FIFA 2010 NEWS UPDATE

South Africa vs Mexico Live World Cup 2010 South Africa watch Online TV

2010-06-11T17:21:00.001+06:00

Here Every one can watch and enjoy World Cup 2010,, match between South Africa vs Mexico . This two team match is impotent for both.

South Africa vs. Mexico
Date : 11 June , 2010
Time : 14:00 until, 16:00 (GMT/UTC)
Live/Repeat : Live
Fifa World Cup - 2010

Group A

>LIVE FIFA WORLD CUP 2010<

From cast-off to King?

2010-06-10T15:59:00.004+06:00

Ledley King luxuriated in the supposition of a palatial footballing future. It was June 2005. The hulking defender had represented England at UEFA EURO 2004. He had not missed a second – or barely a tackle – in Tottenham Hotspur's latest Premier League campaign.
Martin Jol, his club manager, championed him as the best centre-back in the country. Sven-Goran Eriksson, his international coach, believed him capable of nullifying the world's best attackers after witnessing an impenetrable performance in a goalless draw at Manchester United five months earlier. Arsenal's Thierry Henry, then in his irrepressible pomp, described the Londoner as "one the best defenders I've ever played against".
King was indomitable in the air, a masterful timer of tackles, two-footed, and a calm, competent distributor of the ball. His fan club was swelling. At 24, he appeared destined to perform on the sport's grandest stages.

Two years down the road, however, that future had seemingly unravelled. A fractured bone in his foot had denied King the chance to go to Germany 2006, and he played just four games during the 2007/08 Premier League season due to a knee injury. It was one that was chronic. It was one that forced King to stop training properly. It was one that would, consensually, prevent him achieving what a player of his commitment and class should.

What amazes me is that he doesn't train, but then plays as if it is so easy. He is like a magnet for the ball, the best centre-half in the country.

Jamie Redknapp on Ledley King

King the fantasist still dreamed of pulling on an England jersey at the FIFA World Cup™. King the realist was gradually, grudgingly contemplating premature retirement.

However, despite the physical pain, and the inability to train or play two matches within quick succession, King stubbornly refused to hang up his boots. The Tottenham captain duly enjoyed a decent 2008/09 campaign and, although he only appeared in exactly half of his side's games last term, when he was on the pitch, he excelled.
"What amazes me is that he doesn't train, but then plays as if it is so easy," said former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp after King captained Spurs to an improbable fourth-placed finish, and a place in next season's UEFA Champions League, at the expense of big-spending Manchester City and Liverpool. "He is like a magnet for the ball, a thoroughbred of a defender, the best centre-half in the country."
Redknapp – son of King's manager at Tottenham, Harry – campaigned for the defender, who failed to play a single South Africa 2010 qualifier, to be taken to the tournament, although he accepted it was a long shot. "It is going to be hard to pick both Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King," he said. "If one – or both of them – either breaks down or can't play back-to-back matches, it will leave the centre of defence exposed."
That hypothesis did not dissuade Fabio Capello, who surprisingly named King alongside Ferdinand in England's provisional 30-man squad for the FIFA World Cup. The Italian then afforded the 29-year-old a chance to stake a claim for a place on the plane in a friendly against Mexico. King seized it, scoring a header in a 3-1 victory. He was consequently named in the final 23.

However many minutes I get I believe I'll be ready. I can guarantee that I will give 100 per cent. I feel I can perform at the highest level.

Ledley King

That was not King’s last step up the England ladder. An injury to Ferdinand – coincidentally a knee injury – has left him in line to partner John Terry, whom he played alongside as a schoolboy in east London, at the heart of the 1966 champions' defence.
So, can King, unable to train properly, cope with the prospect of playing seven matches in less than 29 days? "I believe I can," he told FIFA. "I'm doing everything I can. The medical team here and the manager have been great with their support, and have given me the best preparation and every chance to do that."

As for his solitary preparation, King believes the prize validates the punishment. "I love football and know that at the end of not such an enjoyable week, there's a game. That's where my preparation goes to – to making the game. I'm normally in the gym or the swimming pool, working on fitness.
"There is not a day goes by where you don't think about the knee," he added. "It's something I have to deal with. Every time I get up and walk, there are restrictions with it. There were times I wondered whether my time was running out, but I wouldn't say I doubted whether I would ever get back in an England shirt.

"I think I’ve shown this season that I can play games in quick succession. However many minutes I get I believe I'll be ready. I can guarantee is that I will give 100 per cent. I feel I can perform at the highest level."

Herbert happy with display

2010-06-10T15:59:00.001+06:00

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert was content with his side's performance during their final 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ warm-up match against Chile, despite it culminating in a 2-0 defeat.
The All Whites, who are at the tournament for only the second time in their history, want to prove they can compete with the big boys and a recent narrow 2-1 defeat to Australia before a 1-0 win over Serbia has given them a glimmer of hope.
Played in three 30-minute periods, the match against Chile was not classed as an official international but instead a chance for both sides to try different combinations and give fringe players time on the pitch.

I think we got pretty much everything we wanted.

Ricki Herbert, New Zealand coach

Herbert took full advantage of the opportunity, making eight substitutions and three positional switches. After two even half-hour spells, Chile shaded the affair with goals from Gonzalo Fierro and Esteban Paredes in the final third.
"I think we got pretty much everything we wanted," said Herbert of the match. "The first two periods we went with a stronger side and didn't make too many changes for 60 minutes and we were very comfortable. Everybody was going to get a shot so the last 30 was always going to be tough for us so I'm very pleased."
All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen did not travel to Nelspruit but instead stayed at the team base camp near Johannesburg to recover from an ear infection. He is expected to be fit to play Slovakia in Rustenburg on 15 June in their opening Group F game.
New Zealand will face defending champions Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay in Group F.

