Photo Release -- Rugby World Cup 2011 Countdown Commences

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 9, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today the International Rugby Board (IRB) and Heineken launch the Rugby World Cup Tour presented by Heineken. The Tour marks the countdown to the Rugby World Cup (RWC) tournament, which kicks off in 365 days in New Zealand.

The Webb Ellis Cup begins its journey from Eden Park stadium in Auckland, New Zealand in the presence of Rugby legend Taine Randell, former captain of New Zealand's national rugby team, Bernard Lapasset, IRB Chairman, and Hans Erik Tuijt, Heineken International.

Taine Randell, "Holding the Cup is every rugby fan's dream. I am pleased that Heineken will take the Cup on their Tour around the world, and I'm very excited that, as the official Ambassador of the Tour in New Zealand, I will be joining the Cup on its Tour here!"

Bernard Lapasset stated, "It's my pleasure to hand our long-term partner Heineken the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup to take it on the first ever worldwide tour for the next 12 months. I am sure Heineken will create excitement amongst rugby fans on all continents, enabling them to get up close and personal to the Cup. New Zealand hosted the first RWC in 1987 and it is ready to welcome the world once more for RWC 2011!"

Heineken's Hans Erik Tuijt said, "We will be taking the Cup around the globe, travelling from New Zealand to Ireland and from Argentina to South Africa. Through the Tour we aim to encourage more people than ever to follow the event when it starts in September 2011."

The Webb Ellis Cup is awarded to the winning nation at each tournament. New Zealand was first to hold the cup in 1987. Australia won twice (1991 and 1999), as did South Africa (1995 and 2007) and England once (2003).

The Cup commences its tour on 24th September. For more information please visit the special RWC Tour section on the Heineken Facebook page, to be launched on 15th September 2010.

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All Black Juggernaut Gathers Momentum WORLD CUP CENTRE

John Kirwan and myself were in Johannesburg last week promoting the 2011 Rugby World Cup for the New Zealand Government.

Talk about pushing against an open door - that must have been one of the easiest jobs I've ever had.

The deep passion that South Africans have for rugby was abundantly evident and we were staggered by how much air-time we were given on radio stations, TV shows and in newspapers.

We talked rugby morning, noon and night with just about everyone we met.

We both left with the indelible impression that South Africans are as passionate as anyone about rugby, New Zealand included.

We agreed that, whether we were there promoting it or not, come 2011, South Africans will be on the planes to New Zealand to cheer on the Boks.

JK has been back to South Africa only a few times since we had toured together there in 1992, and not only was he amazed at the political and social transformation that has taken place, he was also surprised that, as I mentioned last week, people really did come up to me and say "Fitzpatrick, it is nice to meet you and I have always wanted to say this: I hate you!"

It really is a thoroughly enjoyable rivalry, one we should nurture and treasure.

The game itself was a cracker. The most important perspective of the game from an All Black point of view was the fact that we didn't give up.

Those last 10 minutes were in stark contrast to the last 10 minutes in Cardiff against France in 2007. It was a huge win - exactly what we needed as we move towards next year.

Graham Henry has been picking his best team for the whole Tri Nations and that has given us continuity, momentum and a calm confidence under fire that allowed us to stay focused and deliver a win at the death.

It really was great stuff, and while he may use the autumn internationals to fill some gaps and cover key positions, Henry has clearly changed his approach.

He's a smart man. The game has evolved and he has developed the All Blacks to capitalise on the changes. The Springboks, by comparison, looked jaded and outdated.

Certainly the coaching team and senior players all know where they're going and what they're trying to do, and the whole group is gelling nicely.

We were staying at the same hotel as the All Black squad in the run-up to the game and meeting them at the various functions, seeing them around the hotel and chatting to them made me feel very proud.

They are a bunch of really nice guys; friendly, professional, disciplined, charming, and more - you just wouldn't want to meet them on the field ...

Physically, they're in great shape. They are well conditioned, strong and focused. I hadn't really appreciated where they're at mentally, but spending time in their company this week, I was highly impressed.

Richie McCaw carries himself wonderfully in his role as captain.

He blends a polite, humble approach with steely determination and absolute clarity on his team's mission.

The question of course remains. Will we, as many (mainly Northern Hemisphere) pundits predict, choke when it comes to the main event?

Time will tell, but you can take it from me as someone who knows when a team is feeling right that this group of All Blacks is drawing together, and becoming more than the sum of its parts.

I recognised that quiet, focused determination that is permeating the whole set-up.

The few days with the team reminded me how it felt to be part of an All Black side that was moving towards full ramming speed.

It was energising and exciting to be so close to it again.

Of course it is way too early to be clearing a space on the mantelpiece but, I tell you what, we're absolutely right where we need to be at the moment in terms of team development.

I wouldn't change a thing.

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Bok strategy for 2011 RWC World Cup Centre

The Rugby World Cup bug is starting to bite. Yes it’s a year away, but already the “gees” is starting to brew deep down in the soul.

The Springboks have not had the greatest of seasons this year, so far at least, but we’ll always be a top 3 rugby nation so I’ll remain optimistic that by this time next year, our rugby woes will be a thing of the past and that we’ll be back to our winning best, ready to challenge the world and defend our Rugby World Champions’ status.

I’d like to propose something to SA Rugby, and our coach Peter De Villiers. In 2006, the Boks’ season was a disaster. But a year later, the Bulls and Sharks played in the Super14 final (sorry Sharks supporters for reminding you about that day), and Jake White, thinking ahead to the Rugby World Cup, rested key players during the subsequent Tri-Nations series. In short, the plan worked beautifully. The Springboks were fresh, exuberant and clinical as they smashed their way through the RWC tournament and were finally crowned World Champions.

We need a similar approach during the early part of next year’s season.

We should play all our players to get them contact fit and match ready through the 2011 Super15. Our mid-year tests should allow all of our thirty chosen players to get some game time, proving old and new combinations.

For the Tri-Nations however, I’d like to suggest that we play our best fifteen, only twice, those occasions being our opening two games against Australia (in Australia on the 23rd July), and New Zealand (in New Zealand on the 30th July).

I propose this for three reasons. Firstly, the 2011 RWC is being played on foreign soil, so we need the momentum of winning away from home with our best team. Secondly, our best fifteen need to be a settled outfit, with all combinations working. Lastly, injuries and possible match bans for offences committed during the Tri-Nations would seriously hurt our chances that close to the RWC tournament.

Let’s give our best fifteen a month’s rest, and enough weeks for any match bans to be exhausted. Also, our “B-team” would be given additional game time and another chance to show their mettle, as they compete for any remaining positions in the Bok squad.

On a final note, I’d like to wish the Springboks all the best for tomorrow’s huge clash at FNB Soccer City (just sounds better than FNB stadium). With almost 90 000 people, the game is going to be massive. I’ll be there with the rest of the screaming hordes, experiencing what’s likely to be an emotional and historic clash between the powerhouses of world rugby.

GO BOKS!

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Italy target Ireland & Australia at RWC 2011 World Cup Centre 2011

Italy's coach Nick Mallet says that he is aiming for Italy to reach their first ever Rugby World cup Quarter final next year in New Zealand.

English born but generally considered to be South African Mallet coached the Springboks to 17 record equaling victories in 1998 is well respected in the rugby world cup but faces a stiff challenge as Italy have never made it out of the group stages.

Italy have been making progress under Mallet and are no longer considered "easy beats" in the Six Nations.

Mallett's predecessor Pierre Berbizier started the Italian surge and his Italy team threatened Scotland in the last Rugby world cup but failed to beat the Scots and were knocked out of the world cup.

Italy have been pooled at the 2011 Rugby World cup with Australia and Ireland which makes Mallet's task even more daunting.

"After three years of work I know the players and the ambience well," he told RTE from the team's pre-season training base in Valle d'Aosta.

