Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
world cup: 5th match- England Vs USA live blog
match analysis:
England - USA
shots on target : 8 - 5
shots off target : 8 - 6
possession (%) : 49 - 51
corner kicks : 7 - 4
offsides : 4 - 2
fouls : 12 - 14
yellow cards : 3 - 3
red cards : 0 - 0
After full time England 1 - 1 United States
90' +5 The referee blows the final whistle
90' +4 A player from USA commits a foul
90' +4 USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
90' +4 Goal kick for England
90' +3 Clint Dempsey misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
90' +2 Peter Crouch fouls an opponent
90' +2 Oguchi Onyewu relieves the pressure with a clearance
90' +2 Ashley Cole puts in a cross
90' +1 England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
90' +1 USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
90' +1 USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
90' +1 The fourth official shows there are 4 minute(s) of time to be added
90' +1 Steven Gerrard relieves the pressure with a clearance
90' +1 Landon Donovan from USA takes a corner kick
90' Ashley Cole makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
90' Stuart Holden puts in a cross
89' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
89' Goal kick for England
89' Landon Donovan misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
88' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
87' Goal kick for USA
87' Peter Crouch heads the ball back across goal
87' Frank Lampard crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
86' Jozy Altidore is leaving the field to be replaced by Stuart Holden in a tactical substitution.
86' Jay Demerit fouls Wayne Rooney
85' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
84' Frank Lampard has a deflected shot saved by the keeper
84' Frank Lampard plays a neat 1-2 with one of his team mates.
84' England start a counter attack
83' Ashley Cole fouls Clint Dempsey
83' Ashley Cole plays a neat 1-2 with one of his team mates.
83' Clint Dempsey relieves the pressure with a clearance
83' Steven Gerrard puts in a cross
83' Oguchi Onyewu fouls Wayne Rooney
83' England start a counter attack
82' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
82' Edson Buddle fouls John Terry
81' A shot by Edson Buddle is blocked
81' Tim Howard comes out and claims the ball
81' Peter Crouch from England heads wide
81' Wayne Rooney puts in a cross
80' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
79' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
79' Emile Heskey is leaving the field to be replaced by Peter Crouch in a tactical substitution.
79' Michael Bradley relieves the pressure with a clearance
79' Steven Gerrard from England takes a corner kick
78' A shot by Wayne Rooney is blocked
78' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
78' Ricardo A. Clark pulls Emile Heskey by the shirt
78' Goal kick for USA
78' Robbie Findley is leaving the field to be replaced by Edson Buddle in a tactical substitution.
77' Emile Heskey from England heads wide
77' Steven Gerrard puts in a cross
76' Wayne Rooney shoots and hits the target, but the keeper saves it
76' Wayne Rooney has a deflected shot on target
76' Frank Lampard from England takes a corner kick
76' A shot from Shaun Wright Phillips goes to a corner kick after a save by the keeper
76' Wayne Rooney from England sends a pass into the box
75' Goal kick for USA
75' Wayne Rooney misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
74' Yellow card for Robbie Findley
74' Robbie Findley commits a rough foul on Steven Gerrard
74' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
74' Glen Johnson dribbles past his opponents
72' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
72' Goal kick for USA
71' Wayne Rooney from England heads wide
71' Steven Gerrard puts in a cross
71' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
71' Steve Cherundolo relieves the pressure with a clearance
70' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
70' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
69' Emile Heskey hand-balls
69' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
69' Goal kick for USA
69' Frank Lampard takes a direct free kick, but the shot goes wide
68' Oguchi Onyewu charges Emile Heskey from behind
67' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
67' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
66' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
65' Jay Demerit relieves the pressure with a clearance
65' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
65' Ashley Cole relieves the pressure with a clearance
65' A shot from Jozy Altidore is parried by the keeper and goes back into play
65' Jozy Altidore dribbles past his opponents
64' The home team have had 49% of possession compared to the away team's 51%
64' Goal kick for USA
64' Glen Johnson from England shoots wide
64' Frank Lampard from England takes a corner kick
63' A shot from long range by Frank Lampard goes to a corner kick after a save by the keeper
63' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
62' Oguchi Onyewu relieves the pressure with a clearance
62' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
62' Carlos Bocanegra from USA heads wide
62' Landon Donovan crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
61' Yellow card for Steven Gerrard
61' Steven Gerrard commits a rough foul on Clint Dempsey
60' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
60' Steven Gerrard relieves the pressure with a clearance
60' Landon Donovan crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
60' Yellow card for Jamie Carragher
60' Jamie Carragher commits a rough foul on Robbie Findley
59' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
59' Oguchi Onyewu relieves the pressure with a clearance
59' England start a counter attack
58' Goal kick for England
58' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
58' Jamie Carragher relieves the pressure with a clearance
57' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
57' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
56' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
56' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
56' Jamie Carragher relieves the pressure with a clearance
56' A player from USA heads the ball back across goal
56' Landon Donovan crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
55' Jamie Carragher fouls Jozy Altidore
55' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
54' Emile Heskey from England is ruled offside
53' Robbie Findley hand-balls
53' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
52' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
52' Wayne Rooney has a great chance to score, but his effort is saved by the keeper!
51' Emile Heskey from England is ruled offside
50' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
50' Shaun Wright Phillips fouls Steve Cherundolo
50' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
50' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
50' Jay Demerit relieves the pressure with a clearance
49' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
49' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
49' Landon Donovan relieves the pressure with a clearance
49' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
49' Aaron Lennon dribbles past his opponents
48' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
48' Yellow card for Jay Demerit
48' Jay Demerit fouls an opponent
47' Goal kick for USA
47' John Terry heads the ball back across goal
47' Frank Lampard crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
47' A player from USA commits a foul
46' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
46' Ledley King is coming off and he is replaced by Jamie Carragher
46' The second half is underway
First half analysis:
England - USA
shots on target : 2 - 4
shots off target : 2 - 3
possession (%) : 47 - 53
corner kicks : 4 - 3
offsides : 2 - 2
fouls : 5 - 4
yellow cards : 1 - 1
red cards : 0 - 0
After half time England 1 - USA 1
45' +3 Goal kick for USA
45' +3 England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
45' +2 Goal kick for England
45' +1 England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
45' +1 The fourth official shows there are 3 minute(s) of time to be added
45' +1 Robbie Findley relieves the pressure with a clearance
45' +1 Frank Lampard from England takes a corner kick
45' Oguchi Onyewu makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
45' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
44' The home team have had 47% of possession compared to the away team's 53%
44' The game is restarted
43' Emile Heskey is down injured and receives medical treatment on the field.
43' The game is stopped
42' Ashley Cole relieves the pressure with a clearance
42' Landon Donovan puts in a cross
41' Glen Johnson shoots and hits the target, but the keeper saves it
41' Glen Johnson dribbles past his opponents
40' GOOOAAAL - Clint Dempsey from USA scores from outside the box
40' Robert Green comes out and drops the ball
40' Clint Dempsey has a shot on target from outside the box
40' Goal kick for England
39' Yellow card for Tim Howard
39' Tim Howard fouls an opponent
39' Goal kick for England
39' Landon Donovan misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
38' Goal kick for USA
38' Shaun Wright Phillips misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
37' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
36' Jozy Altidore hand-balls
36' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
36' Emile Heskey fouls an opponent
35' A shot by Frank Lampard is blocked
35' Frank Lampard from England takes a corner kick
35' Steve Cherundolo relieves the pressure with a clearance
35' Ashley Cole puts in a cross
35' Ashley Cole plays a neat 1-2 with one of his team mates.
34' Goal kick for England
34' Clint Dempsey puts in a cross
33' Jozy Altidore shoots from outside the box, but the keeper saves it
32' The match resumes with a drop ball
31' James Milner is leaving the field to be replaced by Shaun Wright Phillips in a tactical substitution.
30' The home team have had 42% of possession compared to the away team's 58%
29' Tim Howard is down injured and receives medical treatment on the field.
