excellent tackle.

And it was Reid who was the New Zealand hero at the other end.

The Kiwis had hardly threatened in the second half, but they saved their best two chances for the dying minutes.

Smeltz, the former Mansfield, AFC Wimbledon and Halifax striker, headed wide from a tempting Tony Lockhead cross before he set up an unlikely equaliser, delivering a perfect ball from the left for Reid to head past Mucha.

The FC Midtjylland defender ripped off his shirt and swung it around his head, prompting the inevitable booking from the referee, but that mattered little as he celebrated a historic goal for his country.

A first World Cup win may prove harder to come by: New Zealand face Italy in their next game on Sunday, when Slovakia will look to make amends against Paraguay.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_12/default.stm

 

[plugwater]

Brazil 2-1 North Korea

Maicon produced a moment of pure Brazilian magic to set the five-time champions on their way to victory in their opening game against North Korea in Johannesburg.

The Brazilians, ranked number one in the Fifa rankings, were expected to cruise past the team in 105th place in their Group G encounter.

But on a difficult evening they had to wait until the 55th minute to break the deadlock as the North Koreans proved more than capable opponents.

It fell to right-back Maicon to settle Brazil's nerves with a goal of typical beauty.

Latching on to a pass down the right from Elano but at a seemingly impossible angle trapped against the byeline, he produced a swerving screamer that bent in with goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk standing a fraction too far off his post.

The goal composed Dunga's previously erratic side and they doubled the lead with 18 minutes left when Robinho slid a fabulous pass in for Elano to slot home from inside the area.

But North Korea gave them a much harder game than they were expecting and Kim Jong-Hun's side got a goal their endeavour deserved when Ji Yun-nam fired in superbly in the closing stages.

Brazil deserved the victory for their dominance in possession, especially in the second half, but North Korea's previously unknown players can hold their heads high after a display full of passion and no little skill either.

In fact, playing their in their first World Cup since 1966, the Chollima - before they tired after the break - threatened to cause an almighty upset.

With star striker Jong Tae-se - who cried during their national anthem - leading the line magnificently, they were giving Brazil as good as they got in a first half that swung from end to end in hugely entertaining fashion.

Indeed as Elano, Robinho and Michel Bastos all sprayed long-range shots wide from outside the box, it was the little-fancied North Koreans who began to test the Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar as they proved that had not come to the World Cup simply to defend.

Jong was causing the usually unflappable Lucio all kinds of problems with his movement and pace and he turned sharply before firing straight at the Brazilian keeper, before Ri Kwang-chon dragged wide from a good position on the edge of the Brazil box after they had failed to clear a corner.

The Brazilians were lethargic, with their best moments coming down the flanks as Maicon on the right and Michel Bastos - who had a 20-yard sizzler deflected over - got forward time and time again to support their struggling team-mates.

As the game wore on there was a sense that a major upset could be in the offing, but Maicon's devilish drifter put paid to that and soon Brazil were controlling the game in the manner with which their World Cup opponents have become accustomed.

Striker Luis Fabiano, without a goal in his last six internationals, was desperate to get on the scoresheet, but he could only turn and blaze over, before Robinho wonderfully found Elano to make the game safe.

Brazil still had a scare when Ji Yun-nam's brilliant first touch controlled a high ball and took him into space in the Brazil box and he made no mistake with an unerring finish past Julio Cesar.

There was no time for them to conjure the most unlikely of all equalisers, but their heroic display finally brought the World Cup to life and warmed the hearts of the crowd on a freezing night at Ellis Park.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_14/default.stm

 

[Yusuf]

Eternal chokers in international football choke again. That too against a team they have never lost to before. Spain o spain o spain. Will they ever do well in world cup??

 

[nrj]

Spain clearly failed in all opportunity it had today. They woke up in the last 10-15 mins. Swiss played fantastic & aggressive. They used every opportunity the had.

 

[plugwater]

Congratulation to Switzerland, Spain lacked penetration and Torres missed lot of chances. Great game after a week long bore fest finally world cup has kick started. Hope this continues.