"I think it is very important that Benetton (Treviso) and Viadana (Aironi) have been accepted into the Magners League because it will allow many players to play at a higher level, the fruits of which will be seen in several years."

Despite the Italian resurgence Italy have not yet taken a TriNations scalp but they will play three internationals against Southern Hemisphere opposition in November.

One of those November Internationals will be against Australia, on November 20 in Florence. They will also play Argentina, on the 13th of November in Verona, and finish with a clash against Fiji, in Modena on the 27th of November.

Two years ago not long after Mallet took over they lost to both Australia, Argentina and the Pacific Islanders but last year they beat Samoa and lost New Zealand and South Africa.

"The Argentina match will give us the chance to get revenge for our last defeat against them, then there will be the excellent Australians and finally Fiji, who are just ahead of us in the world rankings," added Mallett.

"These will be crucial matches in the build-up to the World Cup."

Spain reaches semis after tense clash World Cup Centre

Spain has edged out Paraguay 1-0 in the World Cup quarter-finals at Ellis Park after both teams missed a penalty in the second half.

David Villa netted the winner on 83 minutes after a mostly static encounter as the Paraguayans looked to shut out Spain's passing game.

Paraguay's tail was up when Oscar Cardozo was hauled down in the box by Gerard Pique on 56 minutes, but Iker Casillas jumped to his left to save well.

A minute later, fortunes were reversed when David Villa broke into the box but went down very easily under the attentions of Antolin Alcaraz.

Drama ensued when Xabi Alonso stepped up to convert the penalty, but an encroachment by Spanish players running into the box meant it had to be retaken, and 'keeper Justo Villar dived left to save and keep out the ensuing rebounds.

But the game changed with Cesc Fabregas's introduction, subbed in for the out-of-sorts Fernando Torres, and combining with Andres Iniesta, proceeded to create the vital opening for Spain's winner.

Iniesta ran at the centre of Paraguay's backline, jinking past three defenders before feeding Pedro on the left, but the midfielder's shot cannoned off the post.

The rebound found Villa, who took a touch before firing the ball home, taking a touch off both posts before nestling into the back of the net.

Paraguay chased the game late on as Lucas Barrios charged down the flank and shot on sight, but Roque Santa Cruz's shot off the rebound was brilliantly pawed away by Casillas.


Static opening

Just 50 seconds into the game's opening period, Jonathan Santana had a chance for Paraguay but could only hit a tame shot at Casillas.

The attentions were firmly on the Spanish stopper who was nearly caught in possession as Nelson Valdez raced onto his attempted clearance to deflect it behind the line.

But the game opened up for Spain as Xavi found Villa on the byline, but the forward's cross inside the box was cut out.

Xavi then went for the spectacular with a spin-and-shoot, but his audacious volley dipped just over the crossbar.

Torres was having a wretched time on the right flank and the out-of-form striker was not able to create any headway in the attacking third.

He dinked a ball past his marker and looked for Villa in the box, but his cross floated harmlessly out of play.

Paraguay thought it was 1-0 to the good when Cardozo buried his shot from a deep cross, but was flagged offside. Replays suggest he was marginally behind the line.

Valdez ended the half with a barnstorming run with Carles Puyol struggling to contain him, but the forward's shot was blasted well over.

Spain: 1 (D Villa 83')

Paraguay: 0

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World Cup 2010: Joachim Loew hails 'incredible' Germany win over Argentina

Germany coach Joachim Loew hailed his side's "incredible" performance after seeing them defeat Argentina 4-0 to progress to the World Cup semi-finals.

Loew's side stunned the pre-tournament favourites with goals from midfielder Thomas Mueller, defender Arne Friedrich and two for striker Miroslav Klose.

"We really turned in an incredible showing," said Loew, whose side will now either face Spain or Paraguay.

"Scoring four goals against Argentina you have to say that that was class."

Germany took the lead as early as the third minute and managed to keep their opponent's attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain quiet throughout.

And it was Germany's ability to limit the threat of world and European player of the year Messi that particularly pleased Loew.

"We closed down Messi very well - without resorting to fouls, so that was great," said Loew.

Germany led 1-0 at half-time but sealed victory with three second-half goals, proving as much as an attacking force as their star-studded opponents.

"We really stepped on the gas in the second half and played a liberated style of attacking football," added Loew.

"I have been proud of my team for a long time, not only today. We played some really great football in the second-half and the team has shown the will of champions.

"This result and the amount of goals we scored was almost unimaginable before the game."

The only blot on Germany's copybook was Mueller's first-half yellow card which sees him suspended for the semi-final.

"Everything went off superbly and to send Argentina packing 4-0, well, what can you say?," said Mueller.

"But we did it as a team and I can't pick out any individuals. We all pulled together for this and it's just great.

"It's insane to beat Argentina 4-0. It's hard to find the words for a result like that."

Man-of-the-match Bastian Schweinsteiger added: "That gives you goose bumps seeing the way people are celebrating at home.

"We may have to play Spain next - they're the best team in the world, in my view. But we're good enough, we believe in ourselves."

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Ghana heartbroken as penalties rescue Uruguay World Cup Centre

Uruguay has eliminated Ghana from the World Cup and moved into the semi-finals with a dramatic penalty shootout win after both teams drew 1-1 at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.

Sebastien Abreu calmly netted the winning penalty after Uruguay almost lost the match at the death of extra-time when Luis Suarez was sent off for handballing on the line, but Asamoah Gyan missed the spot kick that would have sent Ghana through.

Fernando Muslera came to the fore to save John Mensah and Dominic Adiyah's penalties and despite Maxi Pereira's miss over the bar, Uruguay held on to win the shootout 4-2 and deny Ghana the first World Cup semi-final berth for an African team.

It was heartbreak for Gyan who missed what would have been the winning penalty in extra-time after Suarez blatantly handballed on the line as Ghana laid siege to the Uruguay goal.

Ghana had a header hacked off the line first by Muslera, before firing the ball straight back to be cleared off the line again, only by Suarez's flailing hands.

The referee issued a straight red card for the same offence for which Harry Kewell was sent off, ironically against Ghana, as a tearful Suarez left the field having seemingly cost his side the match at the death.

But one more twist came when Gyan stepped up for the penalty, ready to send Ghana through to the semi-finals, only to smack the ball against the crossbar as Suarez's pain turned visibly to relief on the touchline.

It capped a huge spell of pressure applied by Ghana at the tail-end of extra-time after Gyan headed over Steven Appiah's right wing cross, before a long throw found Kevin Prince Boateng, whose header also missed.

Uruguay will now meet the Netherlands in the Cape Town semi-final.


End to end

The second half had earlier been an end-to-end affair with both sides exchanging spells of superiority.

On 55 minutes, Jorge Fucile, who copped a brusing in the first half, was bungled over outside the box as Ghana conceded a free kick.

It proved incisive for Uruguay as Diego Forlan lined up and struck a majestic free kick which swerved in the air past Richard Kingson.

Forlan's goal cancelled out Sulley Muntari's stunning opener, after the Inter Milan midfielder marked his first tournament start with a magnificent strike in first-half injury time.

Turning in midfield, Muntari bent the ball from 35 yards past the flatfooted Muslera to send the partisan crowd into ecstasy.

Having conceded the equaliser, Ghana kept its head up as Gyan collected Boateng's pass to fire at Muslera, who spilled his catch, but Muntari could not finish from the rebound.

Mensah hit a weak header behind which Forlan latched onto before whipping a cross to Suarez whose volley failed to hit the target.

Suarez was put through minutes later only to be denied by a reflex Kingson save before the forward again headed at the 'keeper from a Forlan free kick.


Kingson's barrier

Ghana had 'keeper Kingson to thank for keeping it in the game in the first half with a string of saves.

Suarez put Kingson to the test on 10 minutes before Forlan rifled a free kick from distance, forcing an uncertain punch sent skywards from the 'keeper.