29' The game is stopped
29' Tim Howard relieves the pressure with a clearance
29' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
29' Carlos Bocanegra relieves the pressure with a clearance
29' Steven Gerrard puts in a cross
29' Carlos Bocanegra relieves the pressure with a clearance
28' Steven Gerrard from England takes a corner kick
28' Carlos Bocanegra makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
28' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
28' Emile Heskey puts in a cross
27' Goal kick for England
27' Oguchi Onyewu from USA heads wide
27' Landon Donovan crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
26' Yellow card for James Milner
26' James Milner charges Steve Cherundolo from behind
26' A shot by Clint Dempsey is blocked
23' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
22' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
22' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
21' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
21' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
20' Tim Howard comes out and claims the ball
20' Wayne Rooney misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
20' A shot by Steven Gerrard is blocked
20' Jay Demerit relieves the pressure with a clearance
20' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
20' Wayne Rooney from England sends a pass into the box
19' Goal kick for England
19' Jozy Altidore from USA heads wide
19' Landon Donovan puts in a cross
18' John Terry fouls Landon Donovan
18' Jozy Altidore fouls John Terry
17' Goal kick for England
16' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
16' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
16' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
15' Emile Heskey from England is ruled offside
14' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
14' Michael Bradley puts in a cross
14' Landon Donovan from USA takes a short corner kick
14' Steven Gerrard makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
13' Landon Donovan from USA takes a corner kick
13' Emile Heskey makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
13' Landon Donovan from USA takes a corner kick
12' Steven Gerrard makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
11' Goal kick for USA
11' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
11' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
11' Clint Dempsey sends a header towards goal, but the keeper saves it
11' Steve Cherundolo puts in a cross
11' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
10' Glen Johnson hand-balls
10' Steven Gerrard from England takes a corner kick
10' Landon Donovan makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
10' Frank Lampard crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
9' Michael Bradley is penalised for pushing Emile Heskey
9' Goal kick for England
8' Goal kick for England
7' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
7' James Milner fouls Steve Cherundolo
6' Robbie Findley from USA is ruled offside
6' John Terry relieves the pressure with a clearance
6' Steve Cherundolo puts in a cross
6' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
4' GOOOAAAL - Steven Gerrard scores.
4' Emile Heskey from England sends a pass into the box
4' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
3' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
3' Robbie Findley from USA is ruled offside
3' Ledley King relieves the pressure with a clearance
2' Jozy Altidore puts in a cross
2' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
2' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
1' USA kick-off, and the game is underway.
0' The referee starts the match
news source: www.livescore.com
England - USA
shots on target : 8 - 5
shots off target : 8 - 6
possession (%) : 49 - 51
corner kicks : 7 - 4
offsides : 4 - 2
fouls : 12 - 14
yellow cards : 3 - 3
red cards : 0 - 0
After full time England 1 - 1 United States
90' +5 The referee blows the final whistle
90' +4 A player from USA commits a foul
90' +4 USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
90' +4 Goal kick for England
90' +3 Clint Dempsey misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
90' +2 Peter Crouch fouls an opponent
90' +2 Oguchi Onyewu relieves the pressure with a clearance
90' +2 Ashley Cole puts in a cross
90' +1 England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
90' +1 USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
90' +1 USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
90' +1 The fourth official shows there are 4 minute(s) of time to be added
90' +1 Steven Gerrard relieves the pressure with a clearance
90' +1 Landon Donovan from USA takes a corner kick
90' Ashley Cole makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
90' Stuart Holden puts in a cross
89' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
89' Goal kick for England
89' Landon Donovan misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
88' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
87' Goal kick for USA
87' Peter Crouch heads the ball back across goal
87' Frank Lampard crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
86' Jozy Altidore is leaving the field to be replaced by Stuart Holden in a tactical substitution.
86' Jay Demerit fouls Wayne Rooney
85' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
84' Frank Lampard has a deflected shot saved by the keeper
84' Frank Lampard plays a neat 1-2 with one of his team mates.
84' England start a counter attack
83' Ashley Cole fouls Clint Dempsey
83' Ashley Cole plays a neat 1-2 with one of his team mates.
83' Clint Dempsey relieves the pressure with a clearance
83' Steven Gerrard puts in a cross
83' Oguchi Onyewu fouls Wayne Rooney
83' England start a counter attack
82' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
82' Edson Buddle fouls John Terry
81' A shot by Edson Buddle is blocked
81' Tim Howard comes out and claims the ball
81' Peter Crouch from England heads wide
81' Wayne Rooney puts in a cross
80' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
79' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
79' Emile Heskey is leaving the field to be replaced by Peter Crouch in a tactical substitution.
79' Michael Bradley relieves the pressure with a clearance
79' Steven Gerrard from England takes a corner kick
78' A shot by Wayne Rooney is blocked
78' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
78' Ricardo A. Clark pulls Emile Heskey by the shirt
78' Goal kick for USA
78' Robbie Findley is leaving the field to be replaced by Edson Buddle in a tactical substitution.
77' Emile Heskey from England heads wide
77' Steven Gerrard puts in a cross
76' Wayne Rooney shoots and hits the target, but the keeper saves it
76' Wayne Rooney has a deflected shot on target
76' Frank Lampard from England takes a corner kick
76' A shot from Shaun Wright Phillips goes to a corner kick after a save by the keeper
76' Wayne Rooney from England sends a pass into the box
75' Goal kick for USA
75' Wayne Rooney misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
74' Yellow card for Robbie Findley
74' Robbie Findley commits a rough foul on Steven Gerrard
74' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
74' Glen Johnson dribbles past his opponents
72' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
72' Goal kick for USA
71' Wayne Rooney from England heads wide
71' Steven Gerrard puts in a cross
71' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
71' Steve Cherundolo relieves the pressure with a clearance
70' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
70' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
69' Emile Heskey hand-balls
69' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
69' Goal kick for USA
69' Frank Lampard takes a direct free kick, but the shot goes wide
68' Oguchi Onyewu charges Emile Heskey from behind
67' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
67' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
66' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
65' Jay Demerit relieves the pressure with a clearance
65' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
65' Ashley Cole relieves the pressure with a clearance
65' A shot from Jozy Altidore is parried by the keeper and goes back into play
65' Jozy Altidore dribbles past his opponents
64' The home team have had 49% of possession compared to the away team's 51%
64' Goal kick for USA
64' Glen Johnson from England shoots wide
64' Frank Lampard from England takes a corner kick
63' A shot from long range by Frank Lampard goes to a corner kick after a save by the keeper
63' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
62' Oguchi Onyewu relieves the pressure with a clearance
62' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
62' Carlos Bocanegra from USA heads wide
62' Landon Donovan crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
61' Yellow card for Steven Gerrard
61' Steven Gerrard commits a rough foul on Clint Dempsey
60' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
60' Steven Gerrard relieves the pressure with a clearance
60' Landon Donovan crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
60' Yellow card for Jamie Carragher
60' Jamie Carragher commits a rough foul on Robbie Findley
59' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
59' Oguchi Onyewu relieves the pressure with a clearance
59' England start a counter attack
58' Goal kick for England
58' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
58' Jamie Carragher relieves the pressure with a clearance
57' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
57' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
56' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
56' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
56' Jamie Carragher relieves the pressure with a clearance
56' A player from USA heads the ball back across goal
56' Landon Donovan crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
55' Jamie Carragher fouls Jozy Altidore
55' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
54' Emile Heskey from England is ruled offside
53' Robbie Findley hand-balls
53' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
52' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
52' Wayne Rooney has a great chance to score, but his effort is saved by the keeper!
51' Emile Heskey from England is ruled offside
50' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
50' Shaun Wright Phillips fouls Steve Cherundolo
50' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
50' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
50' Jay Demerit relieves the pressure with a clearance
49' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
49' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
49' Landon Donovan relieves the pressure with a clearance
49' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
49' Aaron Lennon dribbles past his opponents
48' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
48' Yellow card for Jay Demerit
48' Jay Demerit fouls an opponent
47' Goal kick for USA
47' John Terry heads the ball back across goal
47' Frank Lampard crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
47' A player from USA commits a foul
46' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
46' Ledley King is coming off and he is replaced by Jamie Carragher
46' The second half is underway
First half analysis:
England - USA
shots on target : 2 - 4
shots off target : 2 - 3
possession (%) : 47 - 53
corner kicks : 4 - 3
offsides : 2 - 2
fouls : 5 - 4
yellow cards : 1 - 1
red cards : 0 - 0
After half time England 1 - USA 1
45' +3 Goal kick for USA
45' +3 England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
45' +2 Goal kick for England
45' +1 England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
45' +1 The fourth official shows there are 3 minute(s) of time to be added
45' +1 Robbie Findley relieves the pressure with a clearance
45' +1 Frank Lampard from England takes a corner kick
45' Oguchi Onyewu makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
45' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
44' The home team have had 47% of possession compared to the away team's 53%
44' The game is restarted
43' Emile Heskey is down injured and receives medical treatment on the field.
43' The game is stopped
42' Ashley Cole relieves the pressure with a clearance
42' Landon Donovan puts in a cross
41' Glen Johnson shoots and hits the target, but the keeper saves it
41' Glen Johnson dribbles past his opponents
40' GOOOAAAL - Clint Dempsey from USA scores from outside the box
40' Robert Green comes out and drops the ball
40' Clint Dempsey has a shot on target from outside the box
40' Goal kick for England
39' Yellow card for Tim Howard
39' Tim Howard fouls an opponent
39' Goal kick for England
39' Landon Donovan misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
38' Goal kick for USA
38' Shaun Wright Phillips misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
37' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
36' Jozy Altidore hand-balls
36' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
36' Emile Heskey fouls an opponent
35' A shot by Frank Lampard is blocked
35' Frank Lampard from England takes a corner kick
35' Steve Cherundolo relieves the pressure with a clearance
35' Ashley Cole puts in a cross
35' Ashley Cole plays a neat 1-2 with one of his team mates.