Holders content to lie low

2010-06-10T15:58:00.001+06:00

Reigning world champions they may be, as well as the second-most successful international team ever after Brazil, with four FIFA World Cup™ victories; nevertheless, Italy’s players find themselves in the unorthodox position of approaching this year’s tournament as dark horses. This paradox is unlikely to overly concern Marcello Lippi though, for whom the mantra remains more than ever “the team above all else.”
Nine FIFA World Cup winners have retained their place in the squad: Daniele De Rossi, Alberto Gilardino, Vicenzo Iaquinta, Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, Gennaro Gattuso, Gianluca Zambrotta, Mauro Camoranesi and Fabio Cannavaro. Although just two of these players, Gilardino and De Rossi, are still in their twenties four years down the line from Germany 2006, the squad’s average age has barely jumped at all, from 28.8 to 28.9. That said, this is still the oldest pool of players to represent La Nazionale at the global showpiece, despite the absences of veterans Alessandro del Piero and Francesco Totti, both overlooked this time around.
The future is present
“Everyone has always said that I’m too loyal to the players that lifted the World Cup," said Lippi. "But if you look closely, you’ll find that I’ve changed half the squad compared to the 23 that were in Berlin in 2006. There are also lots of young players that have sufficient experience to come in and do a job. They represent the future of Italian football, but must also be its present. If I had to lead this team for an entire season, I probably would have made other choices. But for a month, it shouldn’t pose a problem. And don’t forget, there’s many a good tune played on an old fiddle.”

The performance of Gennaro Gattuso in Italy’s recent 1-1 draw with Switzerland confirms this theory. Despite having spent practically the entire season on the bench at AC Milan, ‘Ringhio’ demonstrated why his coach has such confidence in him, putting in a performance full of energy and fighting spirit.

Don’t forget, there’s many a good tune played on an old fiddle.

Marcello Lippi defends his 'oldies'

An old hand at ignoring media criticism and hype, Lippi has overseen a changing of the guard in defence, bringing in the burgeoning talents of Salvatore Bocchetti and Leonardo Bonucci, both 23 years of age. New faces can be found in midfield too, where Riccardo Montolivo, 25, and Claudio Marchisio, 24, have a good chance of featuring at some point. The Italian coach is a keen admirer of the latter, seeing in him a key player in the making: “He is adept at finding space and is always ready to take opportunities that present themselves.”

In attack, Gilardino remains an unassailable first choice, but Giampaolo Pazzini and last-gasp call-up Fabio Quagliarella both reminded Lippi of their presence during Italy’s recent warm-up matches. And it would be foolish to forget the in-form Antonio di Natale, top scorer in Serie A last season with 29 goals. This abundance of striking talent should allow the defending champions to start with three up front, supported by a more solid-looking midfield and defence.
Match point
Injuries to Camoranesi and Pirlo prevented Lippi from trying out everything he had in mind in the games against Mexico and Switzerland. This does not appear to worry the wily coach, but he is a man with a good memory. After all, Italy also failed to win one single preparatory friendly match in the run-up to the 1998, 2002, and 2006 FIFA World Cups. The country’s last victory in a warm-up dates back to 1994 versus Costa Rica.
In fact, Italian fans, among the most superstitious in the world, came close to actually welcoming the draw with the Swiss. After all, the Helvetians also served as final sparring partners for the Squadra Azzurri in 1982 and in 2006. Each time the match ended in a 1-1 draw and each time Italy went on to secure the FIFA World Cup.
Lippi’s aura of calm can also be explained by the fact that there is much less pressure on him this time, given that he already knows that, whatever happens, he will hand over the reins to his successor Cesare Prandelli at the conclusion of South Africa 2010. In the meantime, pleased with the high levels of confidence in his squad, he has simply asked that his players take inspiration from current events: “I want to have eleven Schiavones in the team every time we play,” he says, making reference to the Italian female tennis player who pulled off a surprise win at the French Open last weekend.

World Cup fever infects Asia

2010-06-10T15:57:00.003+06:00

FIFA World Cup™ fever is sweeping across Asia as hundreds of millions of fans in the football-mad region count down to the start of an event that's a sure-fire winner.

From Seoul to Sydney, Beijing to Bangkok, preparations are underway for tomorrow's kick-off thousands of miles away in South Africa, heralding a month of late nights and bleary-eyed mornings for many Asian fans.

"We're expecting the hotel lounge to be full every night," said Matthew Rashid, manager of the Equatorial in Kuala Lumpur, where many bars and pubs are already decked out with colourful bunting and posters. "Everyone's excited and I'll wear a jersey to work throughout the World Cup," said the Brazil supporter.

In Korea Republic giant screens are being set up in public squares, sports stadiums and other locations around the country for people to cheer on the national team. On the other side of the border in Korea DPR, fans will be following a rare appearance by their side, who have qualified for the event for the first time in 44 years.

In Tokyo, where interest in the sport has taken off since Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup, suited white-collar workers were among those taking a break from their hectic schedules for a screaming contest to warm up for kick-off. The winner was a man whose cry of "goal" lasted for 32 seconds. For those who prefer just to watch, Sony will provide 3D images of the action at about 500 sites around Japan.

Vietnam is also football-obsessed and the hugely anticipated event is expected to all but bring daily life to a halt, while in Afghanistan foreign troops will be crowding around every available television. Christoph Schmidt, a 31-year-old German-born US corporal in the 97th Military Police Battalion in Kandahar, had no doubts who he will supporting. "I am definitely for Germany. There is no debate," he said.

At Casey Station in Antarctica, Australian scientists will tune in over the radio when their team play Germany on Sunday. "They'll listen to it but they can't see it," a spokeswoman told AFP.