Edinson Cavani put Forlan free through the middle, who arrowed a shot wide of goal before Suarez brought out another save from Kingson just a minute later.

But Ghana broke free from the siege when, on 29 minutes, Isaac Vorsah's header missed by a hair's breadth from a corner, before Boateng counter-attacked to set up Asamoah Gyan, who also shot wide.

Boateng dinked a ball into Gyan's path four minutes later but Muslera cut out the forward's run.

Uruguay had already lost captain Diego Lugano when he was forced to withdraw on 37 minutes before Jorge Fucile was knocked out cold when leaping for a header.

The full-back landed painfully on his head and required medical attention after landing motionless on the floor.

But more pain was to follow for Uruguay when, in added time, Sulley Muntari turned in centre midfield to hit a swerving shot past the wrong-footed Muslera from 35 yards.

Ghana: 1 (S Muntari 45'+2, PENS:A Gyan, S Appiah, J Mensah [miss], D Adiyah [miss])

Uruguay 1 (D Forlan 55', PENS: D Forlan, M Victorino, A Scotti, M Pereira [miss], S Abreu)

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Netherlands stuns Brazil in Cup quarterfinals World Cup Centre

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa - Don’t call the Dutch underachievers anymore.

Not after the way the Netherlands rallied to upset five-time champion Brazil 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals Friday.

After waking themselves up at halftime, the title that has eluded the Dutch for all these years is now just two wins away.

“For 45 minutes we went full throttle,” said Wesley Sneijder. “We were rewarded.”

One of the shortest players on the field, Sneijder put the Netherlands ahead in the 68th minute on a header — a thrill so huge he ran to a TV camera, tapped the lens and stuck his face in for a close up.

“It just slipped through from my bald head and it was a great feeling,” Sneijder said.

He was in the middle of the post-game party, too, as his teammates swarmed him when the final whistle blew. John Heitinga picked up Sneijder and slung him over his shoulder as Netherlands captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a Brazil shirt in hand, leaped up and rubbed Sneidjer’s closely shaved head.

The result was a case of role reversal for both sides.

The top-ranked team in the world and one of the most impressive squads in the tournament until Friday, Brazil lost its composure after falling behind and defender Felipe Melo was ejected in the 73rd minute for stomping on the leg of Arjen Robben.

The Dutch made the championship match in 1974 and ’78, lost both, and rarely have lived up to their talent in other World Cups. They did this time, helped by an own goal off the head of unfortunate Felipe Melo that brought them into a 1-1 tie in the 53rd.

“I’m devastated. It was hard to see the players crying back there,” Felipe Melo said after emerging from the locker room.

“I have to apologize to the Brazilian fans. I came here thinking about giving Brazil the title, but I’m a human being. Everybody can make mistakes.”

He was almost the hero.

Robinho gave the Brazilians the lead on Felipe Melo’s brilliant low pass up the middle of the field that the striker put home with a low shot.

But the second half presented the unusual sight of the Brazilians scrambling wildly to find an equalizer.

It never came.

Instead, it was the Oranje and their fans doing the dancing as Brazil’s players lay on the turf.

Brazil also lost in the quarterfinals four years ago, falling to France 1-0. Former team captain Dunga was hired to coach the team after that defeat, despite having no previous managerial experience.

“We didn’t expect this,” he said. “We know that any World Cup match is about 90 minutes. In the first half we were able to play better and we weren’t able to maintain that rhythm in the second half.”

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World Cup Centre: England comes alive just in time, advances past group stage

Jermain Defoe knocked in a goal for the revived Three Lions as they beat Slovenia 1-0on Wednesday in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, advancing to the tournament's second round.

It was a narrow but welcome escape for England, a pretournament favorite that was fighting off talk of internal strife after disappointing ties against the United States and Algeria.

The English needed a victory to move on, and they got it, dictating the pace for much of the game. Now they'll play Germany in the second round.

"This team, this spirit, played together and tried together," said England coach Fabio Capello. "I am really happy because I found the team I know. We now go forward. We can play against all the teams because the mind is now free."

The victory gave England second place in Group C behind the United States, which beat Algeria 1-0. Slovenia entered the day the surprise leader in the group but finished with four points to five for the U.S. and England. The U.S. earned first place based on tiebreakers.

Playing more aggressively than they did in draws with the Americans and Algerians, the English went ahead when Defoe put in James Milner's cross from 5 yards out with a right-footed shot.

"I'm lost for words to be honest," Defoe said. "What a moment. Everyone was focused before the game. We are through, that's the most important thing."

England continued to dominate after the goal, and Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic had to make two saves within a few seconds of each other to stop shots from Defoe and Steven Gerrard.

Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Glen Johnson also had shots on goal.

At the end of the game, relieved England players — who had met with Caello to discuss what went wrong against Algeria — embraced in a group hug.

Germany 1, Ghana 0: Germany won. Ghana lost, then won.

Mesut Oezil scored on a left-footed blast from outside the area to give Germany a 1-0 victory over Ghana in Johannesburg and first place in Group D at the World Cup.

Still, Ghana had reason to party. Moments after the game was over, Ghana learned that Australia had defeated Serbia 2-1, a result that meant Ghana took second place in the group and also will move on to the round of 16.

"It was a very difficult match, but we fought, and it was enough to get us through," said Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew. "We had opportunities, but the important thing is that we went through."

Once the scoreboard flashed the Aussie final, Ghana players hugged each other, waved their country's flag and ran to the corner where their supporters were cheering and dancing.

The Germans, too, were saluting their fans and enjoying the moment.

"It was a tense game. We could have made more out of our opportunities," Germany coach Joachim Loew said. "We were not very precise up front. But I can't blame my young players, there was a lot of pressure, we had to win."

The heavily favored Germans had an upset loss to Serbia that left them needing a victory to be assured of advancing. Ghana is the first of the six African teams in the tournament to make it to the knockout phase. It could also be the last. Only Ivory Coast still has a chance to gain the final 16.

Australia 2, Serbia 1: Tim Cahill and Brett Holman scored second-half goals in Nelspruit, South Africa, to help Australia beat Serbia in Group D of the World Cup. But both teams did not advance. Marko Pantelic scored for Serbia, which finished last The Aussies got four points, the same as Ghana, which got second place on goal differential (even to minus-3).

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Australia vs. Serbia World Cup 2010 Scores and Results World Cup Centre

Australia vs. Serbia World Cup 2010 Scores and Results – The World Cup 2010 match between Australia vs. Serbia was already finished. Held at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Australia won over Serbia with a final score of 2-1.

Before we can give you a recap of the match, let’s first have a look on their previous performances in the World Cup 2010. Australia faced its first match against Germany last June 13 at Durban Stadium in Durban. In this football match, Germany won with an outstanding final score of 4-0. During its second match, Australia faced Ghana last June 19 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenberg. In this match, Australia tied with Ghana ending the game with a final score of 1-1.

Moving over to Serbia, they faced their first World Cup 2010 football match against Ghana last June 13 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. In this football match, Serbia lost to Ghana with a final score of 0-1. During its second football match, Serbia battled against Germany at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last June 18. In this match, Serbia won over Germany with a final score of 1-0.

Now, let’s have the recap of the match between Australia vs. Serbia. As with some of the previous World Cup 2010 football matches, there were no goals committed during the first half of the game. Instead, there were several missed opportunities for both teams. In the 23rd minute, Serbia missed an excellent chance to score. Ivanovic saw his close range volleyed brilliantly blocked by the left arm of Shwarzer. In contrast, in the 32nd minute, it was Australia’s best moment in attack. After a quick move downfield, Bresciano saw his cross from the left headed well wide by Cahill under heavy pressure from two defenders.