34' Goal kick for England
34' Clint Dempsey puts in a cross
33' Jozy Altidore shoots from outside the box, but the keeper saves it
32' The match resumes with a drop ball
31' James Milner is leaving the field to be replaced by Shaun Wright Phillips in a tactical substitution.
30' The home team have had 42% of possession compared to the away team's 58%
29' Tim Howard is down injured and receives medical treatment on the field.
29' The game is stopped
29' Tim Howard relieves the pressure with a clearance
29' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
29' Carlos Bocanegra relieves the pressure with a clearance
29' Steven Gerrard puts in a cross
29' Carlos Bocanegra relieves the pressure with a clearance
28' Steven Gerrard from England takes a corner kick
28' Carlos Bocanegra makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
28' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
28' Emile Heskey puts in a cross
27' Goal kick for England
27' Oguchi Onyewu from USA heads wide
27' Landon Donovan crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
26' Yellow card for James Milner
26' James Milner charges Steve Cherundolo from behind
26' A shot by Clint Dempsey is blocked
23' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
22' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
22' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
21' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
21' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
20' Tim Howard comes out and claims the ball
20' Wayne Rooney misses the goal with a shot from outside the box
20' A shot by Steven Gerrard is blocked
20' Jay Demerit relieves the pressure with a clearance
20' Aaron Lennon puts in a cross
20' Wayne Rooney from England sends a pass into the box
19' Goal kick for England
19' Jozy Altidore from USA heads wide
19' Landon Donovan puts in a cross
18' John Terry fouls Landon Donovan
18' Jozy Altidore fouls John Terry
17' Goal kick for England
16' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
16' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
16' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
15' Emile Heskey from England is ruled offside
14' England take a throw-in in their own half of the field
14' Michael Bradley puts in a cross
14' Landon Donovan from USA takes a short corner kick
14' Steven Gerrard makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
13' Landon Donovan from USA takes a corner kick
13' Emile Heskey makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
13' Landon Donovan from USA takes a corner kick
12' Steven Gerrard makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
11' Goal kick for USA
11' Glen Johnson puts in a cross
11' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
11' Clint Dempsey sends a header towards goal, but the keeper saves it
11' Steve Cherundolo puts in a cross
11' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
10' Glen Johnson hand-balls
10' Steven Gerrard from England takes a corner kick
10' Landon Donovan makes a clearance resulting in a corner.
10' Frank Lampard crosses the ball into the box from the free kick
9' Michael Bradley is penalised for pushing Emile Heskey
9' Goal kick for England
8' Goal kick for England
7' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
7' James Milner fouls Steve Cherundolo
6' Robbie Findley from USA is ruled offside
6' John Terry relieves the pressure with a clearance
6' Steve Cherundolo puts in a cross
6' USA take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
4' GOOOAAAL - Steven Gerrard scores.
4' Emile Heskey from England sends a pass into the box
4' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
3' England take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
3' Robbie Findley from USA is ruled offside
3' Ledley King relieves the pressure with a clearance
2' Jozy Altidore puts in a cross
2' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
2' USA take a throw-in in their own half of the field
1' USA kick-off, and the game is underway.
0' The referee starts the match
news source: www.livescore.com
World Cup : 3rd match- Korea Republic Vs Greece
It's really very nice match for Korea Republic.
the final result is Korea Republic 2 : Greece 0
the final result is Korea Republic 2 : Greece 0
Maradona and a transatlantic tussle
Diego Maradona makes his highly-anticipated return to the FIFA World Cup™ today when two group favourites, his Argentina side and Fabio Capello's England, get their campaigns underway. Maradona will make his debut as a coach in the tournament, hoping to lead La Albiceleste to victory over a Nigeria side hoping for third-time lucky and boosted by 'home' advantage.
The other game in Group B sees Otto Rehhagel's disciplined Greece take on a highly ambitious Korea Republic side, in what has all the hallmarks of a tight encounter. Despite some disappointing warm-up results – two defeats and a draw – Greece's experience may prove crucial although Huh Jung-Moo's Taeguk Warriors, who hope to include injury doubt Lee Dong-Gook in attack, showed in a recent 1-0 loss to Spain and 2-0 win over Japan that they are a force to be reckoned with.
In Group C, England coach Capello will have to compensate for the injury-enforced absences of Rio Ferdinand, ruled out of the competition altogether, and Gareth Barry, who is not yet back to full fitness. The Italian will therefore be doing his utmost to ensure that defender Ledley King remains healthy. England’s friendly results and performances in the build-up did not inspire great confidence, but they will hope to answer their critics in style against USA. The potential repositioning of Steven Gerrard just in front of the defence has the look of a temporary solution, applied to counter the incisive attacking bursts of an American team hoping to reproduce the same shock result they enjoyed in 1950.
The matches
Korea Republic-Greece, Group B, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, 13.30 (local time)
Argentina-Nigeria, Group B, Johannesburg (Ellis Park), 16.00 (local time)
England-USA, Group C, Rustenburg, 20.30 (local time)
The big game
Argentina-Nigeria
Ahead of Argentina's opening match against the Super Eagles, Maradona is well aware that his chosen starting XI will provoke much discussion, analysis, criticism and praise back home. The former world champion has promised an attacking line-up, possibly with Lionel Messi operating just behind a front pairing of Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain. Maradona is likely to opt for three at the back, with Martin Demichelis and Gabriel Heinze flanking the vastly experienced Walter Samuel. Highly fancied to go far this time round due to their immense goalscoring potential, La Albiceleste will now need to confirm that potential on the pitch.
In the opposing camp, Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback, though deprived of one of his driving forces, the injured John Obi Mikel, has made it clear that his team are not in South Africa to simply make up the numbers. Nigeria have lost to Argentina at the FIFA World Cup twice before, in 1994 (1-2) and in 2002 (0-1). Nigeria fans, however, will hope that on their own continent they will constitute an altogether different prospect.
In focus
Howard v the England attack
USA's athletic goalkeeper Tim Howard may start the match with a psychological advantage over England's strike force, as none of Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch managed to get the better of the Everton custodian in the Premier League last season. Jermain Defoe stands alone in having beaten Howard, netting against him for Tottenham Hotspur in a 2-2 draw, but the American had the last laugh that day, saving the striker's potentially match-winning penalty in injury time.
What they said
"Our squad is made up of experienced players who are used to winning. That’s often crucial in this tournament. You first need to know what it feels like to win before you aim even higher," Joe Cole, England midfielder
Past meetings
In a twist of fate often seen in the competition, Maradona faces Nigeria in his first match as a coach in the FIFA World Cup, almost 16 years to the day since his last match as an Argentina player against the very same team.
Did you know?
England suffered one of the most surprising defeats in FIFA World Cup history in 1950, when, in their maiden campaign, they succumbed 1-0 to USA, with Joe Gaetjens grabbing the now legendary winner. The story goes that many newspaper editors back in England, unwilling to believe the news they had just been delivered, and fearing a typographical error, took the decision not to cover the match in their early editions. One English publication even went so far as to announce a 10-1 victory for the overwhelming pre-match favourites.
Trivia
Tickets are hard to come by for the much-anticipated game between England and USA at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. In fact, with a capacity of 38,646, it represents the smallest of the tournament's ten different venues, dwarfed by the 84,490 seats available at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium.
Diego Maradona makes his highly-anticipated return to the FIFA World Cup™ today when two group favourites, his Argentina side and Fabio Capello's England, get their campaigns underway. Maradona will make his debut as a coach in the tournament, hoping to lead La Albiceleste to victory over a Nigeria side hoping for third-time lucky and boosted by 'home' advantage.
The other game in Group B sees Otto Rehhagel's disciplined Greece take on a highly ambitious Korea Republic side, in what has all the hallmarks of a tight encounter. Despite some disappointing warm-up results – two defeats and a draw – Greece's experience may prove crucial although Huh Jung-Moo's Taeguk Warriors, who hope to include injury doubt Lee Dong-Gook in attack, showed in a recent 1-0 loss to Spain and 2-0 win over Japan that they are a force to be reckoned with.
In Group C, England coach Capello will have to compensate for the injury-enforced absences of Rio Ferdinand, ruled out of the competition altogether, and Gareth Barry, who is not yet back to full fitness. The Italian will therefore be doing his utmost to ensure that defender Ledley King remains healthy. England’s friendly results and performances in the build-up did not inspire great confidence, but they will hope to answer their critics in style against USA. The potential repositioning of Steven Gerrard just in front of the defence has the look of a temporary solution, applied to counter the incisive attacking bursts of an American team hoping to reproduce the same shock result they enjoyed in 1950.
