FIFA 2010 SOUTHAFRICA

Cristiano Ronaldo wallpaper

2010-06-25T07:08:00.000-07:00

Cesc Febregas photos

2010-06-25T07:01:00.001-07:00

Honda gearing up for more success

2010-06-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Keisuke Honda scored one goal and made another in a scintillating performance for Japan [ Images ] on Thursday but said he is not satisfied with guiding his team into the last 16 at the World Cup finals.

Honda's left foot worked like a magic wand at times in Japan's 3-1 victory against Denmark in their final Group E contest.

But, he said, he is not as happy as he expects to feel, before adding that this dazzling Japan side, which produced spells of superbly fluent soccer has a lot further to go in this tournament.

"I am not as jubilant as I had expected because we are not finished," he said. "We have to go further, step by step. We can be the team that continues this way."

Honda, 24, proved both he and Japan have the potential to make an impact with a devastatingly skilful display as the Asian side claimed a place in the second round on foreign soil for the first time.

He opened the scoring with a stunning 30-metres free kick and, after Yasuhito Endo had scored from another excellent free kick, laid on Japan's third for substitute striker Shinji Okazaki after the Danes had replied through Jon Dahl Tomasson.

"This is a big win for Japan," he said. "Our coach told us today not to concentrate on defence but to attack and that attitude gave us confidence.

"I talked to him (Okazaki) before the game and together we said that we would both score. So tonight, of course, we are happy."

Having come into the tournament on the back of a poor run of results, Japan have emerged as one of the surprise sides and coach Takeshi Okada said he would prepare for more success when they face Paraguay in Pretoria next Tuesday.

"This is not the end and we will focus again on what we can achieve," said Okada, who told his players before the tournament to aim for the semi-finals. "We will be ready to face Paraguay."

Dunga's Brazil adopt bunker mentality at World Cup

2010-06-23T07:22:00.000-07:00

Brazil [ Images ] is probably the only major soccer-playing country where reporters can join in goal celebrations and interview players as they fight on the pitch.

Dozens of television and radio reporters stand on the touchlines at games in Brazil, interviewing players seconds before kick-off, at halftime and when they are storm off the pitch after being shown a red card.

If a fight breaks out, they run onto the pitch and try and get a few quick quotes. When a player scores, he will often go straight to the cameras and microphones so his celebration can be broadcast to millions of listeners.

Last year, Ronaldo [ Images ], playing his first domestic game in Brazil for 15 years, left the field with a black eye after he was hit on the head by a microphone and a television camera in a media scrum on the field at the end of the match.

After so long in Europe, he was shocked at finding reporters on the field.

"I can't answer questions when I'm warming up," he said.

For the hundreds of Brazilian reporters who are sent to the World Cup, the set-up, with no pitch access, can be a shock.

They have, however, traditionally enjoyed access to players which colleagues from other countries can only dream of.

Even at the height of a World Cup, Brazil would organise a daily "mixed zone" in which the players would walk alongside a barrier on their way back to the team bus, answering questions from the several-hundred strong media pack on the other side of the fence.

Although something of a sweaty scrum, it generally worked well. This World Cup, however, has been completely different.

AIR TIME

Coach Dunga has replaced the sacred mixed zone with a daily conference in which two selected players trot out the usual cliches to a room of 400 reporters.

He has even done the unthinkable and restricted access to training sessions - often broadcast live in Brazil.

The new policy has been especially tough on radio reporters who have hours of air time to fill. Radio is still hugely important in Brazil, where many people still do not have internet access.

"We have to talk on seven programmes every day and the hourly news bulletins," said Wellington Campos, a reporter from Radio Itatiaia.

"In the past, it was always very open, not just for the Brazilians but also for foreigners, you could choose the player you wanted to speak to. That's over."

This has led to tensions between the media and the team, especially as Dunga has included the powerful Globo television network - Brazil's rights holders - in his clampdown.

Four years ago, players would take part in round tables and give exclusive interviews to Globo but, under Dunga, they are treated the same as everyone else.

Tensions boiled over after Sunday's win over Ivory Coast with an exchange between Dunga and a Globo journalist during the post-match press conference.

Brazilian media said Dunga was then heard to swear under his breath at the reporter.

Globo later criticised the coach's behaviour and has since refused to use his name, referring to him as "coach of the Brazilian national team".

The following day, there was another exchange when playmaker Kaka [ Images ] claimed that he was being criticised by outspoken columnist Juca Kfouri because of his religious beliefs.