Moving over to the second half of the game, the first goal was scored by Australia through Cahill. The Socceroo talisman powered a great header into the corner of the net after a perfect cross from the right. Not long after that successful goal, Australia once again scored in the 73rd minute through Holman moving the score to 2-0 against Serbia. Substitute Holman scored a stunning strike with a long-range effort. Collecting the ball nearer the half-way, Holman turned and advanced before unleashing a great low shot into the right corner of Stojkovic from Serbia.

Just before the match ended, in the 84th minute, it was Serbia’s time to score a goal through Pantelic. Tosic fired in a shot that was spilled by Schwarzer and Pantelic easily stabbed in the rebound. With that goal, the score now moved to 2-1. However, the game finished in the 94th minute with no additional goals from Serbia.

Congratulations to Australia for winning this World Cup 2010 football match against Serbia. The result sees Australia finished Group D third behind Ghana on goal difference while Serbia finished fourth. Stay tuned to us for more World Cup 2010 updates.

USA Algeria World Cup Results: 1:0 World Cup Centre FIFA 2010

The USA and Algeria faced off in South Africa today, with the U.S. needing a victory to secure their spot in the round of sixteen.

They got that spot, thanks to a stunning goal by Landon Donavan in extra time today. The US striker managed to take a great toss in, push hard on goal, and win it all.

The goal, a seven-yard strike, set the stadium aflame, as well as U.S. fans around the country.

The finish means that the U.S. team, with only a record of 1-0-2, will advance into the next round, atop its group overall. They will face Ghana on Saturday, in what will surely be yet another nail biter.

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Ghana vs. Germany World Cup 2010 Scores and Results Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Ghana vs. Germany World Cup 2010 Scores and Results – The battle between Ghana vs. Germany in the FIFA World Cup 2010 was already finished. Held at the Soccer City in Johannesburg, Germany won over Ghana in a final score of 1-0.

As always, before we can give you a recap of the match between Ghana vs. Germany, let’s first have a look in their previous World Cup 2010 football matches. In its first football match, Ghana faced Serbia at the Lotus Versfeld Stadium last June 13. In this match, Ghana won over Serbia with a final score of 1-0. During its second match, Ghana met with Australia last June 19 which was held at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenberg. In this football match, Ghana tied with Australia ending the game with a final score of 1-1.

Moving over to Germany, they faced their first football match against Australia last June 13 which was held at Durban Stadium in Durban. In this football match, Germany did an outstanding job of finishing the game defeating Australia with a final score of 4-0. In its second match, Germany faced Serbia last June 18 which was held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. In this second match, Germany was surprisingly lost to Serbia with a final score of 0-1.

Now going back to the recap of the game itself, there were no goals scored by both teams during the first half of the game. However, there were two players, one for each team, who were given a yellow card before the first half ended – Ayew from Ghana and Muller in Germany.

The second half kicked off with the first five minutes have been exclusively spent in Ghana’s half. There was a missed opportunity for Ozil in the 52nd minute when the ball broke to Asamoah (Ghana), who with just the goal keeper to beat, fired into Neuer’s (Germany) legs. Perseverance of Ozil paid off during the 60th minute when he successfully made a goal for Germany advancing the score to 1-0. The Germans’ patience paid off when Ozil smashed a left footed shot into the top corner of the net from the edge of the box. It was a fine strike which changed the complexion of Group D.

In the 68th minute, Ghana’s chance for a goal was blocked by Lahm’s legs. Ayew from Ghana burst into the box and took a shot into the goal. However, Lahm’s legs denied it as it got deflected over the bar. The final whistle was heard in the 93rd minute of the game marking the end of the match without any goal for Ghana.

Congratulations to Germany for winning this World Cup 2010 football match against Ghana. Even though Ghana was lost, Africa celebrated with having a team in the last 16 in the World Cup 2010 finals. Visit us again and stay tuned to us as we will be giving you more updates on the succeeding matches in the FIFA World Cup 2010.



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New Zealand claim famous result 1-1 verus Italy Fifa 2010 South Africa

New Zealand claimed the most famous result in their history after holding reigning world champions Italy to a 1-1 draw in Nelspruit on Sunday.

The All Whites got off to a dream start when Shane Smeltz capitalised on a Fabio Cannavaro error to prod home the opening goal in the seventh minute.

Italy then threw everything they had at New Zealand, but, despite Vincenzo Iaquinta converting a penalty just before the half-hour, couldn't find a way through an inspired New Zealand backline for a winner.

Ryan Nelsen and Winston Reid were both superb at the heart of the Kiwi defence, while keeper Mark Paston was also in inspired form.

The stunning result leaves both Italy and New Zealand level on two points going into the final round of Group F fixtures

USA 0, Slovenia 0 a Draw! World Cup Centre

Slovenia were seven minutes away from becoming the first team at World Cup 2010 to make the second round.

Then lung-busting midfielder Bradley completed the Yanks' deserved comeback from 2-0 down with a toe-poked equaliser.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/worldcup2010/3019667/Slovenia-2-USA2.html#ixzz0rDnSz4IR

Valter Birsa's 30-yarder on 13 minutes and Zlatan Ljubijankic's classy 42nd minute finish on the break rewarded Slovenia's slicker play.

But Landon Donovan punished shocking goalkeeping by lashing a reply on 48 minutes.

And, after Bradley stabbed home Josy Altidore's brilliant nod-down, the Yanks were only denied victoy by what seemed a shocking refereeing decision.


Maurice Edu bundled the ball home from a free-kick - but the goal was ruled out for pushing when it seemed Slovenian defenders were the only players doing the shoving.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/worldcup2010/3019667/Slovenia-2-USA2.html#ixzz0rDne3saF

Ten-Man Germany Still Look the Goods

SO WHAT do we know now? Germany clearly got lucky against Australia and they're no good after all? Perhaps not. The Germans were good enough to dominate this match with 10 men - they created chances, controlled the midfield and missed a penalty that would have earned them a point, which was the very least they deserved.

They didn't take a step back and the way they attacked in search of an equaliser meant that despite the defeat, no one left the stadium with anything other than admiration for Joachim Loew's side.

Results over the past couple of days will mean Argentina are seen, understandably, as the tournament's top side, but no one should be fooled into underestimating the Germans.

What we now know for certain is what most of us feared when the draw was made back in December - the Socceroos' battle was headed for a steep incline from the start.

Group D is unexpectedly even, with three teams on three points and Australia on none with a goal deficit of minus four. There are two ways to look at the scenario. Those of a glass-half-full persuasion will see this as an opportunity to get back on level terms through a convincing victory against Ghana tonight. Those of the glass-half-empty mindset might be inclined to fear the worst - if Serbia can beat Germany and Ghana can beat Serbia, then what can Ghana do to Australia?

The extent of the German win over Australia means victory tonight would probably still leave the Socceroos having to beat the Serbs. No mean feat.

They have conceded one goal - from a penalty after a stupid handball. They say a sure sign of madness is doing the same thing twice and expecting a different result, so either Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic has gone a bit soft in the head or he should have learnt from his teammate's mistake and known what would happen if he handled the ball in his own penalty area. They were fortunate Germany, unlike Ghana, failed to convert from the spot.

The Serbs made changes to the line-up and system that was unfortunate to lose to Ghana, sacrificing Ajax striker Marko Pantelic for an extra midfielder. Behind the central pair of Milos Ninkovic and Zdravko Kuzmanovic, sat Inter Milan's Dejan Stankovic who was there to suffocate the attacking threat of Germany's advanced midfielder Mesut Ozil. It left the 202cm-framed Nikola Zigic as a lone striker and a target for the wide attacking threats from either flank with Milan Jovanovic on the left and Milos Krasic on the right. It was these three who combined for the opening goal and, while it came in the immediate aftermath of Klose's red card, it would be harsh to claim the striker's absence was responsible for the Serbs' success. Krasic got past his marker and flighted in a dangerous cross that Zigic got his head to, cleverly setting up Jovanovic who finished well. Klose would have had no influence on the outcome.