The matches
Korea Republic-Greece, Group B, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, 13.30 (local time)
Argentina-Nigeria, Group B, Johannesburg (Ellis Park), 16.00 (local time)
England-USA, Group C, Rustenburg, 20.30 (local time)
The big game
Argentina-Nigeria
Ahead of Argentina's opening match against the Super Eagles, Maradona is well aware that his chosen starting XI will provoke much discussion, analysis, criticism and praise back home. The former world champion has promised an attacking line-up, possibly with Lionel Messi operating just behind a front pairing of Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain. Maradona is likely to opt for three at the back, with Martin Demichelis and Gabriel Heinze flanking the vastly experienced Walter Samuel. Highly fancied to go far this time round due to their immense goalscoring potential, La Albiceleste will now need to confirm that potential on the pitch.
In the opposing camp, Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback, though deprived of one of his driving forces, the injured John Obi Mikel, has made it clear that his team are not in South Africa to simply make up the numbers. Nigeria have lost to Argentina at the FIFA World Cup twice before, in 1994 (1-2) and in 2002 (0-1). Nigeria fans, however, will hope that on their own continent they will constitute an altogether different prospect.
In focus
Howard v the England attack
USA's athletic goalkeeper Tim Howard may start the match with a psychological advantage over England's strike force, as none of Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch managed to get the better of the Everton custodian in the Premier League last season. Jermain Defoe stands alone in having beaten Howard, netting against him for Tottenham Hotspur in a 2-2 draw, but the American had the last laugh that day, saving the striker's potentially match-winning penalty in injury time.
What they said
"Our squad is made up of experienced players who are used to winning. That’s often crucial in this tournament. You first need to know what it feels like to win before you aim even higher," Joe Cole, England midfielder
Past meetings
In a twist of fate often seen in the competition, Maradona faces Nigeria in his first match as a coach in the FIFA World Cup, almost 16 years to the day since his last match as an Argentina player against the very same team.
Did you know?
England suffered one of the most surprising defeats in FIFA World Cup history in 1950, when, in their maiden campaign, they succumbed 1-0 to USA, with Joe Gaetjens grabbing the now legendary winner. The story goes that many newspaper editors back in England, unwilling to believe the news they had just been delivered, and fearing a typographical error, took the decision not to cover the match in their early editions. One English publication even went so far as to announce a 10-1 victory for the overwhelming pre-match favourites.
Trivia
Tickets are hard to come by for the much-anticipated game between England and USA at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. In fact, with a capacity of 38,646, it represents the smallest of the tournament's ten different venues, dwarfed by the 84,490 seats available at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium.
source:fifa.com
The other game in Group B sees Otto Rehhagel's disciplined Greece take on a highly ambitious Korea Republic side, in what has all the hallmarks of a tight encounter. Despite some disappointing warm-up results – two defeats and a draw – Greece's experience may prove crucial although Huh Jung-Moo's Taeguk Warriors, who hope to include injury doubt Lee Dong-Gook in attack, showed in a recent 1-0 loss to Spain and 2-0 win over Japan that they are a force to be reckoned with.
In Group C, England coach Capello will have to compensate for the injury-enforced absences of Rio Ferdinand, ruled out of the competition altogether, and Gareth Barry, who is not yet back to full fitness. The Italian will therefore be doing his utmost to ensure that defender Ledley King remains healthy. England’s friendly results and performances in the build-up did not inspire great confidence, but they will hope to answer their critics in style against USA. The potential repositioning of Steven Gerrard just in front of the defence has the look of a temporary solution, applied to counter the incisive attacking bursts of an American team hoping to reproduce the same shock result they enjoyed in 1950.
The matches
Korea Republic-Greece, Group B, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, 13.30 (local time)
Argentina-Nigeria, Group B, Johannesburg (Ellis Park), 16.00 (local time)
England-USA, Group C, Rustenburg, 20.30 (local time)
The big game
Argentina-Nigeria
Ahead of Argentina's opening match against the Super Eagles, Maradona is well aware that his chosen starting XI will provoke much discussion, analysis, criticism and praise back home. The former world champion has promised an attacking line-up, possibly with Lionel Messi operating just behind a front pairing of Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain. Maradona is likely to opt for three at the back, with Martin Demichelis and Gabriel Heinze flanking the vastly experienced Walter Samuel. Highly fancied to go far this time round due to their immense goalscoring potential, La Albiceleste will now need to confirm that potential on the pitch.
In the opposing camp, Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback, though deprived of one of his driving forces, the injured John Obi Mikel, has made it clear that his team are not in South Africa to simply make up the numbers. Nigeria have lost to Argentina at the FIFA World Cup twice before, in 1994 (1-2) and in 2002 (0-1). Nigeria fans, however, will hope that on their own continent they will constitute an altogether different prospect.
In focus
Howard v the England attack
USA's athletic goalkeeper Tim Howard may start the match with a psychological advantage over England's strike force, as none of Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch managed to get the better of the Everton custodian in the Premier League last season. Jermain Defoe stands alone in having beaten Howard, netting against him for Tottenham Hotspur in a 2-2 draw, but the American had the last laugh that day, saving the striker's potentially match-winning penalty in injury time.
What they said
"Our squad is made up of experienced players who are used to winning. That’s often crucial in this tournament. You first need to know what it feels like to win before you aim even higher," Joe Cole, England midfielder
Past meetings
In a twist of fate often seen in the competition, Maradona faces Nigeria in his first match as a coach in the FIFA World Cup, almost 16 years to the day since his last match as an Argentina player against the very same team.
Did you know?
England suffered one of the most surprising defeats in FIFA World Cup history in 1950, when, in their maiden campaign, they succumbed 1-0 to USA, with Joe Gaetjens grabbing the now legendary winner. The story goes that many newspaper editors back in England, unwilling to believe the news they had just been delivered, and fearing a typographical error, took the decision not to cover the match in their early editions. One English publication even went so far as to announce a 10-1 victory for the overwhelming pre-match favourites.
Trivia
Tickets are hard to come by for the much-anticipated game between England and USA at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. In fact, with a capacity of 38,646, it represents the smallest of the tournament's ten different venues, dwarfed by the 84,490 seats available at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium.
Diego Maradona makes his highly-anticipated return to the FIFA World Cup™ today when two group favourites, his Argentina side and Fabio Capello's England, get their campaigns underway. Maradona will make his debut as a coach in the tournament, hoping to lead La Albiceleste to victory over a Nigeria side hoping for third-time lucky and boosted by 'home' advantage.
The other game in Group B sees Otto Rehhagel's disciplined Greece take on a highly ambitious Korea Republic side, in what has all the hallmarks of a tight encounter. Despite some disappointing warm-up results – two defeats and a draw – Greece's experience may prove crucial although Huh Jung-Moo's Taeguk Warriors, who hope to include injury doubt Lee Dong-Gook in attack, showed in a recent 1-0 loss to Spain and 2-0 win over Japan that they are a force to be reckoned with.
In Group C, England coach Capello will have to compensate for the injury-enforced absences of Rio Ferdinand, ruled out of the competition altogether, and Gareth Barry, who is not yet back to full fitness. The Italian will therefore be doing his utmost to ensure that defender Ledley King remains healthy. England’s friendly results and performances in the build-up did not inspire great confidence, but they will hope to answer their critics in style against USA. The potential repositioning of Steven Gerrard just in front of the defence has the look of a temporary solution, applied to counter the incisive attacking bursts of an American team hoping to reproduce the same shock result they enjoyed in 1950.
The matches
Korea Republic-Greece, Group B, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, 13.30 (local time)
Argentina-Nigeria, Group B, Johannesburg (Ellis Park), 16.00 (local time)
England-USA, Group C, Rustenburg, 20.30 (local time)
The big game
Argentina-Nigeria
Ahead of Argentina's opening match against the Super Eagles, Maradona is well aware that his chosen starting XI will provoke much discussion, analysis, criticism and praise back home. The former world champion has promised an attacking line-up, possibly with Lionel Messi operating just behind a front pairing of Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain. Maradona is likely to opt for three at the back, with Martin Demichelis and Gabriel Heinze flanking the vastly experienced Walter Samuel. Highly fancied to go far this time round due to their immense goalscoring potential, La Albiceleste will now need to confirm that potential on the pitch.
In the opposing camp, Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback, though deprived of one of his driving forces, the injured John Obi Mikel, has made it clear that his team are not in South Africa to simply make up the numbers. Nigeria have lost to Argentina at the FIFA World Cup twice before, in 1994 (1-2) and in 2002 (0-1). Nigeria fans, however, will hope that on their own continent they will constitute an altogether different prospect.
In focus
Howard v the England attack
USA's athletic goalkeeper Tim Howard may start the match with a psychological advantage over England's strike force, as none of Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch managed to get the better of the Everton custodian in the Premier League last season. Jermain Defoe stands alone in having beaten Howard, netting against him for Tottenham Hotspur in a 2-2 draw, but the American had the last laugh that day, saving the striker's potentially match-winning penalty in injury time.
What they said
"Our squad is made up of experienced players who are used to winning. That’s often crucial in this tournament. You first need to know what it feels like to win before you aim even higher," Joe Cole, England midfielder
Past meetings
In a twist of fate often seen in the competition, Maradona faces Nigeria in his first match as a coach in the FIFA World Cup, almost 16 years to the day since his last match as an Argentina player against the very same team.