Stung by the national side's failure to qualify, Chinese fans can at least drown their sorrows while watching the matches at bars and parks across the nation, as well as at the South African pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai. While stock markets may see a dip in trading as investors turn their eyes to South Africa.

Yet while many businesses are happy to be infected with FIFA World Cup fever, others are bracing for a month of lost productivity. Some workers may take "sickies" after the matches or come to work intent on watching replays, said Deb Loveridge, chief executive of New Zealand human resources company Randstad.

In Sydney, massive crowds are expected at the International FIFA Fan Fest site at Darling Harbour, while other major viewing sites will be operating in Melbourne and Brisbane.

Greek expats offer warm welcome

2010-06-10T15:57:00.001+06:00

Greece could be forgiven for thinking they have home advantage when they take on Korea Republic in their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ opener on Saturday.

The reason? Port Elizabeth boasts a thriving Greek community, which numbers around 1,000 proud Hellenic ex-pats including Archie Charalambous, venue manager of this Eastern Cape city's brand new Nelson Mandela stadium. Greeks first arrived in Port Elizabeth around 100 years ago, as sea merchants," Charalambous told AFP as he oversaw the finishing touches to the ground that will play host to eight FIFA World Cup matches in all.

The former university lecturer and ardent football fan added: "We now number 300 families in Port Elizabeth. I'm first generation Greek, my parents were born in Cyprus." Charalambous recently stood down as chairman of the Greek community association in Port Elizabeth to devote himself to readying the 45,000 capacity venue with a view over the Indian Ocean for FIFA World Cup action.

"You don't need to ask me who I want to win on Saturday," he smiled, before asserting: "The stadium is ready, we're just applying the finishing touches.

"The last few days are always a little nervy, but everything has gone well. We're expecting 40,000 or so for Greece v South Korea - we had that size of crowd for the friendly between South Africa and Japan."

Barely one kilometre behind the stadium Father Georges Vakonakis was rubbing his hands in anticipation at watching the UEFA EURO 2004 champions in person. Vakonakis presides over a picture postcard white-walled and green slate roofed Greek Orthodox church built on top of a hill in 1958 to serve the Greek community.

He arrived in Port Elizabeth six years ago after a 14 year spell in Cameroon. The priest, his grey hair tied back in a ponytail, is, like Charalambous, itching for Greece to open their campaign with three points.

"I'll be there on Saturday wearing the Greek colours. I'm so excited and never believed I'd be watching Greece play in the World Cup in Port Elizabeth.

"I'll offer them a prayer but I don't think the team will come and visit my church - Otto Rehhagel is too strict! There are around 7,000 Greek fans due to attend the game."

Foreign managers on a mission

2010-06-10T15:56:00.002+06:00

The history books show that no foreign coach has ever led a country to success at a FIFA World Cup™. In recent years only the Dutchman Guus Hiddink has gone close taking Korea Republic to fourth place at the 2002 finals. Nonetheless, such records are there to be broken and there will be no less than 12 coaches in South Africa looking to put an end to the curse of the foreign coach.

Perhaps the most iconic of the twelve, and the only one to have already tasted success in the competition, is Carlos Alberto Parreira. At the age of 67 the Brazilian is preparing for his sixth FIFA World Cup as a coach. In addition to two forays with his native Brazil, in 1994 and 2006, this bona fide globetrotter coached Kuwait in 1982, United Arab Emirates in 1990 and Saudi Arabia in 1998.

“It would be very audacious to say that we have a chance of winning the World Cup, but I can safely say that we are prepared for anything that comes our way. We’ll do our utmost to make South Africans feel proud and will fight against each and every opponent. This is the message that I have been transmitting to my players, and they’ve picked up on it,” said the hosts’ coach with the Opening Match against Mexico fast approaching. It would seem that the Bafana Bafana squad are not alone in picking up on the coach’s clarion call. In a recent FIFA survey, 14 per cent of South Africans said they believe the host nation can go all the way, a figure bettered only by the 37 per cent who believe Brazil will take the title.

Another experienced coach who has taken the reins overseas is England supremo Fabio Capello. The Italian seems to have grasped the formula for quickly adapting to a team on foreign shores. “The most important thing is to understand where you are working,” he explained in a past interview with FIFA.com. “You have to understand the attitude of the players, of the country or the city. For example, in Milan people are more reserved; in Rome they are more passionate and so on. Only if you understand this can you opt for the most appropriate work methods to help the players and the team.”

Facts and FiguresNot only are Argentina and Germany two of the most respected nations in international football, they are also the countries that will provide the most coaches at 2010 FIFA World Cup. Aside from their own managers, two more from each country will be at the finals. Argentineans Marcelo Bielsa and Gerardo Martino will be in charge of Chile and Paraguay respectively, while German duo Ottmar Hitzfeld and Otto Rehhagel will be in the Switzerland and Greece dugouts respectively.

After impressing under Guus Hiddink in 2006, Australia have put their faith in another Dutchman in the shape of Pim Verbeek. Meanwhile, Colombian Reinaldo Rueda will be calling the shots for Honduras.

The first FIFA World Cup to be held in Africa will involve two coaches born on the continent: Algeria’s Rabah Saadane and Portugal’s Mozambique-born coach Carlos Queiroz. The remainder of the African sides have all entrusted foreign-born coaches to lead their bids for success on home soil.

Swede Lars Lagerback will be in the Nigeria hot-seat and has high hopes the Super Eagles can make a semi-finals appearance. “I have always been motivated by a will to win and to go a long way in tournaments, so I have no fear of failure. If you don’t believe in your own potential you have little right to be in the tournament. I think Nigeria have a good opportunity to go far,” he told FIFA.com.