After being asked a question by Kfouri's son Andre, also a journalist, he said: "Your father is taking pot shots at me because of my faith. I ask that he respects me and the millions of people who believe in Jesus Christ [ Images ]."

With the battle set to continue, Brazil's 2002 World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari [ Images ] suggested a truce.

"In the World Cup, we have to put up with each other," he said. "The best thing is to work together, and when the World Cup finishes, each side can tell the other to go to hell."

Maradona asks media to apologise for criticising his players

2010-06-23T07:18:00.000-07:00

Argentina's coach Diego Maradona [ Images ] launched into a heartfelt defence of his players who have won their three matches in the group, including Tuesday's 2-0 win against Greece with a largely reserve side.

He said the media who had criticised the team and players during the qualifiers when things were not going well for his team should apologise.

"Everything a lot of you said, you were wrong... You even showed a lack of respect for these players... (and) should apologise to these players because they give everything on the pitch, because they are 100 percent professional.

"We're doing our duty, we're defending the Argentine colours which we've always done.

"These same players were in the qualifiers. Anybody can make a mistake but I'd love it for those on the other side to say sorry."

Maradona was suspended by FIFA [ Images ] for two months last year for a foul-mouthed rant at reporters on the night his team secured their place at the finals.

He and the players were the butt of strong criticism for poor results that nearly ended in Argentina missing the finals for the first time since 1970.

Maradona also questioned fair play at the World Cup after Lionel Messi [ Images ] was treated to systematic fouling by Greece in Argentina's win on Tuesday.

"The famous fair play doesn't exist (here), let's make it effective once and for all," Maradona said.

"Because if each time Messi gets the ball they bring him down, what are we playing at?" he asked at the post-match news conference.

"After repeated fouls, take out the yellow card to the third (player) who hits Messi, and you'll see that defenders don't hit him any more.

"Why didn't the referee do that? It's in the regulations, man."

Maradona had a rant at what he saw as repeated foul throw-ins by the Greeks and said his complaint to the fourth official had fallen on deaf ears.

Football player Haircut style in world cup

2010-06-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

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The best goal celebrations at the 2010 World Cup

2010-06-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

France were simply not good enough

2010-06-23T07:14:00.000-07:00

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Robinho: King of the Stepovers

2010-06-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

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'He is just a fantastic player' - Thomas Mueller

2010-06-23T07:10:00.001-07:00

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Maradona's animated arm-waving attracts cameras

2010-06-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

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Messi showed he can carry the team at this World Cup

2010-06-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

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Uruguay topped Group A with seven points

2010-06-23T07:07:00.002-07:00

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Meanwhile, Uruguay secured a place in the second round of the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990 when they beat Latin American rivals Mexico 1-0 on Tuesday.

The result meant Uruguay topped Group A and Mexico also went through despite losing by virtue of having a better goal difference than hosts South Africa.

"We're going to take it one game at a time ... now we've been lucky enough to achieve our first goal which was to get through the group phase," said Uruguay's goalscorer Luis Suarez.

Image: Uruguay's Luis Suarez celebrates with team mate Diego Forlan after scoring against Mexico

Gourcuff was sent off by referee Ruiz

2010-06-23T07:07:00.001-07:00

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The Les Bleus were unlucky to have reduced to 10 men by the 26th minute as TV replays clearly showed that Gourcuff elbow contact with the head of Macbeth Sibaya was apparently not intentional and harmless though the Colombian referee Oscar Ruiz thought otherwise.

The game was as good as over for France thereafter.

Thierry Henry, who came in for Djibril Cisse in the 55th minute, wore the captain's arm band but could not do much in the match.

Image: Referee Ruiz gestures after showing the red card to France's Gourcuff for a foul on South Africa's Sibaya

Khumalo put the hosts ahead

2010-06-23T07:06:00.001-07:00

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The 1998 champions France, embroiled in a protest by the leading players after the sending back of striker Nicolas Anelka following his bust up with coach Raymond Domenech, emulated their 2006 feat by crashing out in the first round but improved a bit by scoring one more goal to the none four years ago.

Domenech dropped as many as six players, including captain Patrice Evra who led the players' strike, from the starting XI that lost 0-2 against Mexico but that did not result in an improved show from the Europeans.

France had the better ball possession in the initial stages of the match but their hopes of making it to the round of 16 evaporated after Bongani Khumalo outjumped Abou Diaby to connect a Siphiwe Tshabalala corner kick into the net.