Did you know?
England suffered one of the most surprising defeats in FIFA World Cup history in 1950, when, in their maiden campaign, they succumbed 1-0 to USA, with Joe Gaetjens grabbing the now legendary winner. The story goes that many newspaper editors back in England, unwilling to believe the news they had just been delivered, and fearing a typographical error, took the decision not to cover the match in their early editions. One English publication even went so far as to announce a 10-1 victory for the overwhelming pre-match favourites.
Trivia
Tickets are hard to come by for the much-anticipated game between England and USA at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. In fact, with a capacity of 38,646, it represents the smallest of the tournament's ten different venues, dwarfed by the 84,490 seats available at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium.
source:fifa.com
Friday, June 11, 2010
World Cup : 1st match live result & live blog
South Africa 1: Mexico 0
at 55 min Siphiwe Tshabalala give a goal,
It's the first goal of this World Cup 2010 South Africa.
now, at time 61 minute:
RSA 1 :Mexico 0
at 64 minute:
RSA 1 :Mexico 0
at 79 minute:
RSA 1 - Mexico 1
Rafael Marquez made a goal. He was totally unmarked.
at 87 minute:
RSA 1 :Mexico 1
at 89 minutes:
kick ... but side bar is protected. so unlucky for South Africa.
Now, total result is RSA 1 :Mexico 1 after full time. The match is draw.
So, both team got 1 point each.
at 55 min Siphiwe Tshabalala give a goal,
It's the first goal of this World Cup 2010 South Africa.
now, at time 61 minute:
RSA 1 :Mexico 0
at 64 minute:
RSA 1 :Mexico 0
at 79 minute:
RSA 1 - Mexico 1
Rafael Marquez made a goal. He was totally unmarked.
at 87 minute:
RSA 1 :Mexico 1
at 89 minutes:
kick ... but side bar is protected. so unlucky for South Africa.
Now, total result is RSA 1 :Mexico 1 after full time. The match is draw.
So, both team got 1 point each.
Cole looks to England experience
England midfielder Joe Cole is hoping that the old adage about there being no substitute for experience will ring true for Fabio Capello's squad in South Africa over the coming month.
The England party is the oldest to represent their country at a FIFA World Cup™ – their average age of 28.7 years surpassing the previous record of 28.4 set in 1954 – and Cole is confident this will serve them well as they look to better their quarter-final exits of 2002 and 2006.
The former West Ham United wunderkind, now 28, told FIFA: "When you look around at what the players have achieved, there are Premier League winners, Champions League winners, FA Cup winners. The squad is full of players with experience of winning. That's the important thing in the tournament. You need to know how it feels to win. You need to know what's on the line."
This is the third FIFA World Cup for Cole, one of four survivors from England's 2002 campaign. Capped 54 times, he played just 16 minutes as a substitute against Sweden in Korea/Japan but four years later in Germany started every match and produced one of the goals of the tournament – a spectacular dipping volley against the Swedes in the first round.
While England's squad in 2006 was erroneously dubbed the "golden generation" by sections of the UK media, there has been a more cautious treatment of their prospects this time. Yet with Wayne Rooney in his prime at 24, Cole believes the squad's older players – ten of them were born in 1980 or before – will be determined to take their "last chance" on the world stage, despite the loss of injured captain Rio Ferdinand.
He said: "The big difference is that we've got a fit Wayne Rooney in this squad. And the squad is quite experienced. In 2002 it was a bit too young and in the last World Cup, obviously he wasn't fit. We suffered the injury of Michael [Owen] as well. Obviously we're missing Rio but this squad is balanced. I think this is a lot of guys' last chance, considering their age at this World Cup."
Cole finished the season with Premier League and FA Cup winners' medals, together with the squad's other Chelsea players John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole. Unlike that trio, however, he will be departing Stamford Bridge on a free transfer during the close season, as confirmed by the London club this week. Cole made only 14 starts in the Premier League in 2009/10 after failing to convince manager Carlo Ancelotti he was worthy of a regular place following his return from a cruciate ligament injury.
That injury meant he made only two appearances in qualifying but, after a frustrating campaign, he is understandably delighted to be featuring for his country now in South Africa. He struck England's second goal in their 3-0 friendly win over Platinum Stars on Monday and is expected to start Saturday's opening Group C fixture against USA on the left side of midfield.
"I'm buzzing," said the Londoner. "I love my football, this is the pinnacle." And he is determined to make the most of what may be his last finals on the world stage. "Whatever happens in your career you get remembered for your World Cups. Because the whole world's eyes are on you, and it's time to perform – as a country, as a team, doing something incredible and putting your name down in history."
source:www.fifa.com
Colour and rhythm in African celebration
The South Africa 2010 party got under way in style last night with a joyous, colourful and truly African FIFA World Cup™ Kick-off Celebration Concert in Soweto, Johannesburg.
Held in the football heartland that is Orlando Stadium, home of iconic club side Orlando Pirates, the concert featured a host of stars including Shakira, Alicia Keys, K'Naan and the Black Eyed Peas. A wide variety of acts took to the stage but the abiding theme was one of celebration for the African continent with the event broadcast across the world.
The countdown clock introducing the three-hour extravaganza finally hit zero and with it came a cacophonous roar as seemingly thousands of South Africa flags were lifted aloft creating an ocean of colour among the estimated 30,000 in attendance. Joining the countless Rainbow Nation colours were a broad cross-section of national flags representing every corner of the globe, as the many visitors in attendance took the opportunity to enjoy Africa’s impressive ability to turn on a party.
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and South African President Jacob Zuma jointly opened the concert after the early acts. As the evening progressed a cavalcade of football stars took to the stage between performances including former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe, Christian Karembeu, Quinton Fortune, Socrates and Jay Jay Okacha. Another joyous presenter was Archbishop Desmond Tutu decked out in Bafana Bafana supporter gear and who introduced a video presentation on Nelson Mandela with trademark enthusiasm.
The large crowd rarely dropped their energy levels and their infectious enthusiasm was palpable. "I have been to a lot of concerts but I have never been to a concert like this," said ebullient Johannesburg resident Khensami Majola, just as K'Naan took to the stage to perform his poignant song 'Wavin Flag'. "It is amazing fun, we are having a huge jam. It is a perfect presentation of Africa – north, south, east and west." The concert drew to a spectacular conclusion with Colombian pop princess Shakira in impressive form. She was joined on stage by Freshlyground for a rendition of 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)', the Official FIFA World Cup theme.
Another proud concert-goer was Soweto local William Oosthuizen who spoke with pride as he took a rare break from dancing. "I am very proud and I am enjoying this immensely,” he said. “Beauty in the heart of Soweto. This is what Africa is all about. Sport has a unifying factor and it’s all about people enjoying themselves."
source:www.fifa.com
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Concert review: World Cup kick-off concert in Johannesburg, South Africa
“It's time for Africa,” boomed the voice of the announcer in Johannesburg's Orlando Stadium on Thursday, at the climax of the all-star concert kicking off soccer's World Cup. “It's time for Shakira!”
The announcement laid bare an inconsistency that many consider a problem as Africa celebrates its first time hosting this massive sporting event. The tourney's official anthem is a cover of the Cameroonian song “Waka Waka” by the Colombian pop star Shakira, who headlined Thursday's show. Many South Africans have protested the choice of a non-African artist as the World Cup's musical voice; this concert occurred in the wake of the debate and staged its own argument about where African music resides in the world.
The event, telecast on ESPN2 and streamed live on Vevo.com, featured more African performers than visitors, spanning generations, styles and national borders. Venerated elder Hugh Masakela was first to appear, playing his flugelhorn in accompaniment to the young South African star Lira. Others featured included the Malians Amadou & Mariam and Vieux Farka Toure, the desert rock band Tinariwen, Beninoise singer Angelique Kidjo and South African folk hero Vusi Mahlasela.
Somali expat K'Naan, who now lives in Canada, brought down the house with his “Wavin' Flag,” which many had hoped would become the tournament's official anthem. Kidjo and Mahlasela performed separately and together, sampling from their rich catalogs to present a variety of African music, including protest cries and party shouts.
African rock music got its moment too, as BLK JKS shared the stage with Alicia Keys for a Curtis Mayfield-style jam. Goth-flavored rockers the Parlotones got a song, as did the hip-hop group Big Nuz featuring DJ Tira though that lively bunch was seen only on the Internet stream, sacrificed to a commercial break on television.
The varied sounds made by these stars -- most of whom have successful crossover careers in Europe and America -- placed the day's non-African performers in context.
Keys and John Legend worked extra hard to keep their short sets groovy, tapping into the spirit of African drumming that permeated the whole show. The Black Eyed Peas opened with a fairly standard set, but members will.i.am and Taboo made cameo appearances with other artists that indicated the consummate pop group's desire to make global connections (or to maintain global domination).