Also coaching sides from Africa will be another Swede, Sven Goran Eriksson (Cote d’Ivoire), Frenchman Paul Le Guen (Cameroon) and the Serb Milovan Rajevac (Ghana). So is there more pressure, with it being the first tournament in Africa? Not for Rajevac: “It may be a bit of a cliche, but I don’t want any extra, unnecessary pressure. The only thing we’re concerning ourselves with is getting results: getting through the group stage and then the knockout rounds.” If Rajevac maintains that level of determination throughout the tournament, he might just get his name in those history books...

Ronaldo: Portugal will rise to the challenge

2010-06-09T09:19:00.001+06:00

Cristiano Ronaldo believes that being drawn in the toughest-looking of the FIFA World Cup™ groups could spur Portugal on to great things.

Carlos Queiroz's side open their Group G campaign against Côte d'Ivoire next Tuesday before further potentially tricky assignments against Korea DPR and Brazil.

But the Real Madrid star is not concerned by the magnitude of the task ahead. "I think Portugal is doing well. It's true that we play a very tough group stage but this helps us to improve even more," he said.

"Portugal is in a very good moment. It's true that the team has changed a lot. We will spend lots of time together before the tournament starts and that will help us to play a better World Cup this year. The first games of the group stage are very important."

Ronaldo believes his side and group rivals Brazil can count themselves among the six favourites for the showpiece event in South Africa. "Theoretically you can say that Spain, England, Italy, Germany, Brazil and Portugal are always the strongest candidates," he said.

"It will be a very special World Cup. Every player has the ambition to play such a tournament in order to showcase his abilities."

Spain tune-up with goalfest

2010-06-09T09:18:00.002+06:00

Fernando Torres made a scoring return from injury as Spain overpowered Poland 6-0 in their last warm-up match before departing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Torres came on after 66 minutes and showed no ill effects from the injury which had seen him miss the end of the season with Liverpool, but Andres Iniesta went off with a thigh problem, the Barcelona midfielder's fitness was the only concern for coach Vicente del Bosque.

Iniesta was involved as Spain cruised to a comfortable 2-0 lead at half-time. The Barcelona star brilliantly set up Spain's first two goals in the opening 15 minutes for David Villa and David Silva, and was in a class of his own for much of the first half, but was forced to depart before the interval after feeling a teak in his thigh. It looked to be just a precaution, but with just over a week until Spain's opening game, Del Bosque was not prepared to take any risks.

Xabi Alonso scored a third for Spain with a deflected effort early in the second half, before further strikes from Cesc Fabregas, Torres and Pedro rounded off an impressive victory late on. Murcia's La Condomina stadium enjoyed a carnival atmosphere as Spain's fans came to bid farewell to their side ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

Del Bosque opted for a dynamic 4-3-3 formation, with Villa up front, flanked by Iniesta on the left and David Silva on the right. Liverpool striker Torres, still recovering from a knee injury which required surgery in April, was kept in reserve, but the attacking quality on display was still impressive.

Iniesta was the man to inspire Spain early on. The Barcelona midfielder missed much of the season with a thigh problem, but was back to his very best in the opening stages of this match. The 26 year-old escaped down the left flank after 12 minutes, beat his marker and sent in an inviting cross for the advancing Villa, who slid in to turn the ball in from close range, although the last touch may have come off a Poland defender.

However, there was no doubting the second goal, which was created by a moment of genius from Iniesta. The Barcelona midfielder took up possession on the edge of the box, looked up and, crowded out by four Poland defenders, scooped an extraordinary pass over them all to Barcelona team-mate Xavi, who squared for the unmarked Silva to slot home with ease.

Iniesta continued to look lively, but was feeling his thigh in the lead-up to half-time and departed shortly before the interval. The second half was an even more one-sided affair.

Alonso made it three with a deflected low drive after Xavi had squared a well-worked free-kick seven minutes into the second period. Del Bosque rang the changes after that, with Jesus Navas, Sergio Ramos and Fabregas all coming on. And Fabregas was quickly involved, slotting home the fourth two minutes later with an angled drive past Tomasz Kuszczak in the Poland goal.

Torres then came on to huge cheers and was also on the scoresheet within nine minutes, slotting home Pedro's low cross from close range to make it 5-0. Pedro make it six with a lobbed effort with nine minutes left which Kuszczak tried to palm away but the ball had already crossed the line. The Manchester United keeper denied Navas a seventh Spain goal shortly afterwards.

Marquez boost for Mexico

2010-06-09T09:17:00.004+06:00

Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez has given Mexico a major boost ahead of Friday's 2010 FIFA World Cup™ opener against hosts South Africa by returning to training.

Marquez was withdrawn at half-time in last week's friendly win over Italy with a leg injury and it was feared the team's best-known player could miss at least the opening fixture.

But the indications are now that Marquez will be fit for the game and there is further good news regarding striker Guillermo Franco, who has also returned to full training after a muscle complaint.

Drogba-less Côte d'Ivoire held by Swiss club

2010-06-09T09:17:00.002+06:00

Injured Côte d'Ivoire striker Didier Drogba stayed out of the public eye on Tuesday as his team-mates missed a host of chances in a 1-1 2010 FIFA World Cup™ warm-up draw against Swiss second division club Lausanne.

Drogba, who fractured a forearm in a friendly against Japan last Friday, was not seen during the game at Colovray stadium in Nyon, western Switzerland. The Côte d'Ivoire football federation had signalled more than day ago that the Chelsea player was expected to follow the squad from the touchline here, after an operation in a hospital in Berne on Saturday.

Lausanne went ahead completely against the run of play in the first half to with a low header by defender Guillaume Katz, in one of their only chances in 90 minutes. Côte d'Ivoire kept the bulk of possession in a slow-paced game the day before the squad is due to fly out to South Africa after a two week training camp in the Swiss Alps.