 

[plugwater]

South Africa 0-3 Uruguay

Uruguay produced an assured performance to beat hosts South Africa in Pretoria and take control of Group A.

The South Americans were much more forward-thinking than during their nervous opening match with France five days ago providing a constant threat to Bafana Bafana's goal while also nullifying the meek attacking threat provided by their overwhelmed opponents.

Diego Forlan capped an impressive performance with two goals - the first a 30-yard deflected strike, the second a well-taken penalty after Luis Suarez had been fouled by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, for which he was red carded - and Alvaro Pereira added a late third.

The victory not only advances Uruguay to four points and to top of the table ahead of their final group game with Mexico, but gives them their first World Cup finals victory since a group stage win over South Korea at Italia 90.

In contrast, this defeat is South Africa's first in 14 matches and leaves them facing an uphill task to secure a place in the last 16.

Prior to the game, both coaches had promised more positive approaches from their sides following conservative showings in their opening games, which yielded them a point a piece, and so it proved in an entertaining match that not only improved on what Group A had offered, but what the tournament on the whole has provided thus far.

Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira kept essentially the same side - Tsepo Masilela replaced Lucas Thwala at left-back - and the same shape from the 1-1 draw with Mexico. Their performance was more in keeping with their passionate second-half display at Soccer City rather than their nervous first 45 minutes, but they were unable to pose enough of a threat to trouble their superior opponents.

Having navigated a tricky opening game against France relatively unscathed and knowing here lay their chance to seize control of Group A, Uruguay opted for a three man strike force, bringing in Edinson Cavani to partner Suarez, with Atletico Madrid's Forlan playing in a withdrawn attacking role.

The former Manchester United striker was the difference - dropping deep to collect possession and influence his side's attacks and providing the moment of individual brilliance that gave Uruguay the lead midway through the first half via a 30-yard dipping shot that found the net via a glancing deflection off Aaron Mokoena.

He also demonstrated an immense level of composure to emphatically hammer his penalty into the roof of the net following a considerable wait while the hosts replaced Khune with substitute keeper Moneeb Josephs.

The 75th-minute penalty prompted a silent, defeated exodus from the stands and when Forlan floated an exquisite pass to Suarez who then crossed for Alvaro Perreira to head home Uruguay's third deep into injury time the stadium was only half full.

For all their disappointment, the partisan home support can have no complaints as Oscar Tabarez's side were dominant. They set out their stall in an opening 10 minutes that saw them create more chances than in the whole of the 90 against the French, with Suarez's shot from a tight angle that flew wide the best of them.

Suarez, who is so prolific in front of goal for club side Ajax, was to squander further chances: hitting the side-netting from a tight angle from 10 yards and also firing straight at keeper Khune from a promising position 20 yards out.

His strike partner Edison Cavani also missed two good opportunities and captain Diego Lugano fluffed a header from a Forlan free-kick early in the second half.

South Africa's chances were significantly fewer but their wastefulness mirrored the worst of their opponents' attempts.

Siphiwe Tshabalala - brim full of confidence after his superb opening goal against the Mexicans - had two good shooting chances in the opening quarter but the first he fired over from 25 yards and the second he badly misjudged with an attempted chip when Steven Pienaar was perhaps better placed to receive a pass.

Katlego Mphela, who was denied giving his side a win against Mexico by a post late on - missed the target with a close range header in each half.

South Africa now face a final group game against France without suspended keeper Khune, midfielder Dikgachoi, who picked up a second yellow of the tournament, and with only slim hopes of qualifying.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_17/default.stm

nice

 

[plugwater]

Spain 0-1 Switzerland

World Cup favourites Spain suffered a shock defeat by Switzerland as South Africa 2010 served up its first major upset.

The European champions from Spain enjoyed almost total control of the game in Durban but were wasteful in front of goal and went behind after 52 minutes when a long ball found its way through to Gelson Fernandes, who bundled it into the net.

With Barcelona trio David Villa, Andres Iniesta and Xavi unable to conjure a breakthrough, coach Vicente Del Bosque threw on Fernando Torres, Jesus Navas and Pedro, but to no avail as the Spanish slumped to only their second defeat in 49 games.