Taboo's moment came during an excellent set by Colombian singer Juanes, whose soukous-flavored guitar lines and rolling rhythms brightly illustrated how Latin music belongs to the African diaspora. The Chicano member of the Peas offered a sharp rap and shouted “Viva Mexico,” in favor of his favorite soccer team.
Joining K'Naan, will.i.am grabbed whatever flag was handy at what could have been the concert's crowning moment, the boisterous singalong to “Wavin' Flag.” But then came Shakira, in an ill-advised Roberto Cavalli outfit that looked like a costume from “The Lion King.”
Despite her fashion misstep, the Colombian powerhouse made a case for herself with a set that focused on the heavy beats in her own music -- not just “Waka Waka” but also the samba-flavored “Hips Don't Lie” and the more contemporary electro beats of “She Wolf.”
Shakira's career is a global phenomenon, as is soccer itself. Bilingual and truly cosmopolitan, she represents the audience who'll be cheering on this month's champions as well as any pop star could. Thursday, her answer to those who've criticized her song was a visual as well as a musical one: She filled the stage with African dancers, singers and musicians, who almost overshadowed her as she performed the song. It was just a symbolic gesture, but a strong one in this evening-long review of pop music's journey from Africa to every corner of the earth, and back.
-- Ann Powers
Photo: Shakira at the FIFA World Cup kick-off concert in Johannesburg, South Africa. Credit: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images.
FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert
FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert now Shakira singing
World Cup 2010: Group A: South Africa Vs Maxico team line-ups
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg
June 11
Referee :Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
South Africa team line-ups :[ 4-4-1-1 ]
Coach :Carlos Alberto Parreira
Players:Itumeleng Khune
Siboniso Gaxa
Bongani Khumalo
Aaron Mokoena
Lucas Bongane Thwala
Teko Modise
Renielwe Letsholonyane
Kagisho Dikgacoi
Siphiwe Tshabalala
Steven Pienaar
Katlego Mphela
Mexico team line-ups:[ 4-3-3 ]
Coach :Javier Aguirre Onaindía
Players:Oscar Perez
Paul Aguilar
Francisco Rodriguez
Ricardo Osorio
Carlos Salcido
Gerardo Torrado
Rafael Marquez
Efrain Juarez
Giovani dos Santos
Javier Hernandez
Carlos Vela
June 11
Referee :Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
South Africa team line-ups :[ 4-4-1-1 ]
Coach :Carlos Alberto Parreira
Players:Itumeleng Khune
Siboniso Gaxa
Bongani Khumalo
Aaron Mokoena
Lucas Bongane Thwala
Teko Modise
Renielwe Letsholonyane
Kagisho Dikgacoi
Siphiwe Tshabalala
Steven Pienaar
Katlego Mphela
Mexico team line-ups:[ 4-3-3 ]
Coach :Javier Aguirre Onaindía
Players:Oscar Perez
Paul Aguilar
Francisco Rodriguez
Ricardo Osorio
Carlos Salcido
Gerardo Torrado
Rafael Marquez
Efrain Juarez
Giovani dos Santos
Javier Hernandez
Carlos Vela
World Cup 2010:Maradona - madman or genius?
"What an a------- you are! How can you put your leg there where it can get run over, man?"
In charge: Diego Maradona, right, imparts some words of wisdom to Javier Mascherano Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Diego Maradona's already fabled rebuke to the television cameraman whose foot he had just run over in his car en route to the Argentine training complex in Buenos Aires – now the poor fellow knows why he works for Channel 13 – could just as well stand as his World Cup mission declaration: 'Don't stand in my way; El Diez is coming through.'
But what if people don't believe in you, Diego? "Well, they can suck on it and keeping sucking," as he once retorted so charmingly. No explanations, no arguments, no justification; just gaze at your crushed toe, grin and bear it.
As he puffs away on his cigar here like his hero Fidel Castro, you just know Argentina have to do it Maradona's own autocratic, idiosyncratic way at this World Cup because, from the moment the nation's demigod said he wanted to run the nation's team, even though everyone could see that putting an absolute beginner of a coach in charge was an idea fraught with peril, he could not be denied.
Maradona wanted the job so badly that the last drama to befall him before arriving here in South Africa even centred on whether he actually manoeuvred to oust his predecessor, Alfio Basile, from his post.
"As a person, Maradona is garbage – good for nothing, no dignity," Jorge Robolzi, his chief accuser and one of Basile's old assistants, protested. Maradona simply batted away the accusations as absurd.
While Argentina prepare for their opener against Nigeria here at Johannesburg's Ellis Park, a nation has come to accept that, for better or worse, the epic narrative of Maradona's career meant he would lead his country into battle once more.
But they are still not sure whether their general is a madman or a genius. A year ago, they thought he was Douglas Haig, presiding over chaos; suddenly, they are prepared to convince themselves he is their Montgomery, a bearded wisdom having descended at the appointed hour.
"He changed the way he expresses himself, calmer, more thoughtful, more cautious," Ruben Capria, one of Argentina's army of former players turned pundits, argues.
Not that the critics agree: Ossie Ardiles was still taking his old team-mate to task over his "stupid" and "irresponsible" decision making.
It was in June 1994 that he walked off the pitch against Nigeria at Boston's Foxboro Stadium pumped with five soon-to-be detected performance enhancing drugs; this Saturday, he will walk to the dugout, still the absolute centre of attention, still inhabiting the bizarre place that is Planet Maradona.
Maradona's qualifying campaign invited utter ridicule, with its muddle-headed employment of 107 different players. Jorge Olguin, a World Cup winner from 1978, had noted damningly then: "Maradona doesn't have a clear idea about what he wants. I don't know how Maradona wants to play."
Nobody did. And nobody can be sure now, even if the fond belief is that something has changed for the better in the Argentina camp, even the unthinkable prospect that Maradona is actually doing some listening as well as commanding, maybe even for once heeding a word or two from his 71-year-old assistant Carlos Bilardo, coach of the 1986 champions.
A system has emerged this year; not universally admired, maybe as flawed as Ardiles suggests, but at least a coherent, consistent plan, built on the absolute unadventurous security of four centre-backs – Nicolas Otamendi, Martin Demichelis, Walter Samuel and Gabriel Heinze – patrolled by a midfield sentry, Javier Mascherano.
Juan Sebastian Veron acts as a deep-lying string puller with two busy wide men, Newcastle's Jonás Gutiérrez and the abundantly gifted Angel Di Maria, serving two strikers, Gonzalo Higuain and the free-roaming Lionel Messi.
This side, which beat Germany, Maradona vowed, would be his starting line-up against Nigeria, the great individualist building a team essentially on conservatism, with almost criminal attacking riches like Carlos Tévez, Sergio Aguero, Diego Milito and Javier Pastore stuck on the bench.
Yet, being Maradona, wouldn't it now be typical that he throws this out for the much more adventurous 3-4-3 he has apparently been practising behind closed doors with an attacking trident of Messi, Tévez and Higuain?
Whatever the system, Messi holds the key. Maradona looks at the Barcelona sorcerer and sees the story of 1986 replaying itself, the tale of supposed no-hopers transformed by one player of genius. But having looked so unstoppable for club, why has he looked lost for country? A sign of Maradona's tactical cluelessness?
Maradona responds that he had never previously had a chance to talk at length with Messi "because he is more difficult to get hold of than Obama".
However, after a two-hour meeting in Madrid in April when Messi was able to detail what he believed his best role was for Argentina, the headstrong one took it on board.
Perhaps one image still seduces Maradona's compatriots. That of a little big man sliding across the rain-sodden Monumental pitch in Buenos Aires last October like a beached porpoise, celebrating a 92nd minute "miracle" goal from Martin Palermo to down Peru and rescue Argentina's qualification.
Oddly, this became Argentina's new image of hope; the sheer unbridled, reckless joy of a man-child, still crazy after all those 49 years.
The second commandment of the Rosario-based Maradonian Church, whose 120,000 followers still worship at his left foot in this year of their god 49AD (After Diego), is "Thou shalt love football over all things".
Forty million sceptical Argentines could still give him an argument about tactics but they still find this trait fairly irresistible.
"You have to put all your heart into winning the World Cup," he declared on a TV show before flying out to South Africa. "You've got to give your life."
For all his flaws, a country fancies Maradona's saving grace is that he still honestly would.
In charge: Diego Maradona, right, imparts some words of wisdom to Javier Mascherano Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Diego Maradona's already fabled rebuke to the television cameraman whose foot he had just run over in his car en route to the Argentine training complex in Buenos Aires – now the poor fellow knows why he works for Channel 13 – could just as well stand as his World Cup mission declaration: 'Don't stand in my way; El Diez is coming through.'
But what if people don't believe in you, Diego? "Well, they can suck on it and keeping sucking," as he once retorted so charmingly. No explanations, no arguments, no justification; just gaze at your crushed toe, grin and bear it.