Coach Sven Goran Eriksson fielded all his remaining strikers in the match in Drogba's absence. But the west Africans were defeated by wayward finishing and last ditch blocks despite at least half a dozen clear chances.

Côte d'Ivoire suffered from the lack of a clear pointman until Lille's Gervinho spared his side some blushes. Ivorian spokesman Ouattara Hegaud said on Monday that no decision has yet been taken on 32-year-old Drogba's fitness for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Under FIFA rules, a replacement can be drafted in until the day before a team's first game on 15 June against Portugal.

Côte d'Ivoire will play in Group G, where they will also face Brazil and Korea DPR.

Cahill sits out Aussie training

2010-06-09T09:16:00.002+06:00

Key man Tim Cahill failed to complete a full training session with the Australian squad on Tuesday just five days out from Australia's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ opener against Germany.

Cahill completed just the warm-up and light work at the session in the Johannesburg evening before sitting out the practice match which followed. The Everton attacking midfielder injured his neck in Australia's 3-1 friendly loss to the USA last Saturday and was taken to hospital for observation.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek said scans had shown no serious injury, but Cahill is yet to train fully since that match. Cahill avoided media questioning about the extent of his injury prior to training.

While his team-mates played the practice match, Cahill was reduced to shooting for goal and light jogging. "I'm fine," was all Cahill offered when asked about his fitness.

Cahill is Australia's most important strike weapon going into the match and has the remarkable strike-rate of 20 goals in 40 international appearances. Better news was that senior Socceroos Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton returned to full training without apparent discomfort. Emerton has been battling a calf injury while Kewell was troubled by a persistent groin injury.

Honda aims to drive Japan forward

2010-06-09T09:16:00.000+06:00

Japan will enter their FIFA World Cup™ opener against Cameroon on Monday on the back of four straight defeats but there is no danger of them retreating into their defensive shells.

This is the view of playmaker Keisuke Honda, who insists that attack remains the best form of defence for a Japan side who, as the lowest-ranked team, can be considered outsiders to advance from Group E, which also contains the Netherlands and Denmark. Speaking to FIFA from Japan's base in George in the Western Cape, the CSKA Moscow midfielder said: "If you want to survive in the world of football, attack is the best strategy. Our coach says he really wants to bring in an offensive style of football."
Coach Takeshi Okada rammed home that message after the 2-0 loss to Côte d'Ivoire in Japan's final pre-tournament friendly in Sion, Switzerland last Friday, telling his players they were "not aggressive enough" in the final phase. Okada, who felt Japan needed the tough test the Ivorians provided, is hoping for a positive reaction. "Now we're at this stage, it would be better if they took a defiant attitude and were spurred on by the situation," he said of his squad.
When Japan qualified for these finals, Okada cited the semi-finals as his target in South Africa. This is the Asian side's fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance but while they reached the Round of 16 as hosts in 2002, they are still seeking a first victory beyond their own shores. Moreover, Okada, who was in charge for Japan's first finals appearance in 1998, has not seen his team win since a 2-0 AFC Asian Cup qualifying victory over Bahrain in March. Since then they have suffered defeats against Serbia, Korea Republic, England and Côte d’Ivoire.

If you want to survive in the world of football, attack is the best strategy.

Keisuke Honda, Japan midfielder.

Those results have provided cause for concern – the fact they scored jus once in the four games suggests the traditional problem of scoring goals remains, despite Okada's good intentions. Yet there have been some positives, notably the display in the narrow 2-1 loss to England last month. Japan pressed from the outset in the friendly in Graz, Austria and took an early lead through Marcus Tulio Tanaka. After losing to two second-half own goals – one of them from Tanaka, who also put into his own net against the Ivorians – they received praise from former national coach Ivica Osim.
"That's how Japan ought to and are able to play," Osim said. "The players were not in awe or scared of their opponents, and I don't think I've ever seen that from a Japanese team." Okada also sounded an upbeat note, saying: "We created good chances and our players worked well. I think we can see a path to our first game."
Okada recognises that Japan do not have the star quality of other teams in the competition but is glad for the European experience of Honda and his fellow midfielder Makoto Hasebe, who plays for Wolfsburg in Germany. Both played UEFA Champions League football in 2009/10, with Honda striking a free-kick winner against Spanish side Sevilla in the last 16. The coach said: "In our football there is not necessarily one individual who excels. We are all in the game together, that's our characteristic. Within this concept, the central players are the young Hasebe and Honda.

"He plays for CSKA Moscow now so I think his name is quite known in Europe. He is one of the Japanese players who can use their international experience." Honda himself is eager to put that experience to good use in the first Group E test against Cameroon in Mangaung/Bloemfontein. He turns 24 the day before the game but does not expect any favours from the crowd inside the Free State Stadium, whom he believes will get right behind their fellow Africans. Yet he is not daunted. "I suppose the atmosphere will be like an away game but we'll just have to play our own game and I want to show them that the Japanese are strong."
The right noises are coming out of the camp and we will know soon enough whether Okada's men can put their losing sequence behind them and convert words into action.

Culina: We're better than in 2006

2010-06-09T09:15:00.000+06:00

Australia midfielder Jason Culina believes the Socceroos are a better side than four years ago when the team made history by qualifying for the Round of 16 at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™. Culina’s energetic contribution in the heart of the Australian midfield has made him a virtual ever-present since his debut in 2005.

A starter in all four matches at Germany 2006, as well as at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, Culina is well positioned to comment on the development of the team over recent years. The majority of the line-up for the Socceroos’ 2010 FIFA World Cup opener against Germany in Durban on 13 March will be made up of veterans from the campaign of four years ago, a fact which Culina believes is a major positive.