The result piles pressure on Spain, who were widely-tipped to finally end decades of underachievement on the game's biggest stage and Del Bosque's men could now be forced to face Brazil in the second round if they finish Group H as runners-up. Chile beat Honduras 1-0 in the earlier match.

For the unfancied Swiss, it was a historic first victory over the Spanish and another triumph in the glittering career of their German coach Ottmar Hitzveld.

Del Bosque's men had quickly settled into their rhythmic short passing game and, with Switzerland struggling to get the ball out of their own half, the match came to resemble a training session.

The first real opening fell to Spain right-back Sergio Ramos, who received the ball in space on the right before dragging his shot wastefully wide, much to the anger of his better-placed team-mates Xavi and David Villa.

Moments later, Iniesta slipped a pass through to Gerard Pique, who cut inside his man before firing straight at goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.

The next attack saw David Silva chip a delightful ball over the Switzerland defence for Iniesta, who was brought down on the edge of the area as he tried to get his shot away. Villa fired the resultant free-kick straight at the wall.

The Swiss were forced into a change midway through the half when former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos limped off with a foot injury and was replaced by Steve Von Bergen.

Lone striker Villa looked skilful and lively, but when he finally found space in the box, he opted to pass, and chipped tamely across the face of goal.

The second half began in a similar vein until the Swiss took the lead with the first real attack of the game.

A long goal-kick was flicked through to Eren Derdiyok, who bundled it past goalkeeper Iker Casillas and the falling Pique to leave former Manchester City midfielder Fernandes with a simple finish.

Spain, who won all 10 of their World Cup qualifiers, looked visibly shaken and Del Bosque responded by sending on Torres and Navas just after the hour mark.

Iniesta and Torres both curled shots wide before former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso almost broke the crossbar with a stunning strike from just outside the area.

With Spain committing more men forward, the game became stretched and Switzerland came within a whisker of taking a 2-0 lead when Derdiyok cut inside Pique and Carles Puyol before flicking a shot which had Casillas beaten but bounced back off the post.

The last 10 minutes were a predictable Spanish onslaught but, with Torres looking rusty on his return from knee surgery, Spain seemed to run out of ideas as their efforts became increasingly desperate.

As it was, Switzerland held firm for a truly memorable victory - their first in a World Cup opener since 1954.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_16/default.stm

 

[plugwater]

How to get Americans to watch Football during 2010 FIFA World Cup

 

[plugwater]

Top 10 Infamous World Cup Quotes

10) England To Rule The World – The Sun

When England were eliminated on penalties by West Germany in the semi-final of Italia '90, The Sun newspaper was so enthusiastic about the country's future that they boldly printed the following:

"Around Gazza [Paul Gascoigne] and his young gang we can build a team to rule the world. Four years on, remember you read it first in the Sun!"

England failed to qualify for USA '94, and not a single one of the 23-man squad from Italia '90 would play in another World Cup.

9) Jack Charlton's Egyptian Slur

Following the goalless draw with Egypt in the group stages of Italia '90, Ireland's manager – the 1966 World Cup-winning former England defender Jack Charlton – was asked which of the Egyptian players had caught his eye.

"I couldn't tell you. I don't know any of their names," Big Jack said.

"There was the guy with the beard, the dark lad in midfield, the little dark lad who played centre midfield, the very coloured boy, and the boy who played up front."

8) Gaucci Sacks Ahn Jung-Hwan

In the aftermath of South Korea's infamous second round win over Italy at the 2002 World Cup, Perugia's loopy president Luciano Gaucci sacked Ahn Jung-Hwan, who had scored the Golden Goal to knock the Azzurri out. Gaucci would later reverse his decision.

"That gentleman will never set foot in Perugia again," boomed Gaucci.

"He was a phenomenon only when he played against Italy.

"I am a nationalist and I regard such behaviour not only as an affront to Italian pride but also an offence to a country which two years ago opened its doors to him.

"I have no intention of paying a salary to someone who has ruined Italian soccer."