As he puffs away on his cigar here like his hero Fidel Castro, you just know Argentina have to do it Maradona's own autocratic, idiosyncratic way at this World Cup because, from the moment the nation's demigod said he wanted to run the nation's team, even though everyone could see that putting an absolute beginner of a coach in charge was an idea fraught with peril, he could not be denied.
Maradona wanted the job so badly that the last drama to befall him before arriving here in South Africa even centred on whether he actually manoeuvred to oust his predecessor, Alfio Basile, from his post.
"As a person, Maradona is garbage – good for nothing, no dignity," Jorge Robolzi, his chief accuser and one of Basile's old assistants, protested. Maradona simply batted away the accusations as absurd.
While Argentina prepare for their opener against Nigeria here at Johannesburg's Ellis Park, a nation has come to accept that, for better or worse, the epic narrative of Maradona's career meant he would lead his country into battle once more.
But they are still not sure whether their general is a madman or a genius. A year ago, they thought he was Douglas Haig, presiding over chaos; suddenly, they are prepared to convince themselves he is their Montgomery, a bearded wisdom having descended at the appointed hour.
"He changed the way he expresses himself, calmer, more thoughtful, more cautious," Ruben Capria, one of Argentina's army of former players turned pundits, argues.
Not that the critics agree: Ossie Ardiles was still taking his old team-mate to task over his "stupid" and "irresponsible" decision making.
It was in June 1994 that he walked off the pitch against Nigeria at Boston's Foxboro Stadium pumped with five soon-to-be detected performance enhancing drugs; this Saturday, he will walk to the dugout, still the absolute centre of attention, still inhabiting the bizarre place that is Planet Maradona.
Maradona's qualifying campaign invited utter ridicule, with its muddle-headed employment of 107 different players. Jorge Olguin, a World Cup winner from 1978, had noted damningly then: "Maradona doesn't have a clear idea about what he wants. I don't know how Maradona wants to play."
Nobody did. And nobody can be sure now, even if the fond belief is that something has changed for the better in the Argentina camp, even the unthinkable prospect that Maradona is actually doing some listening as well as commanding, maybe even for once heeding a word or two from his 71-year-old assistant Carlos Bilardo, coach of the 1986 champions.
A system has emerged this year; not universally admired, maybe as flawed as Ardiles suggests, but at least a coherent, consistent plan, built on the absolute unadventurous security of four centre-backs – Nicolas Otamendi, Martin Demichelis, Walter Samuel and Gabriel Heinze – patrolled by a midfield sentry, Javier Mascherano.
Juan Sebastian Veron acts as a deep-lying string puller with two busy wide men, Newcastle's Jonás Gutiérrez and the abundantly gifted Angel Di Maria, serving two strikers, Gonzalo Higuain and the free-roaming Lionel Messi.
This side, which beat Germany, Maradona vowed, would be his starting line-up against Nigeria, the great individualist building a team essentially on conservatism, with almost criminal attacking riches like Carlos Tévez, Sergio Aguero, Diego Milito and Javier Pastore stuck on the bench.
Yet, being Maradona, wouldn't it now be typical that he throws this out for the much more adventurous 3-4-3 he has apparently been practising behind closed doors with an attacking trident of Messi, Tévez and Higuain?
Whatever the system, Messi holds the key. Maradona looks at the Barcelona sorcerer and sees the story of 1986 replaying itself, the tale of supposed no-hopers transformed by one player of genius. But having looked so unstoppable for club, why has he looked lost for country? A sign of Maradona's tactical cluelessness?
Maradona responds that he had never previously had a chance to talk at length with Messi "because he is more difficult to get hold of than Obama".
However, after a two-hour meeting in Madrid in April when Messi was able to detail what he believed his best role was for Argentina, the headstrong one took it on board.
Perhaps one image still seduces Maradona's compatriots. That of a little big man sliding across the rain-sodden Monumental pitch in Buenos Aires last October like a beached porpoise, celebrating a 92nd minute "miracle" goal from Martin Palermo to down Peru and rescue Argentina's qualification.
Oddly, this became Argentina's new image of hope; the sheer unbridled, reckless joy of a man-child, still crazy after all those 49 years.
The second commandment of the Rosario-based Maradonian Church, whose 120,000 followers still worship at his left foot in this year of their god 49AD (After Diego), is "Thou shalt love football over all things".
Forty million sceptical Argentines could still give him an argument about tactics but they still find this trait fairly irresistible.
"You have to put all your heart into winning the World Cup," he declared on a TV show before flying out to South Africa. "You've got to give your life."
For all his flaws, a country fancies Maradona's saving grace is that he still honestly would.
Take it all in, World Cup history begins today
The countdown on the FIFA website and our countdown to the right, tell you the World Cup starts today and in some weird universe where people care more about formalities than football, it does. For us, it starts tomorrow at 4.00pm when South Africa kick off against Mexico, but our point is, it is starting and history is getting made.
So, if you are in South Africa, take a moment, take several moments. Breath it all in and take as many mental and real images as you can. The World Cup comes to South Africa - officially the new home of football.
Also, if you are in South Africa, take every opportunity you can to explore - I promise you, if it is your first time in South Africa and you really do give it a chance, it won't be your last. But you need to get out and about as the football is only a few hours a day - the rest of the time is for seeing new things.
But, if you are not in South Africa you need to know what we are going to be doing here.
From this afternoon onwards - we are going to be focusing on the actual football. So for every match there will be a match preview and for every match there will be a match report. We have individual group pages and we have all the group fixtures on one page as well as every World Cup group table on another - all will be updated as soon as the match is over so you'll be able to get your information as you need it.
On the day of the match and during the match we will be updating our Twitter feed with team news and all the match action. Twitter is where you will get our micro blogging - short one liners about what is happening in South Africa throughout the World Cup. Twitter will also be a good place to be as we will drop links to new news on here and everywhere else on the web too.
So, according to FIFA, the World Cup starts today, according to us, the World Cup starts tomorrow - either way it is here. Welcome to the new home of football!
So, if you are in South Africa, take a moment, take several moments. Breath it all in and take as many mental and real images as you can. The World Cup comes to South Africa - officially the new home of football.
Also, if you are in South Africa, take every opportunity you can to explore - I promise you, if it is your first time in South Africa and you really do give it a chance, it won't be your last. But you need to get out and about as the football is only a few hours a day - the rest of the time is for seeing new things.
But, if you are not in South Africa you need to know what we are going to be doing here.
From this afternoon onwards - we are going to be focusing on the actual football. So for every match there will be a match preview and for every match there will be a match report. We have individual group pages and we have all the group fixtures on one page as well as every World Cup group table on another - all will be updated as soon as the match is over so you'll be able to get your information as you need it.
On the day of the match and during the match we will be updating our Twitter feed with team news and all the match action. Twitter is where you will get our micro blogging - short one liners about what is happening in South Africa throughout the World Cup. Twitter will also be a good place to be as we will drop links to new news on here and everywhere else on the web too.
So, according to FIFA, the World Cup starts today, according to us, the World Cup starts tomorrow - either way it is here. Welcome to the new home of football!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Brazil World Cup 2010 Squad declared Dunga
Ronaldinho and Adriano both absent for five-time World Cup winners
Brazilian manager Dunga has named his final 23 man squad for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.
The former international midfielder, who helped his side win the Jules Rimet in 1994 in USA, has decided not to follow the lead set by many other nations, including England, and has named his final squad a month before the tournament.
There is no place in the squad for former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, nor is there room for his AC Milan team-mate Alexandre Pato nor ex-Inter Milan striker Adriano.
Chelsea defender Alex also misses out, as does Liverpool midfielder Lucas. There is, however, a place for former Manchester City forward Robinho, and Manchester United flop Kleberson.
Full Brazil World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur)
Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg).
Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Grafite (VfL Wolfsburg).
Brazil are the 9/2 second favourites to win the World Cup with StanJames, who are offering to refund all bets on the tournament if favourites Spain triumph in South Africa.
2010 World Cup - The 23-man Italy squad according to Football Italiano
Italy’s 23-man World Cup 2010 squad (according to Football Italiano )
Goalkeepers
1. Buffon
14. Marchetti
12. De Sanctis
Defenders
3. Grosso
5. Cannavaro
4. Chiellini
19. Zambrotta
2. Cassani
6. Bocchetti
13. Bonucci
22. Criscito
Midfielders
10. De Rossi
17. Gattuso
21. Pirlo
20. Montolivo
18. Palombo
8. Marchisio
16. Camoranesi
Forwards
7. Di Natale
9. Pazzini
11. Gilardino
23. Rossi
15. Iaquinta
Alternatives
In goal, the uncapped Salvatore Sirigu is the only ‘keeper in a position to put pressure on the established trio. His fine form since replacing Rubinho as Palermo’s No.1 saw him called up for the friendly against Cameroon. Barring injury, his lack of international exposure will cost him this time, but the experience of being in and around the squad will stand him in good stead for the future.