Image: South Africa's Bongani Khumalo (C) celebrates his goal during the 2010 World Cup Group A soccer match against France at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein

South Africa, France crash out

2010-06-23T07:06:00.000-07:00

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South Africa became the first host country in the FIFA World Cup history to crash out in the opening round despite a 2-1 victory over France, who also ended their miserable campaign with 10 men after Yoann Gourcuff was sent off in a Group A match in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

The valiant effort by the Bafana Bafana, who scored through Bongani Khumalo (20th) and Katlego Mphela (37th) ultimately was not enough as Uruguay and Mexico sailed into the round of 16 from Group A after the former's 1-0 victory in Rustenburg.

South Africa ended the group stage on four points, same as Mexico, but the Latin Americans made it to the round of 16 as second-placed team on better goal difference while Uruguay topped the pool with seven points.

South Africa have a goal difference of minus two as against plus one of Mexico.

Image: A fan carries a placard bidding farewell to the French and South African teams

Girls of World Cup 2010

2010-06-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

Girls of World Cup 2010The soccer South Africa world cup 2010 is in full swing and here we celebrate cool pictures of girl fans from around the world getting into the spirit of the beautiful game and supporting their countries in the tournament. Football or 'soccer' truly is an amazing spectacle! We will update this page during the competition with more pictures of girl fans so stay tuned.

Larissa Riquelme has become a World Cup pin up after these pictures were shared across the web.
Check out these Larissa Riquelme Sexy Pictures

Sweden pictured below are not in the World Cup and how we miss them!

FIFA World Cup 2010 Hottest Female Fans Photos

2010-06-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

Some girls always try to attract the camera man to come on television during live telecast and for that they come in bikini and some other interesting dress at the match venue. It seems Brazil and Argentina have some of the hottest fans following their progress at the Football World Cup 2010 tournament. Anyway, but hot soccer female fans are creating plenty of atmosphere at the World Cup despite the cold winter temperatures in South Africa. You can find here some hottest photos of the football crazy girls from the FIFA World Cup matches.

Hot Girls At The Football World Cup 2010 Pictures

Fifa Drops Charges Against Dutch Girls

2010-06-22T20:18:00.003-07:00

Fifa dropped the criminal charges it laid against two attractive Dutch Ladies for wearing orange mini dresses at a Fifa 2010 World Cup match. Fifa pressed charges against the Dutch Ladies for "ambush marketing".

But today the criminal charges were withdrawn against Barbara Castelein and Mirthe Nieuwpoort. Their passports were returned and they were greeted by supporters when they left the Johannesburg Magistrates Court.

The girls only crime was being two of 36 sexy women wearing orange mini dresses with a tiny Bavaria label at the match between Holland and Denmark last week. If the girls were not arrested no body would have even known about the apparent ambush marketing stunt. Now however the girls are now infamous and Baveria has enjoyed world wide publicity at these girls expense.

Castelein, 29, and 30-year-old Nieuwpoort were arrested, ordered to surrender their passports and forced to post bail or face immediate imprisonment for wearing orange mini skirts!

The world was outraged at the arrest of the girls!

South Africa's First Win in The Fifa 2010 World Cup

2010-06-22T20:18:00.002-07:00

South Africa is celebrating it's two - one victory against France at Bloemfontein...France goes home with much controversy playing without their captain...The question is if this win for South Africa enough to get them through to the next round with Uruguay in the lead against Mexico 1-0? Unfortunately South Africa will not qualify to go through to the next stage, Uruguay is the winner of group A and will part of the 16 teams to go through to the semi finals. Mexico returns home with France and this ends their participation in The Fifa 2010 World Cup, South Africa.

South Africa vs France Fifa 2010 World Cup

2010-06-22T20:18:00.001-07:00

Today South Africa needs a miracle to get through to the next stage when it plays against France at 04:00PM (South Africa local time) today. South Africa take on France in their final Group A match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. France's team is disgruntled and have refused to take part in this week's practices. For South Africa they need to play with all they have got to not disappoint their fans on home ground. It will be a tense match with a lot to loose the battle of all battles for South Africa to make the nation proud. The whole of South Africa are holding thumbs for Bafana Bafana against France and who knows we may see a miracle happen this afternoon for South Africa.