7) Sir Alf Ramsey: Argentine Animals

After England's controversial 1-0 win over 10-man Argentina in the 1966 quarter-final, where the South Americans' skipper Antonio Rattin had been sent off for "violence of the tongue", Three Lions manager Sir Alf Ramsey let rip at the opposition with comments that were viewed as racist in Argentina.

"We have still to produce our best, and this is not possible until we meet the right sort of opponents, and that is a team that comes out to play football and not act as animals," sniped Ramsey.

Post match statistics showed that Argentina had committed only 19 fouls in the game, to England's 33, while the referee spoke no Spanish so could not have understood what Rattin said to him.

6) Ron Atkinson & Cameroon Trees

Former Manchester United and Aston Villa manager Ron Atkinson has been disgraced and ostracised in the United Kingdom following a racist comment directed at ex-Chelsea star Marcel Desailly a few years ago.

In 1990 while commentating on England's quarter final against Cameroon, Big Ron also uttered some controversial comments - only that time he escaped without punishment.

Atkinson first described a Cameroon player as "absolutely brainless", then added off-air: "I'll only get into trouble if his mother's back home watching the game sitting up a tree."

5) Homosexual Braids – Nigeria

In response to Taribo West's extravagant braids at the 1998 World Cup, Nigeria culture minister Otumba Runshewe described the hairstyle as "homosexual".

"Our youths copy our footballers, but the players seem to forget that braids embrace a sense of homosexuality in the developing world. We certainly don't want that," roared Runshewe.

4) Van Hanegem's German Hatred

Dutch legend Willem van Hanegem epitomised the rivalry between the Netherlands and [West] Germany probably more than any other player over the past 60 years. Van Hanegem had lost his father, two brothers and a sister during World War II, two of them as a direct hit from German bombing raids on the Netherlands.

Prior to the 1974 World Cup final between the two countries, van Hanegem ordered his team-mates to "stuff the Germans" while after the 2-1 defeat he tearfully stated: "I didn't give a damn as long as we humiliated them. They murdered my father, sister and two brothers. I am full of angst. I hate them."

3) Diego Maradona's Falklands Revenge

Argentina's 2-1 quarter-final win over England in 1986 is as renowned for Maradona's 'Goal of the Century' as it is for the 'Hand of God' opener when Diego fisted the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

After the match, Maradona explained that the victory was revenge for the Falklands War four years earlier that had resulted in the deaths of more than 600 Argentines.

"[The goal was scored] a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God," said the Napoli hero.

"Although we had said before the game that football had nothing to do with the Malvinas war, we knew they had killed a lot of Argentine boys there, killed them like little birds. And this was revenge."

2) Santiago Full Of Prostitutes

'The Battle of Santiago' between 1962 World Cup hosts Chile and Italy is recognised as the most brutal football game of all time. The Azzurri had two men sent off before half time, forward Humberto Maschio had his nose broken by Leonel Sanchez, Georgio Ferrini had to be dragged off the pitch by policemen, while the game won 2-0 by Chile was filled with misconduct and vicious foul-play.

Tensions had been high going into the game after two Italian journalists, whose work was distorted and edited by the local press, wrote offensive articles about the hosting country.

"Santiago is the sad symbol of one of the world's most underdeveloped places, distressed by all possible ills: malnutrition, prostitution, illiteracy, alcoholism, poverty," read one of the pieces by Corrado Pizzinelli.

"Entire neighbourhoods are dominated by prostitution. Santiago is a poverty-stricken dump full of loose women."

1) Bjorg Lillelien: Maggie Thatcher, Can You Hear Me?

After Norway defeated England 2-1 in a 1982 World Cup qualifier, the Norwegian commentator failed to control his delight and went absolutely berserk with one of the most famous rants of all time.

"We are the best in the world! We are the best in the world! We have beaten England 2-1 in football!! It is completely unbelievable! We have beaten England! England, birthplace of giants. Lord Nelson, Lord Beaverbrook, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden, Clement Attlee, Henry Cooper, Lady Diana--we have beaten them all. We have beaten them all. Maggie Thatcher can you hear me?"