“Four years on, we’re all a lot more experienced, we’re all a lot older and you know we know what to expect this time,” said Culina, speaking exclusively to FIFA. “We know it’s not easy and there are a lot of great teams here at the World Cup, especially in our group, we have Germany, Serbia and Ghana, it’s going to be a very difficult task. We’re just going to go out there and enjoy ourselves, I think the most important thing is to enjoy the whole occasion, soak it all in, experience the great experiences that the World Cup has to offer. So we’re working as hard as we possibly can, I honestly feel that we are a better team this time round and hopefully we can go out there and show it against Germany come the weekend."

Still only 29, Culina returned to the A-League last year to turn out for new club Gold Coast United after a highly successful decade in the Netherlands. The Socceroos stalwart, who has formed a solid combination in a defensive midfield role alongside Vince Grella, is set to collect his 50th cap against the three-time world champions on Sunday, ahead of other group matches against Ghana and Serbia. His experience will add further to a team missing only Mark Viduka of those players who started all four matches at Germany 2006.

“I think we are well aware of what can happen to us if we’re not fully focused. There are a lot of great teams in this World Cup and especially in our group,” said Culina. “We’re going to come up against some tough teams, but this time round hopefully we’re a lot street-smarter, wiser and know how to handle those sorts of situations. The boys are more experienced now, we know what to expect, so we’re just going to go out there and give it our best.

“I think we’ve got to go out there and try and get something from it, whether it be a draw, a win - a win would be fantastic. But look, against the Germans, they’re a great team, so if we can get a draw that would be fantastic. But we’ve got to go into every game believing we can get a result, no matter who we’re playing against.”

“The team camaraderie here is absolutely fantastic; we’ve all been playing with each other for a number of years, some guys I’ve been playing with for ten to 15 years. You know these guys really well, you know what they want when they’re on the field, off the field it’s just a breeze. It may just well be the last World Cup for some of us, but we all want to play, we’re all committed to the national team, we love our country and we want to keep going as much as possible. I’m sure that the young boys who come in will do just as good a job because we’re blooding them now, giving them a chance and that’s exactly what they need, the experience. So I’m sure and I’m confident that Australia will continue on with what we’ve done in the past.”

With three Eredivisie titles with PSV Eindhoven on his resume, and having been schooled in the Dutch football system since his teenage years, Culina is well placed to appraise Australia coach Pim Verbeek. “(Pim’s) been absolutely fantastic for us and he’s a very intelligent guy, knows his football really really well and he’s going to be very well prepared for this. He knows the Germans well, being Dutch, so hopefully that will give us a bit of an advantage. Whether it be a tactical game or a physical game, the better team at the end of the day will come out on top.”

Portugal poised after Mozambique win

2010-06-08T23:44:00.000+06:00

Portugal shrugged off the loss of winger Nani to brush aside Mozambique in their final FIFA World Cup™ warm-up match today.

All the goals came in the second half as Danny opened the scoring before Hugo Almeida added a late brace. The match was played only hours after Portugal confirmed that Nani had been ruled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury, with his expected replacement Ruben Amorim not yet having joined up with the squad.

However, Portugal did not appear to miss either player as they racked up a total of 24 shots at goal, albeit with only nine on target. In Nani's absence, Raul Meireles started on the left and Deco began on the right, with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo having to settle for a place on the bench.

They were rarely able to trouble Mozambique goalkeeper Otshudi Lama in the first half, but things improved after the break. The breakthrough came in the 52nd minute when Deco played in Danny who fired in from close range. The Zenit St Petersburg forward had two more chances to add to the score before turning provider in the 75th minute, with his pass finding half-time substitute Almeida who had a simple finish from close range.

Almeida then got the third seven minutes from time with another close-range effort. Ronaldo came into the action just after the hour mark and attempted several shots, without truly testing the goalkeeper.

Julio Cesar ready for Brazil mission

2010-06-08T23:43:00.001+06:00

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar will reclaim his position for the five-time champions when they open their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ campaign, despite missing yesterday's final warm-up romp over Tanzania.

Tottenham Hotspur's Heurelho Gomes stepped in for the 5-1 win in Dar Es Salaam after the Inter Milan man had to go off in last week's 3-0 victory over Zimbabwe with a back problem.

Since then Julio Cesar has been undergoing physiotherapy and swimming sessions at the team's Hotel Fairway headquarters outside Johannesburg, and working with goalkeeping coach Wendell Ramalho.

But coach Dunga today made it clear that Julio Cesar is his first choice for next Tuesday's Group G opener against Korea DPR. They later face Portugal and Côte d'Ivoire.

Martino positive over squad fitness

2010-06-08T23:42:00.004+06:00

Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino expects to have all 23 members of his squad fit and available for their World Cup opener against Italy next Monday. The South Americans have been nursing a number of players in the build-up to the Group F curtain-raiser in Cape Town, but Martino is upbeat over their fitness.
"We are actually in pretty good shape," he said. "Last week we had some players with various problems - Oscar Cardozo, Nelson Haedo, Edgar Benitez, Edgar Barreto and Rodolfo Gamarra have been recovering.

Overall, I would say we have great prospects for that first game. We can count on any of the 23 players.

Gerado Martino, Paraguay coach

"Lucas Barrios has virtually overcome the slight injury he picked up in the game against Greece (a 2-0 friendly win in Switzerland last Wednesday, in which Barrios scored the second goal).
"Roque Santa Cruz has had special care after playing almost four friendly matches. Overall, I would say we have great prospects for that first game. We can count on any of the 23 players."

Behrami to resume training

2010-06-08T23:42:00.002+06:00

Valon Behrami's hopes of lining up for Switzerland's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa opener against Spain on 16 June have been given a boost after he was cleared to resume training this week following a thigh injury.
The West Ham United player was forced off after 57 minutes of Saturday's warm-up match against Italy in Geneva and there were fears the injury could rule him out of the South Africa showpiece.