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Full speed ahead as Maradona's Rolls-Royce powering through group stage

ARGENTINA is getting tastier by the game.
Messi is the man driving Argentina's World Cup dream

Diego Maradona's men were simply delicious on Thursday night and you get the impression there is better to come.

This is largely down to the mesmerising genius of Lionel Messi, who was again the star turn. Maradona has said that his team is a Rolls-Royce with Messi as its driver; the young man seems now to be going at full speed.

The only surprise in all this is that the 22-year-old has not yet scored. He played a crucial role in all of Argentina's goals on Thursday but could not bag one for himself.

The point about Argentina's attack is that it seems to be getting stronger. Messi plus Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain equals trouble, but in the 75th minute on Thursday, Maradona was able to swap Tevez for Sergio Aguero and within five minutes Argentina had scored two beauties.


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You watch that and ask how Aguero can possibly be left out; but then again, Maradona still has Diego Milito, who scored twice in last month's Champions League final, sitting, doing his nails, on the bench.

Higuain sometimes appears the least accomplished of the lot - there are lofty standards here - although his hat-trick on Thursday is testament to his timing and positional intelligence. But when you consider that Argentina put four past the team who put two past Greece, you feel for the Greeks in four days' time.

Greece will not have to face Jonas Gutierrez because he was given a second yellow card on Thursday, although this may yet work further in Argentina's favour. Their (comparative) weakness is in defence and, although Martin Demichelis gave South Korea its single goal with a dreadful lapse of concentration, its weakest defender is the man it has to find a replacement for.

This may require a little magic from Maradona, although an assessment of Thursday suggests that his wand is working well. Further to the timely substitution, his team scored twice from set pieces, which suggests that it is operating well in training.

But perhaps most telling was his behaviour at the end when he went straight over to Demichelis and wrapped him in a huge hug. "This could happen to anyone," he said of Demichelis's mistake.

He was also asked if his "love" and affection for his players could help to win the World Cup, at which point his eyes widened in astonishment and he quickly spluttered: "I'm not limp-wristed. I prefer women. I am dating Veronica, she is 31, blonde and beautiful.

But the feeling now is that Maradona is doing a serious job. Certainly the football his team has delivered in South Africa inspires respect. Argentina was pressing here from the start, but it was an own goal, from a corner, that got them going. South Korea was always struggling to hold them and thus the fouls, free kicks and chances continued.

The second goal was nodded in by Higuain, unmarked, from a set-piece, but the real quality came after Aguero's introduction. First he fed Messi, and Messi shot twice: one rebounded off the goalkeeper, the second off a post to Higuain for the tap-in. Next, he was on the end of Messi's flick and crossed to Higuain, whose header was sharply directed to complete the Real Madrid man's hat-trick.

South Korea can still qualify and, against a deflated Nigeria, it probably will. But it was not impressive on Thursday, albeit that it is hard to put out flames when they are being ignited everywhere. Argentina is a relentless pyromaniac.

All very nice, then, and happy in Maradona-land.

Veiw Article Source

Mexico Puts France In Tough Spot

Seventeenth-ranked Mexico has a share of the top spot in the Group A standings after surprising France 2-nil in World Cup play from South Africa.
With the win, the Mexicans moved on the threshold of the knockout stages, while putting the ninth-ranked French side in a do-or-die situation.
Mexico now needs only a draw Tuesday against Uruguay to advance, while a tie in that game would eliminate France and host nation South Africa and put Mexico and Uruguay into the Round of 16.
Thursday's other action was in Group B, where Argentina crushed South Korea 4-1 and Greece got by Nigeria 2-1.
It was the first-ever World Cup win for Greece.
Argentina leads the group with six points, while South Korea and Greece are each second with three points.
Nigeria has lost both its game, but still has a slim chance to gain a berth in the elimination rounds.
The U.S. returns to action Friday for its second match in Group C.
Team USA will take on Slovenia, which currently leads the pod after a 1-nil victory over Algeria last Saturday.
That same day, the U.S. battled England to a 1-all draw.
American goalie Tim Howard is expected to play, despite suffering a rib injury in the England contest.
Algeria and England will also face each other on Friday.
The day's other contest will feature Germany against Serbia in Group D play.

New Zealand Score late equaliser to get a 1-1 draw

Winston Reid scored in second-half injury time Tuesday, lifting New Zealand to a 1-1 draw with Slovakia.

Robert Vittek scored early in the second half, giving Slovakia the lead in World Cup Group F. But Reid sneaked behind the defense to take a long cross from Shane Smeltz and tie it.

The Kiwis are ranked 78th in the world, 44 spots above Slovakia, which is in its first World Cup as an independent nation.

Slovakia's goal came in the 50th minute when Stanislav Sestak crossed from the right side. Reid missed his defensive header, allowing Vittek to scored from close range at the far post.

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Italy held to 1-1 draw, Netherlands, Japan win

JOHANNESBURG — Defending champion Italy looked more like pretender than credible contender for a second straight World Cup title, and the flying form of the Netherlands never really got off the ground.

The Italians, who came into the World Cup with questions about an aging squad, were held to a 1-1 draw by Paraguay in Group F in Cape Town. In fact, the Azzurri had to rally on Daniele De Rossi's second-half goal to get the one point.

The Dutch, who went unbeaten in qualifying with a potent offense, struggled to get going at Soccer City but still managed a 2-0 win over Denmark in Group E. In the other Group E match, Keisuke Honda scored to lead Japan over Cameroon 1-0 in Bloemfontein.

Antolin Alcaraz gave Paraguay the lead at the Green Point Stadium with a header in the 39th minute of the rainy Group F match, and De Rossi equalized for Italy from close range in the 63rd.

"The biggest regret is the result," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "They only approached the goal once and they scored. We reacted well, but you've got to win games likes these."

Italy played the second half without goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who left the game with a sciatic nerve injury.

"He had a back problem," Lippi said. "I hope he's back for the next game, but that will be up to the doctors."

Buffon said he will be ready for the next match.

"It was a good result, though we can't say we played really well," Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino said. "We have to take into account who is who. It's not easy to play first against the last world champion."

In Johannesburg, Dirk Kuyt scored one goal for the Dutch, who came into the tournament in South Africa expecting to show the world some beautiful, free-flowing soccer. But the other goal came when Denmark defender Simon Poulsen headed a ball off the back of teammate Daniel Agger and into his own net.

"We wanted to play beautiful football but we lost the ball," Netherlands coach Bert Van Marwijk said. "From time to time you could see how good we can be."

The Netherlands took the lead in the 46th minute when Poulsen tried to clear a cross from Robin van Persie. Instead, it went off Agger's back and into the net.

"I was just thinking, this can't be happening," Poulsen said of the freak goal.

Kuyt added the second goal in the 85th minute when he tapped in a rebound off the post from close range.

In Bloemfontein, Japan won its first match at a World Cup on foreign soil when Honda scored in the 39th from a curling cross by Daisuke Matsu.

"I found a good position and the ball was very good," Honda said. "I just told myself to be calm to make it, because recently we have missed good chances, so I wanted to make it absolute today."

Cameroon didn't get its offense on track until the second half, but never found the net despite the presence of star striker Samuel Eto'o.

"We were too nervous in the first half. We lost many, many balls because we were nervous and that is why I am disappointed tonight," Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen said. "They were not playing to their best of their ability and we were not able to release our potential this evening, and that is really disappointing."

Through 11 games, there have been eight shutouts, with the only matches where both teams scored coming in 1-1 draws between the United States and England, South Africa and Mexico, and Italy vs. Paraguay. Through Monday, no winning team had allowed a goal.

Read FULL STORY HERE

Germany beats 10-man Australia 4-0 at World Cup

DURBAN, South Africa — For one night, the Beautiful Game belonged to Germany.