First Signs of 2010 Fifa World Cup Economic Success

2010-06-22T20:17:00.001-07:00

First signs of 2010 FIFA World Cup™ economic success starting to show

Initial surveys and research show that Cape Town restaurants, informal traders, hotels and shopping malls are experiencing better than usual business over the winter period, as foreign football fans are flocking to Cape Town for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Overall, the business activity in Cape Town seems to have picked up since the arrival of the first team in the country, said Mansoor Mohamed, Executive Director: Economic and Social Development and Tourism for the City of Cape Town. “The V&A Waterfront shopping mall has seen a record increase in the amount of visitors in the first week of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Suburban shopping malls in Cape Town like Cavendish, Century City and Tygervalley have also seen a spike in sales. The restaurants in Cape Town are also doing better than expected trade, with some even beating their actual Christmas figures.”

Most of the Municipal Markets in Cape Town, for example Greenmarket Square, the Grand Parade, Green Point and Mitchells Plain, have seen a significant boost in trading activity since the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ ten days ago. “Informal traders have been well prepared by the City of Cape Town’s economic unit to take advantage of the World Cup visitor numbers,” Mohamed said.

Initial surveys are showing that the accommodation numbers for Cape Town thus far are generally lower than expected, except for budget accommodation, which is looking promising. Although the more expensive hotels in Cape Town are experiencing lower than expected occupancy (under 20% to 40%), it is still a bumper season compared to last year, said Mohamed.

The City is expecting higher accommodation numbers towards the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, as people come down from Johannesburg to enjoy the last part of their South African holiday in Cape Town. “Cape Town has won the ‘Oscars’ of the Travel Industry (World Travel Awards) as the leading tourism destination on the African continent for two consecutive years in a row. More recently, it won the prestigious award of being the best destination worldwide for Responsible Tourism (2009 Virgin Responsible Tourism Awards). These awards are the culmination of strategic partnerships between the City of Cape Town, its tourism agencies and the tourism industry. This is why Cape Town has been a destination of choice for many of the international visitors in the country for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and we expect an increase in the number of international visitors as the tournament progresses,” Mohamed added.

Even though less people than expected seem to be coming to Cape Town during the tournament, early economic research suggests that tourists are staying for longer periods and are spending more. A recent Grant Thornton Study on the economic impact of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ supports these findings.

“If visitor numbers are down 20% from our initial estimates, but those who do come spend 20% more and stay three days longer than originally anticipated, we will see an increase of nearly 40% in the expected economic impact that the tournament will have, which is very encouraging,” said Mohamed.

Mohamed emphasized that these findings are only based on initial surveys and that the true economic impact of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will only be established by comprehensive research following the end of the tournament. He is, however, confident that Cape Town will benefit from the 2010 World Cup™ in the next few decades to come. “The FIFA 2010 World Cup™ is the single most important event for South Africa and the African continent in recent time. It is positively changing the world’s perceptions about Africa. The socio-economic benefits of the FIFA 2010 World Cup™ will be felt for a very long time and it is therefore important that government and businesses develop strategic partnerships to reap the benefits of this tournament over the next 20 years.”

Portugal Celebrates biggest Victory in Fifa World Cup 2010

2010-06-22T20:17:00.000-07:00

Portugal thrashed North Korea with 7 goals to North Korea 0 goals at Greenpoint Stadium, Cape Town South Africa this afternoon. This is the Fifa World Cup 2010 biggest victory so far!

Ronaldo managed to score a goal 3 minutes before the end of the match. Raul Meireles, Simao, Hugo Almeida, Tiago, Liédson and Cristiano Ronaldo all scored goals. This puts Portugal in the 16 teams going through to the semi finals of the Fifa 2010 World Cup and one of the top teams next to Brazil that could possibly be in the finals.

Images from Cape Town, South Africa Fifa 2010 World Cup

2010-06-22T20:16:00.005-07:00

Local fans at Cape Town, South Africa Fifa 2010 Fan Park

Images from Cape Town South Africa, the one of many Fifa 2010 Fan Parks were many South African's are watching and celebrating in the Fifa 2010 World Cup 2010. Cape Town unfortunately is not hosting many games, the majority of games are been played in Johannesburg 1800km away including the Fifa 2010 World Cup Final which will be played at Soccer City.

Dutch Fans Celebrate Victory in South Africa

2010-06-22T20:16:00.004-07:00

Dutch Fans in South Africa are celebrating the win against Japan today NetherlandsNetherlands scored a goal against Japan in the first few minutes of the 2nd Half. The match ended in victory for Netherlands 1-0 against Japan. This means the Netherlands will be going to the next level of the Fifa World Cup 2010. Orange power talking of which there is still no news of the Dutch Girls that were arrested for wearing orange dresses at the last World Cup Game, the girls were let out on bail of R10000 each and passports were handed in to SA authorities. If you have any news about the Dutch girls send in your comments...