We are optimistic he can train again on Wednesday or Thursday.

Cuno Wetzel, Switzerland team doctor

X-rays revealed Behrami has suffered a minor muscular injury but Swiss team doctor Cuno Wetzel nevertheless expects the player to return to training as early as tomorrow.
"The first images show no serious problem," Wetzel told West Ham United's official website.
"The healing process is indeed more difficult to predict, but we are optimistic he can train again on Wednesday or Thursday.

Pirlo hopeful for Slovakia clash

2010-06-08T23:41:00.001+06:00

Influential midfielder Andrea Pirlo believes he will be fit to play in Italy's final group game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ against Slovakia. The 31-year-old was this week described as "irreplaceable" by Italy boss Marcello Lippi, but is set to miss at least the opening two games of Azzurri's FIFA World Cup™ defence.
Pirlo suffered a calf injury in last Thursday's friendly with Mexico and is expected to take up to three weeks to recover, meaning even a return for the 24 June match with the Slovaks is not assured. "Over the last few days I have been recovering and I feel less pain," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "The situation is encouraging as the lesion has started to heal. I have faith, even though the return will be defined step by step."

I have faith, even though the return will be defined step by step.

Andrea Pirlo, Italy midfielder

Pirlo played a key role in Italy's success in Germany four years ago, when Lippi was also in charge, and the AC Milan playmaker hailed the influence of his boss. "He always has nice words for me," he added. "We always call each other. There is mutual respect. He has always been close to me and I thank him for this."
Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon echoed Pirlo's sentiments and claims that Lippi has been a motivating force for the squad. Azzurri have not been convincing in their recent friendlies as they followed a 2-1 defeat against Mexico with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland. And while Buffon, who is readying himself for his fourth FIFA World Cup™ finals, admits Italy are not favourites he believes Lippi can inspire them to another memorable success.
"We can see that Lippi believes in it very strongly," he said. "And we want to give him another epic month, we are sure of this. Our performances after 2006 mean we are not favourites. Maybe Brazil are the biggest favourites compared to other teams. But, we will refresh people's memories in a week or so."

Oblak expects rough ride

2010-06-08T23:40:00.001+06:00

Former Slovenia coach Branko Oblak admits his country will have a hard time advancing to the knockout stages of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
Slovenia kick-off their campaign against Algeria in Polokwane on Sunday before undertaking more daunting-looking Group C encounters against England and the USA.

I think that we have to overcome Algeria, as the other two games will be tough.

Branko Oblak, former Slovenia coach

Oblak, who led Slovenia between 2004 and 2006, believes victory against Algeria this weekend will be a minimum requirement if they are to have any hope of reaching the Round of 16.
"We have a huge desire for victory," said Oblak, who represented Yugoslavia 50 times in a playing career that took in spells at Schalke and Bayern Munich.
"I think that we have to overcome Algeria, as the other two games will be tough. But I hope that Slovenia will progress."

Palermo living out a dream

2010-06-08T17:48:00.005+06:00

Veteran forward Martin Palermo, the oldest member of Diego Maradona's squad, is living out a dream as he trains with Argentina in Pretoria ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
The 36-year-old will compete in a FIFA World Cup™ for the first time, having been recalled to the Argentina squad for last year's qualifiers against Brazil and Paraguay, following a nine-year absence from the international scene.
"You cannot compare this to anything I have experienced before," said the Boca Juniors star. To be here is a dream and I am enjoying it to the maximum. To be among the 23 players is a privilege and I have to thank Maradona for giving me this opportunity. I am thankful to be among so many stars in this team."

To be among the 23 players is a privilege and I have to thank Maradona for giving me this opportunity.

Martin Palermo, Argentina forward

Palermo admits he is mesmerised by the skills of his colleagues. "I keep telling my team-mates how amazing they are," he said. "I see what they do in training and they surprise me.It's incredible what (Lionel) Messi does with the ball - it's difficult to describe."
Palermo knows he must do well in training to impress Maradona, with Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Diego Milito all ahead of him in pecking order. "I'm not sure when I will be able to play and give my contribution," he said. "We will see once the tournament starts. But I am here to help my team-mates and when the time comes and they need me, I will be ready."
Argentina are in Group B alongside Greece, South Korea and Nigeria. They begin their 2010 FIFA World Cup™ campaign against Nigeria on Saturday in Johannesburg.

Eto'o has high hopes for change

2010-06-08T17:48:00.001+06:00

Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o hopes that holding the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa can help to eradicate racism in European football.

Eto'o will lead Cameroon in their sixth World Cup where they will face the Netherlands, Denmark and Japan in a competitive-looking Group E. It will conclude a memorable season for the 29-year-old who claimed the Serie A title and Italian Cup with Inter Milan before Jose Mourinho's side went on to win the UEFA Champions League.

Eto'o arrived in Europe in 1996 when he joined Real Madrid, although he made just three appearances during a three-year period which he spent mainly on loan, before going on to play for Real Mallorca, Barcelona and then Inter.

However, Eto'o claimed he was a target for racists in both Spain and Italy and he hopes this FIFA World Cup can be a force for change. He told the Guardian: "It has never been easy and until the end of my career it won't be easy. But maybe this World Cup, being the first in Africa, can change attitudes.

"I hope so but I suffered a lot in Italy this year. So it's not just one country where there is racism. But to obtain these rewards you have to go through that. And that's why it's incredible we're playing in the country where my idol, Madiba [Nelson Mandela], lives."

Of his experiences Eto'o revealed: "When I played against Real Zaragoza they chanted like monkeys and threw peanuts on the pitch. So when I scored I danced in front of them like a monkey. When the same thing happened against Real Madrid I scored and held my fist in a Black Power salute."