Known more as a methodical team than a brilliantly creative one such as Brazil, the Germans scored several lovely goals Sunday night in a 4-0 rout of Australia.

Germany scored two goals in each half and Tim Cahill was sent off as the three-time champion surged to the top of Group D at the World Cup.

"I think the way we set up our attacks is something we've been working on intensively," Germany coach Joachim Loew said. "But we've also worked on how we play off the ball — to move into unused space. We were very good on the ball tonight, and we created beautiful goals."

Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose scored in the first 30 minutes as Australia coach Pim Verbeek's defensive tactics backfired.

Thomas Mueller and Cacau also scored against an overwhelmed Australian defense in the second half after Cahill was red-carded in the 56th minute for a late tackle on Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The Germans' dominant win, played in front of 62,660 fans at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, came without injured captain Michael Ballack.

"We earned respect for ourselves," Klose said. "It was hugely important to win the first game, but nothing is won yet. We're a young team and we have fun playing."

Earlier Sunday, Asamoah Gyan scored on a penalty kick to give Ghana a 1-0 win over Serbia in the opening Group D match.

Germany had not lost an opening game in the World Cup since a 2-1 defeat to Algeria in 1982. It never looked like that string would be snapped on a warm evening in Durban.

Podolski started the rout by ending a slick passing move in the eighth minute and Klose headed in his 11th career World Cup goal in the 26th.

A stunned Verbeek sat on the bench shaking his head while Joachim Loew, in his 50th game as Germany coach, punched the air in celebration.

Hoping to hold out for a draw, Verbeek used Cahill as a forward and packed his midfield. But with Cahill isolated up front instead of controlling the midfield, Australia had no answer to Germany's swift passing and running game.

"It was not an easy game for us," Verbeek said. "We tried to make it very difficult for them and use our speed, but we didn't have the ball in the first 20 minutes."

Any slim hope Australia had of coming back evaporated with Cahill's 56th-minute ejection.

Klose missed two more good chances before Mueller made it 3-0 in the 68th minute, dragging the ball back to avoid Scott Chipperfield's lunge and firing a low shot in off the post.

Cacau rounded off the scoring in the 70th, just two minutes after coming on for Klose.

While Germany is in excellent shape for advancement already, the Socceroos are desperate.

"The next game is a final," Verbeek said of the match with Ghana. "We have to win that game."

World Cup 2010: Argentina scores early, holding on for 1-0 win

An early goal from Gabriel Heinze is all Argentina would need to clinch -- but they blew lot of chances too.

Argentina and Nigeria have World Cup history together. In fact, the last time Maradona laced up a pair of boots for Argentina was in 1994 against Nigeria. After the game, Maradona was drug tested and found with ephedrine in his system. So this game is not only important for both teams, but Maradona probably wants this one pretty bad. Lars Lagerback has only had this team since February and didn’t have much time to prepare. Regardless, Nigeria has scoring threats and some other good players that can help them keep Argentina paying attention. Things seemed simple for Argentina in this match-up, which had as much to do with their play as it did with what Nigeria didn’t do on the field.

2010 FIFA World Cup Match #4: Argentina put on a good show in 1-0 win

It was a weird feeling around Ellis Park considering their were supposed to be a lot of Nigerian fans that lived in the area. It looked like a small part of Buenos Aires took over the city instead. Before the match many waited in anticipation as to what lineup Maradona would use, he chose well to use a 4-3-3 variation with Messi sitting in behind Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuian with Di Maria and Juan Sebastian Veron going forward behind them, leaving Javier Mascherano to sit and hold.

I didn’t understand Lars Lagerback’s decision to leave out Obafemi Martins and Peter Odemwengie from the starting eleven. I understand you need to have some substitutions but you can’t leave anything to chance. As the slogan for this world cup is very correct “one game changes everything.” Things didn’t start out too well for Nigeria either as in the sixth minute Gabriel Heinze came in unmarked on a corner kick and headed the ball into the net very easily.

After that, it just allowed Argentina to control the game. Lionel Messi with his maestro moves kept the Nigerian defense on the back foot all game. While Gonzalo Higuian had a few chances to score but just couldn’t convert. Nigeria had a few nice glimpses with Yakubu providing chances for himself but none came any closer than the one Taiwo had in the second half.

World Cup: USA 1-1 draw with England important, not impressive

The fact that the USA held England to a 1-1 draw in the World Cup Saturday was an accomplishment. But the result raised more questions about England than it answered about the USA.

By the reckoning of the score sheet, the USA will count its 1-1 draw with England as a fantastic accomplishment.

This was England, after all, the team that swept through World Cup qualifying as though armed with bayonets. They had not merely qualified for the tournament, they had stormed its gates, signaling to the world that this England side was ready to leave behind 20 years of mediocrity and make a serious run at the cup.

Yet on a cool day in Rustenberg, South Africa, it was difficult to escape the impression that this was, once again, an England somehow less than the sum of its parts, and that the USA’s draw – while respectable – was something less impressive than it would have seemed only a day ago.

England was supposed to be a yardstick for the USA. Like Spain and Brazil in last year’s Confederations Cup, England was supposed to be a soccer doctorate in 90 minutes – a test to see if the US had, at last, graduated to the Ph.D. level of world soccer. Or, at least, how far it still needed to go.

Instead, the game was more an indictment of England’s championship credentials.

The US competed admirably and, at times, equally with a team ranked No. 3 on ESPN’s World Soccer Index. Yet it was hardly a game to stir the soul.

In its games against Spain and Brazil last year, the USA had a bit of “Rocky” about it. For minute after minute, it absorbed a beating from the best the world had to offer, only to slip off the ropes and deliver a knockout blow. Landon Donovan’s goal against Brazil is probably the greatest goal scored in US soccer history.

Saturday’s game approached that level only once, when American forward Jozy Altidore bore down in the English goal with a ferocity that seemed to make the earth tremble, only for England goalkeeper Robert Green to pull off an exceptional save, with the help of the left goalpost.

Yet at other moments, the game was far too pedestrian. Forget England goalkeeper Green’s blunder to gift the USA its crucial goal. More insidious, but perhaps equally as worrying, was England’s repeated inability to force USA’s Tim Howard into a difficult save. In the most crucial moments, England invariably shot directly at him.

When Emile Heskey was alone in front of goal, his shot was impossible for Howard not to save.

Another time, England forward Wayne Rooney helplessly watched a cross sail over his head when there was not an American defender in the same ZIP code.

These are hardly schoolboy soccer mistakes. “Nil-nil” might be a taunt of the American soccerphobe, but it is also instructive: scoring in soccer is hard.

Yet neither are these mistakes that Spain or Brazil would make with such regularity.

They allowed America to emerge with its growing reputation intact, and perhaps enhanced. And not unjustly. Viewers needed a GPS system just to locate Rooney during the first half in part because the USA defense marginalized him.

Moreover, this was no miracle draw. The US, while clearly overmatched on the teamsheet, was rarely overmatched on the field.

No, it was more a matter of England not being the foe many had expected them to be.

This doesn’t mean they are impostors. For World Cup champions, the tournament is often a crescendo, and England has the means to right itself.

But it means that a 1-1 draw against England is not necessarily a pass to the second round. Even well off its top form, England is probably still better than the USA’s other Group C rivals, Slovenia and Algeria.

Then again, the USA will need to do better than draw against Slovenia (Friday) and Algeria (June 23) to advance.

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World Cup 2010: Park Ji-sung shines as slick South Korea sink Greece

South Korea's Park Ji-sung celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Greece. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

The best team we have seen so far in the embryonic stages of the World Cup? That would probably be Germany but South Korea – little, patronised South Korea – have also staked their own claim. They played with a freedom and sense of adventure that has not always been seen in the opening few days and, on this evidence, they could be a bigger challenge to Argentina winning Group B than initially anticipated.