"Maggie Thatcher, I have a message for you in the middle of the election campaign. I have a message for you: We have knocked England out of the football World Cup. Maggie Thatcher, as they say in your language in the boxing bars around Madison Square Garden in New York: Your boys took a hell of a beating! Your boys took a hell of a beating!"

 

[plugwater]

Argentina 4-1 South Korea

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_18/default.stm

France 0-2 Mexico

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_20/default.stm

Greece 2-1 Nigeria

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_19/default.stm

 

[plugwater]

Tom Cruise Cameron Diaz Soccer on set of Knight & Day

 

[ajtr]

Machine-made balls cause serious dent to Sialkot football industry​

The penetration of machine-made balls in the international market has caused a serious dent to the Sialkot hand-made soccer industry as the country's manufacturers grabbed only 30 per cent of the total orders floated globally for the FIFA World Cup, starting from Friday in South Africa. "In the past we have been contributing millions of dollars to the national kitty by exporting footballs but our share in the international market has registered a significant decline, mainly due to the use of machine-made balls for the main events," Chairman Pakistan Sports Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PSGMEA) Zia-ur-Rehman told APP on phone.

New players in the international market, particularly China, India, Japan and Thailand have posed a real challenge to Pakistan football industry. "Lack of modern technology is the main factor in tilting the balance against the local industry," Zia asserted.

Only a few years ago around 70 per cent of world soccer balls were prepared in Sialkot and the country on average was exporting 40 million balls worth 210 million dollars produced annually by some 60,000 highly skilled labours. "But for this world cup we have exported around 3.5 million balls worth 5.2 million dollars. Our balls will be offside at the mega event as these will only be used for training and promotional purposes," Zia said

 

[plugwater]

Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, South Korea advance to last 16. Uruguay will face South Korea and Argentina will face Mexico in the Round of 16.

 

[plugwater]

The French surrendered early, the USA turned up late, and England are left to fight the Germans.

Heard that before somewhere ?

 

[johnee]

The French surrendered early, the USA turned up late, and England are left to fight the Germans.

Heard that before somewhere ?

FIFA: World At War??!!

 

[plugwater]

FIFA: World At War??!!

Yes Johnee. This is what the world cup is all about. ((Uruguay v South Korea) v (USA v Ghana)) on one side and will probably meet Brazil in semis, so Brazil has the easiest way to reach the final and the other side has all football power house ((Argentina v Mexico) v (England v Germany)). Its going to be epic.

 

[plugwater]

Defending Champion Italy Eliminated

The worst Azzurri I have encountered in my life time, no ideas, no pride and a lack of technical ability!
I am very disappointed that Italy finished bottom of the group. This squad is a joke when you consider Lippi left out the likes of Cassano, Miccoli, Borriello, Rossi and Aquilani! Lippi came into this tournament not knowing his best team or what formation to play! He also decided last minute to lower the average age of the squad by introducing youngsters who had barely 3 caps to their name and had no involvement in the qualifying campaign and thus had no competitive experience! Add to the mix the 2006 veterans who are way past their best, it was always going to be a recipe for disaster!
However, the Italian FA have taken a positive step in taking the Azzurri forward and are demanding a youthful side by appointing Cesare Prandelli, a Manager who has a proven record of bring the best out of the youngsters. This is an exciting time as it finally looks like the starlets who have blossomed under Italy's hugely successful U21 system will finally get their chance to shine at senior level... Fingers crossed.
Players I would like to see in a fresh faced Azzurri would be the likes of Cassano, Miccoli, Borriello, Rossi, Giovinco, Ballotelli, Aquilani, Nocerino, Cigarini and Motta combined with the freshly capped players of this current squad.
This is the sort of squad that should have been assembled 2 years ago at the Euro Championships which would have been ready to compete at this World Cup, but no point dwelling on what if's, time to regroup and bring the pride back.

Forza Italia!

 

[plugwater]

Current status

 

[plugwater]

Some brilliant reaction to Landon Donovan Last minute winner against Algeria.


Only football can generate such emotions.

 

[plugwater]