Eto'o described his experiences of watching Cameroon's march to the quarter-finals in 1990 where they were beaten 3-2 by England, saying: "I was nine years old and after every match I'd run around the streets of Douala. No-one could catch me because I was so happy."

However, he added: "But watching that game again in later years, as I sometimes still do today, I think the world wasn't ready for an African team to reach the semi-finals."

Neill aiming to succeed for Jones

2010-06-08T17:47:00.001+06:00

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill says Australia will draw inspiration from Brad Jones' son's battle with leukaemia when they take on Germany in their FIFA World Cup™ opener on Sunday.

Just hours before the Socceroos lost 3-1 to USA on Saturday, the team was rocked by the news that back-up goalkeeper Jones would be forced to leave the squad after his four-year-old son Luca was diagnosed with the illness the previous day. The news obviously had an impact on the squad as the Socceroos conceded three goals, the most they've allowed in a match since coach Pim Verbeek took over in February 2008.

But the players are already looking to support 28-year-old stopper Jones, with Tim Cahill celebrating his goal for Australia with a babe-in-arms gesture. And skipper Neill said the sad news would only give the Australians more incentive when they take on Germany in Group D.

"That's actually galvanised the team again," Neill told Fox Sports as the team arrived in camp in Muldersdrift just outside of Johannesburg. (It) gives us just that extra inspiration we needed to want to be successful."

But Neill was more than aware the Germans, who have suffered a difficult World Cup build-up themselves with injuries to key players like Michael Ballack and Heiko Westermann, will present Australia with one the most difficult tasks in the country's football history. "Germany are a superior team to Australia and clearly they're favourites," Neill said.

"Their record in World Cups suggest they are the most consistent team in world football. (So) if it's a draw, then it's a fantastic result. If we can cause an upset by winning the game, then we'll have shocked the world."

In other bad news for Verbeek, star man Cahill suffered a minor neck injury against the United States although it is unlikely to rule him out of the clash with Germany, while Brett Emerton trained strongly as he looks to recover from a calf injury.

It's not all about Messi, say Nigerians

2010-06-08T17:46:00.003+06:00

Nigeria are only too aware that Lionel Messi is not the only danger man in Argentina's ranks ahead of their FIFA World Cup™ opener against the South American giants.

The Super Eagles will also face Korea Republic and Greece in Group B, but right now the focus is Saturday's showdown at Ellis Park against Diego Maradona's Argentina – and that man Messi.

"Messi's [...] a good player and we respect him. We hope he respects us too. We're not thinking about Messi, we're thinking about playing against Argentina, a good team," said Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni of the Barcelona playmaker.

Nigeria's run-up to the finals has been hit by injury to John Obi Mikel, their Chelsea midfielder, but coach Lars Lagerback was adamant that his team could overcome the setback. "Of course you want the best players in Nigeria to participate in the squad," the Swede said.

"I would love to have Mikel in the squad, he's had a fantastic season with Chelsea and the Super Eagles, but that's football, all teams have injuries. It's been a long season for a lot of the players and unfortunately for Mikel, after his operation it didn't work as we hoped."

Lagerback oversaw his first win as Nigeria coach on Sunday, a 3-1 win over fellow FIFA World Cup qualifiers Korea DPR, overshadowed by a crowd stampede. It was a third friendly warm-up, Lagerback's team having also eked out a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia and a 1-1 draw with Colombia.

"What the players have done in this last week is great. They've improved all the time and worked very hard," said the coach who was involved with the Swedish national team for two decades. "In general, it was a good game [against the North Koreans]. The players are working hard and performing and now we can focus on this week's game against Argentina, and we're looking forward to this."

Everton defender Joseph Yobo said the result against the Korea DPR had provided a timely tonic. "It was a big morale-booster for us," Yobo said. "It was our last friendly game. It was also a good test because we're playing South Korea and we enjoyed the game. We needed confidence ahead of the Argentina game and scoring three goals is a good boost."

Lagerback also justified the choice of their base, in the relative industrial obscurity of South Africa's leading bulk export port of Richards Bay. Nigeria are just one of a handful of teams who have spurned a chance of a high-altitude base, but Lagerback said the advantages of warmth had triumphed.

"I checked it [the advantage of altitude] up to a year ago. We talked to a lot of specialists about it. There is a slight physiological advantage, but it's a very small thing," said the Swede. Much better, he said, was the "psychological advantage" his team would have from being able to bask in temperatures of 29 degrees (84F) during the day.

Villa: England can win World Cup

2010-06-08T17:46:00.001+06:00

Spain striker David Villa believes England can win the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, and has likened them to his own side, who struggled to live up to expectations until their UEFA EURO 2008 triumph.
La Roja head into the tournament as favourites, while the Three Lions have stuttered in recent games, with yesterday's 3-0 win over Platinum Stars an underwhelming conclusion to their build-up.
However, Villa, who has just moved from Valencia to Barcelona, believes Fabio Capello's side are among the best. "Yes, England are good enough to win the World Cup," he told The Sun. "Absolutely. They are a bit like Spain, aren't they?

England are good enough to win the World Cup. They have a great manager and a team that can perfectly well reach the Final.

Spain's David Villa

"The fact is, they have always had good teams and they have found it difficult in the big competitions. But the day will come, won't it? I think they have a perfect generation to make it to the final, and they will surely be one of the teams to beat."
Villa, who is likely to partner Liverpool's Fernando Torres up front for Spain, added: "Individually, England have some of the best players - in defence, midfield as well as attack.
"They have a great manager and a team that can perfectly well reach the Final. I like a lot of their players but this season I would pick out Wayne Rooney. Frank Lampard also had a marvellous season and I have a special kind of admiration for Steven Gerrard."