The sides meet at Soccer City in Soweto on Thursday, and Diego Maradona's spies in Port Elizabeth will presumably be reporting back that there is reason for due care and attention. Admittedly, Greece look a poor, disjointed side, but this was still a performance to bring back memories of South Korea's wild and eccentric run to the semi-finals, when they co‑hosted the tournament in 2002.

Their performance also contained an element of surprise considering that their coach, Huh Jung-moo, was facing calls for Guus Hiddink's reinstatement after a particularly chastening 3-0 defeat by China in February. On Saturday they were a slick, cohesive unit, counterattacking with pace and purpose, with Manchester United's Park Ji-sung epitomising the team's ethos: comfortable in possession, quick to the ball and plenty of long, hard, indefatigable running.

At 29, Park is talking about retiring from international football at the end of this tournament because of his misgivings about the sapping effects of 11-hour flights to Seoul from his base in Manchester and, quite possibly, having had some pressure placed upon him by his club manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

That, however, would be a great shame for a country where he is football royalty. Park captains South Korea and this was a performance that showed why he is so important, culminating in a splendid goal when he dispossessed the centre-half Loukas Vyntra and drove into the penalty area, holding off his opponent before slipping the ball beneath the oncoming goalkeeper, Alexandros Tzorvas.

Greece had been floundering from the seventh minute, when Lee Jung-soo scored with a close-range volley from a badly defended cross and near-post flick. There could, perhaps should, have been more goals, too. Maradona, Messi et al should not underestimate them.

"Argentina are one of the contenders for the final and they have a lot of very good players," Huh said. "They are a very tough team to play against. But I have told my players we have to remain confident no matter who our opponent is. If we do what we have to do, regardless of the result, we can manage to grow as a team. Our players still have rough edges. But just because our opponent is a strong team, I don't think they will be defeatist."

Mexico vs. South Africa: Mexicans realistic about World Cup prospects

South African fans and supporters from Mexico celebrate at Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg, South Africa prior the World Cup kickoff, Thursday.

In the opening World Cup match Friday morning, Mexico will come to a standstill to watch Mexico vs. South Africa. But only 20 percent of Mexicans think their team will advance to the semi-finals.

Mexico City
Around the world, work, play, and school will grind to a halt during World Cup matches.

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World Cup news coverage As World Cup 2010 kicks off, where South Africa stands 16 years after apartheid Traveling to the World Cup? Be sure to bring ear plugs. World Cup Concert & Friday schedule Mexico is no different. Government officials here are admonishing employees that absences during the World Cup will not be tolerated. But expect TVs to sprout in many office cubicles.

And while Mexican education authorities say school won't be canceled, the inaugural game Friday morning, featuring Mexico vs. South-Africa, can be watched on TV in class.

Polls show 90 percent of Mexicans are interested in the month-long global soccer tournament – including their president, Felipe Calderon, who is expected to attend the opening game in South Africa Friday.

IN PICTURES: Top Ten Players to Watch

Mexico has never made it past the quarter finals, and less than 20 percent say in a new poll that they believe Mexico will make it beyond there this year either.

Still, as its team, “El Tri,” opens the 2010 World Cup in the debut game against hosts South Africa, passions are high – even if expectations are more muted.

“Mexicans love soccer and love the Virgin of Guadalupe,” says Enrique Muñoz, a university student, just as a young woman approaches passing out fliers from a coffee shop advertising World Cup breakfast specials for the inaugural game. “Even those who do not love soccer still love watching the World Cup.”

According to a BVA-WIN poll published in the French publication Le Parisien/Aujourd'hui Monday, 90 percent of Mexicans say they are interested in the World Cup – one of the most enthusiastic nations of those polled – compared to just 56 percent of the French who care enough to turn on their television sets.

Why Mexico has high hopes
Mexico heads into the games particularly buoyed this year, after beating Italy, former World Cup champions, 2-1 in an exhibition game. That made it Mexico´s eighth win in 12 exhibition games. They lost two of the 12: against England and the Netherlands, and played draws with Ecuador and Iceland.

“We're going to the World Cup without fear of success," Tri coach Javier Aguirre was quoted as saying in the Associated Press. "We've played Italy, England and the Netherlands ... and we are here."

Ahead of Friday´s match, Mexican striker Guillermo Franco seemed to acknowledge how many people – in Mexico and beyond – will have their eyes on the team. "It's a blessing from God, not everyone has the opportunity to kick off the World Cup, and we're aware that millions of people will be watching," he told reporters on Wednesday.

U.S. defeats Australia, 3-1 in final World Cup tuneup

ROODEPOORT, South Africa — A warm and sunny afternoon on the South African high veldt. Dry brown hills topped by dark green trees. A yellow-brown dirt road running downhill from the skyline, the pathway patrolled by police on horseback.

At the bottom of the slope, Roodepoort Athletics Stadium, a small track and field facility with an emerald soccer pitch set inside its rust-red oval track. Beyond the fence, bare fields and a muddy dam, fringed by bulrushes.

The prevailing sound: the ear-splitting buzz of the vuvuzelas, the plastic horns blown with enthusiasm by fans but drowning out all else.

That was the setting Saturday for the U.S. World Cup team as it played Australia in its final tuneup one week before taking on England, when reality replaces simulation.

The result was of little importance, but in the end the Americans were 3-1, winners, the first two goals coming courtesy of Edson Buddle and the third from Herculez Gomez.

Of greater import was how Coach Bob Bradley’s walking wounded would perform, if at all; whether the U.S. would be able to plug the holes in its defense that were apparent in recent games against the Czech Republic and Turkey, and how the new-look attack would do.

The answers were soon forthcoming.

Forward Jozy Altidore did not play, his “mild ankle sprain” being enough to see him rested ahead of the June 12 opener against Wayne Rooney and the rest of England’s high-octane lineup.

Defender Oguchi Onyewu did not start, which means that if he plays against England he would go into that match not having played a full 90 minutes of soccer for eight months, or since the U.S. defeated Honduras to clinch its place in South Africa.

Onyewu underwent surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his left knee in October and has been on the mend ever since. He has yet to prove that he has regained full mobility and match sharpness, but on Saturday he came on for the final half-hour and seemed more or less fine.

“I’m feeling good,” Onyewu said. “This is the third game back since my injury, and I’m progressively feeling better.”

Defensively, in fact, the U.S. appeared more organized than it had in the 4-2 loss to the Czechs and even in the 2-1 victory over the Turks.

Bradley used Steve Cherundolo and Carlos Bocanegra as his outside backs, right and left, respectively, with Jay DeMerit and Clarence Goodson in the center. Onyewu later replaced Goodson.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard came away satisfied with the performance.

“We can always get better at everything,” he said. “I can’t pinpoint just one thing, but things are starting to click. We’re feeling good about our last two results, coming from behind against Turkey and in this one, where we kind of controlled things.”

Bocanegra, the U.S. captain, said he believes the defense is coming together.

“Today I thought in the first half our lines were better,” he said. “We were more compact as a team in general. So I think that was a big improvement from the games against the Czech Republic and Turkey.”

Cherundolo, who set up Buddle’s second goal with a surging run down the right flank and a pinpoint cross that Buddle banged in with a sharp downward header, echoed the sentiment.
“I think we took another step in the right direction this afternoon,” he said. “I think the tactical discipline was there, over a longer period of time today as opposed to the last two games.”
Bradley, who has a week left to figure out who to play up front, on Saturday opted for Buddle and Robbie Findley. Buddle rewarded him with a fourth-minute goal on a stinging 17-yard shot before his headed goal in the 31st minute.

The two strikes were the first for the national team by the Galaxy forward, but Bradley is not tipping his hand. “Edson continues to get more comfortable within the group,” was all he would say.

Altidore probably will be back in time for the England game, Gomez’s goal in injury time just before the final whistle was his second in three games. Findley played the full 90 minutes, opened up the Aussie defense but wasted two clear scoring chances by shooting wide.

“We still have a few things to work out,” Cherundolo said.

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ESPN adds 3-D to its World Cup offerings

The game opener, South Africa versus Mexico, is scheduled to kick off the 3-D Network, which will televise up to 25 soccer matches.


U.S. soccer team midfielder Landon Donovan is interviewed after the U.S. World Cup roster was announced at the ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn., on May 26, 2010. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press / May 25, 2010)

When Landon Donovan scores a goal for team U.S.A. (he will, right?), World Cup soccer fans watching from their living rooms will have the chance to experience the moment in a new way — in 3-D.

ESPN launches its 3-D network Friday with the first game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup competition as host nation South Africa plays Mexico in Johannesburg. The network plans to carry up to 25 soccer matches in 3-D, which lends heightened realism to televised coverage of sporting events.

"When a player scores a goal and runs off to the side, pulling off his shirt and waving it, you'll see the depth of field behind him," said Jonathan Pannaman, ESPN's senior director of technology.

To be sure, the audience for the inaugural 3-D telecast will be limited. Fewer than 1 million sets in the U.S. are capable of displaying these newly dimensionalized images — which can be seen only with the aid of special glasses — out of 110 million households, according to the Consumer Electronics Assn.. And even this new generation of TVs requires a source for the 3-D signal, such as satellite service DirecTV or, on the East Coast, cable operator Comcast Corp.


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Still, consumers are showing a growing appreciation for 3-D as more and more people experience it in theaters. About 1 in 4 adults online said they had watched a 3-D movie in the last year — and 40% said they preferred it over flat 2-D renditions of movie and television shows, according to a study conducted by the Entertainment and Technology Center at the University of Southern California for the electronics trade group.

ESPN has been tinkering with the technology for more than two years before deciding it was ready for prime time. It will be showcased as part of the network's extensive World Cup coverage in conjunction with sister network ABC, which contemplates carrying all 60 games live with expert commentators.

Kevin Stolworthy, ESPN's senior vice president of technology, said the network is still learning how best to take advantage of 3-D in a way that enhances the experience — and avoids projectiles-into-the-eyes gimmickry. "The goal will be to immerse you in the sport, to give you a seat at the stadium," Stolworthy said. "We're not going to do as much reaching out of the screen to you."

FIFA, soccer's international governing body, will provide the World Cup soccer feed in 3-D using specially equipped cameras. But over the course of the year, ESPN plans to cover at least 60 additional live sporting events — including the X Games, the 2010 college football ACC Championship and college basketball and NBA games. Other networks, including Discovery, are also preparing to use the new technology.

These 3-D broadcasts are likely to feature fewer quick cuts to capture the action. Instead, cameras will be positioned to capture the entire field of play — an approach that exploits the technology's ability to simulate depth, making the field appear to extend into the television screen. Similarly, there will be fewer close-ups because the image flattens.

The number of graphics will be dramatically reduced as ESPN figures out how to position the graphics against the action on the field. "You're going to see more change as we evolve over the year," Stolworthy said.

Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times

Last Minute World Cup Accommodation in South Africa

The latest survey seems to indicate that requirements will be satisfactorily met, and last minute world cup accommodation in South Africa may not pose a big problem, what with many organizations and resorts coming forward with hosting arrangements like bed & breakfast.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) June 4, 2010 -- The 19th FIFA World Cup 2010 is round the corner – from 11 June to 11 July 2010. The premier international football tournament will be held at 10 venues in South Africa – two in Johannesburg and one each in Durban, Cape Town, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Rustenburg and Nelspruit.

With so much of advance notice, most fans would have made arrangements sufficiently early for their accommodation. However, as is common in any segment of tourists, there will be that lot which always postpones making arrangements to the last minute. In fact, there were concerns initially as to whether sufficient number of beds could be found for this football extravaganza, since a conservative estimate pegged the incoming tourists to be around 300,000. But the latest survey seems to indicate that requirements will be satisfactorily met, and last minute world cup accommodation in South Africa may not pose a big problem, what with many organizations and resorts coming forward with hosting arrangements like bed & breakfast. This is over and above all the hotel chains, home stays and lodges with bigger rooms that can accommodate more people at moderate rates. Most of them provide breakfast too.

These new facilities for such last minute tourists also comprise facilities such as banking, food & beverage stalls, tourism information desks, beer stalls and access to internet.

Proximity to shopping and entertainment areas and stadia is another advantage.

If you are used to more luxurious lodgings, it is better to book with the more prominent chain hotels like Peermont Resorts, who boast of providing an exciting stay and gaming experience South Africa.

For last minute world cup accommodation in South Africa, another alternative is the guesthouses, whose owners are going all out to give their guests a memorable experience. A homely atmosphere will be their prime concern

World Cup fans worried over plastic 2010 South Africa Fifa World Cup NEWS CENTRE May 30, 2010

Football fans heading to the World Cup in South Africa have been warned not to take excess cash after research revealed many do not trust plastic.

More than third (37%) are more worried about the security of their cards overseas than at home, a survey found.

As a result around seven out of 10 people stuff their pockets full of cash to minimise their chances of falling foul of credit card fraudsters.

Tens of thousands of Britons are expected to travel to South Africa during the month-long tournament, which kicks off on June 11.

David Divitt of electronic payments company ACI Worldwide, which commissioned the YouGov poll, warned that wads of banknotes can attract trouble.

He said: "Taking South Africa as a topical destination of choice, the use of cash as a bank card replacement defies all logic. There are numerous risks in carrying sums of banknotes around and the fact that more than two-thirds of consumers using their cards overseas take this course of preventative action is very concerning.

"Our advice to people is to use cards but use them sensibly, taking the appropriate precautions."

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Soccer: All Whites' win greatest ever, says Herbert

Serbia 0 All Whites 1

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert was elated about his team's 1-0 victory over Serbia today, labelling it the best win in New Zealand soccer history.

A Shane Smeltz goal in the 22nd minute was enough to secure victory over Serbia, the world's 15th-ranked team, in the World Cup warm-up friendly in Klagenfurt, Austria.

"For us it's a fantastic result, it's the best we've ever had in the history of the game, to beat a team at that level," Herbert said.

The victory trumped New Zealand's unforgettable World Cup qualifying win over Bahrain in Wellington last November.

"It's going to take a bit to take away the euphoria of November 14 but I think playing a team ranked that high in the world and to beat them here is a terrific result," he said.

New Zealand, ranked 78th in the world, were heavy underdogs entering the match, so the result let the soccer world know the All Whites were a force to be reckoned with, he said.

"I think around the world it's probably going to send a few little messages."

The All Whites were without vice-captain Tim Brown, who underwent surgery on a fractured shoulder last week, and key striker Chris Killen, who missed the game in order to get married, but still created goalscoring opportunities.

"It's showing the depth of the squad," Herbert said.

"We're always likely to score now, whoever we play."

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World Cup 2010: Free Visas For Ticket Holding Visitors

World Cup visitors are set to get preferential treatment in South Africa and their movement will be simplified with free visas.

With the FIFA World Cup fever spreading around the globe, the host country South Africa is on track to issue free visas to football fans and process the thousands of visitors expected in the country next month according to Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

While addressing the Joint Committees on the State of Readiness for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Minister said FIFA employees were being awarded visas and that as of Sunday the department had issued 3500 work permits.

Those with World Cup tickets are set to be awarded free visas and dedicated lanes are being set aside for those going to the tournament. Specific branded lanes are in the process of being set up at King Shaka in Durban, Cape Town International Airport and at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. FIFA delegations and teams are set to be given priority treatment, Dlamini-Zuma told BuaNEWS.

The department was also training volunteers to work at the airports in assisting visitors.

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