Defence sees a genuine dearth of both options and quality available to Lippi – highlighted by the fact he has only chosen four centre-backs in his 30-man preliminary squad, leaving no-one to put pressure on the quartet expected to travel to South Africa. Nicola Legrottaglie – widely expected to be included – has seen poor form and lack of playing time scupper his chances, and in all probability his career at international level is over. Injuries have robbed Lippi of Alessandro Gamberini and Andrea Ranocchia, who are the only other central defenders who had a chance of making the squad.
There would have been a potentially fascinating fight for the full-back spots had Davide Santon not been injured. The Inter man would have been fairly certain of a spot in the 30-man preliminary squad. As it is, Christian Maggio will fight it out with Cassani for the honour of acting as Zambrotta’s reserve. Left-back seems more secure, with Criscito and Bocchetti both able to stand-in for Grosso. It is this that has probably led to Federico Balzaretti, the only other alternative on this flank, being ignored once more.
De Rossi, Gattuso, Marchisio, Camoranesi and Pirlo are certainties for the final squad. The rest depends on whether Lippi will take six forwards, and thus sacrifice a midfielder, as he did in 2006. If that is the case, then Montolivo, Antonio Candreva, Andrea Cossu and Palombo are battling for one spot. Noteworthy exclusions from the preliminary party include Massimo Ambrosini, who has been in much better form than teammate Gattuso this season, yet misses out. Simone Perrotta was so vital to the functioning of the 2006 unit, but he too failed to make the cut. Alberto Aquilani’s struggles with injury, playing time and consistent form mean he had little chance of breaking through this year.
In attack there is a plethora of options available to Lippi, should he choose to shake things up. Giampaolo Pazzini enjoyed a solid end to the 2008/09 campaign, and continued that form this season. He faces competition from Marco Borriello for the role of Gilardino’s understudy, but would be very unlucky to lose out to the Milan striker. The other battle is between Fabio Quagliarella and Rossi – both of whom fulfil similar roles in the team. Quagliarella has benefitted hugely from Napoli Coach Walter Mazzari’s decision to swap his position with that of Ezequiel Lavezzi – the result of which has seen the Italian hit a vein of form that may well have secured a spot on the plane.
Antonio Di Natale is one player whose international career could have gone either way at the beginning of the season. At 31, time is against him, but it is impossible to ignore a player who has scored 28 Serie A goals in 34 appearances this season (only Didier Drogba and Lionel Messi are above him in the race for Europe’s Golden Shoe) – and this with one game of the season to go. His spot in the squad is secure, and he should make the starting line-up for the first game at least.
Overall, Lippi has more or less selected the best players available to him, barring a certain Antonio Cassano and possibly Fabrizio Miccoli (who is injured anyway, and will miss the tournament). It is difficult to argue for the inclusion of any player that has not made Lippi’s squad, as the Coach has not left a genuine candidate out who could make a difference to this team other than the aforementioned duo. His talents as a Coach will be tested with a modest squad this summer. Worse teams than this have won the World Cup before, but it is difficult to see it happening again in July.
With the big kick-off in South Africa only weeks away, Football Italiano takes you through the 23 players likely to make Marcello Lippi’s Italy squad for the 2010 World Cup.
We have followed the Azzurri and the players mentioned below closely through the 2009/10 season and present our selection based on those who featured during the qualifying campaign, prominently during friendlies, and form for their clubs throughout the season. As a result of our effort to enter Lippi’s mind, a certain Sampdoria fantasista has not been considered.
1 Gianluigi Buffon
Club - Juventus
Age - 32 (January 28, 1978)
Caps/goals - 100/0
Azzurri position - Goalkeeper
2010 target - Fitness will be Buffon’s only concern ahead of the 2010 tournament. The Juve man has been No 1 for his country for most of his distinguished career and only another long-term injury such as the one that saw him miss the early stages of last season will see him miss Lippi’s final selection.
14 Federico Marchetti
Club - Cagliari
Age - 27 (February 7, 1983)
Caps/goals - 4/0
Azzurri position - Goalkeeper
2010 target - A year ago, Marchetti was the new kid on the block in the Azzurri goalkeeping department when he made his debut against Northern Ireland in June 2009. His fantastic form for Cagliari, coupled with Marco Amelia’s patchy performances at Palermo last season, and Genoa this campaign, have seen Marchetti cement his position as Buffon’s understudy.
12 Morgan De Sanctis
Club - Napoli
Age - 33 (March 26, 1977)
Caps/goals - 3/0
Azzurri position - Goalkeeper
2010 target - Having spent 2008/09 on loan from Sevilla at Turkish club Galatasaray, De Sanctis’ stable 2009/10 campaign means he maintains his position in the squad. He will go as third-choice, proof of which lies in his limited opportunities at international level – he has just three caps to his name since his 2005 debut.
3 Fabio Grosso
Club - Juventus
Age - 32 (November 28, 1977)
Caps/goals - 48/4
Azzurri position - Left-back
2010 target - A poor season at Juventus means that a position that looked so secure before the start of the season is now under threat from Domenico Criscito. Grosso is fortunate Lippi has a habit of staying loyal to his men, because a different Coach would take the step of benching him. It is this loyalty that is likely to see the Juve man retain his first-team place for the Azzurri in the summer.
5 Fabio Cannavaro
Club - Juventus
Age - 36 (September 13, 1973)
Caps/goals - 132/2
Azzurri position - Centre-back
2010 target - Another who has suffered from a dismal campaign at Juventus. As captain, he will be one of the first names on the team sheet, but there are now question marks over his ability to cope at international level (which arose at the 2009 Confederations Cup)..
4 Giorgio Chiellini
Club - Juventus
Age - 25 (August 14, 1984)
Caps/goals - 28/2
Azzurri position - Centre-back
2010 target - At club level Chiellini has had an excellent opportunity to build up a fluid understanding with both Buffon and Cannavaro. Having had a superb season for Juventus, he is guaranteed a spot in the squad, and barring injury will take his place in the first-XI.
19 Gianluca Zambrotta
Club - Milan
Age - 33 (February 19, 1977)
Caps/goals - 92/2
Azzurri position - Right-back
2010 target - Zambrotta’s experience at international events will alone almost be enough to pull him to South Africa. But he has lost the pace and stamina of yesteryear, and at times it has shown this season for Milan. Like Grosso, he is likely to benefit from Lippi’s loyalty to the old guard, and should retain a starting berth.
2 Mattia Cassani
Club - Palermo
Age - 26 (August 26, 1983)
Caps/goals - 2/0
Azzurri position - Right-back
2010 target - Injury to Davide Santon has seen a spot in the squad open for a reserve right-back. Cassani is likely to be the beneficiary after an excellent season with Palermo, whose challenge for the Champions League places has seen the profile of their players rise considerably. The fact he plays at right-back for his club gives him the edge over Christian Maggio, his main rival for a squad place.
13 Leonardo Bonucci
Club - Bari
Age - 23 (May 1, 1987)
Caps/goals - 1/0
Azzurri position - Centre-back
2010 target - Injury disrupting Alessandro Gamberini’s year, combined with eye-catching performances at the heart of Bari’s defence this season, has propelled Bonucci into contention for a place in the squad. He may well be fourth-choice, but the experience could be invaluable for the future.
6 Salvatore Bocchetti
Club - Genoa
Age - 23 (November 30, 1986)
Caps/goals - 3/0
Azzurri position - Centre-back
2010 target - In what is probably the biggest surprise of the squad, Bocchetti will head to South Africa in place of Nicola Legrottaglie. His ability to cover the left-back spot was no doubt in Lippi’s mind when selecting him.
22 Domenico Criscito
Club - Genoa
Age - 23 (December 30, 1986)
Caps/goals - 5/0
Azzurri position - Left-back
2010 target - Criscito was one of several players to enjoy a raised profile off the back of an impressive 2008/09 team campaign at Genoa. Various changes in personnel have broken up the unity that characterised Genoa’s success, and they have suffered in 2009/10 as a result. Criscito, however, continues to impress and has not put a foot wrong since making his debut for Italy. He can consider himself unlucky if, as expected, he does not make the starting XI at the World Cup.
10 Daniele De Rossi
Club - Roma
Age - 26 (July 24, 1983)
Caps/goals - 52/8
Azzurri position - Centre-midfield
2010 target - De Rossi, in Lippi’s favoured 4-3-3, is a certainty for the starting XI. Should Lippi decide to shuffle things around, De Rossi’s only concern will be if the tactician opts for a Gattuso-Pirlo central midfield pairing. However, with Pirlo having been shunted left in recent Azzurri four-man midfields and De Rossi settled at international level and entering his peak years as a player, the Roman has nothing to worry about.
17 Gennaro Gattuso
Club - Milan
Age - 32 (January 9, 1978)
Caps/goals - 71/1
Azzurri position - Centre-midfield
2010 target - An icon for the Azzurri, Gattuso’s role fits into both the three and four-man midfield options and there are few, if any, players in the Italian set-up who can offer Gattuso’s experience and capability in the centre of the pitch. His starting place is under severe threat from Claudio Marchisio to an extent that he will probably start the tournament on the bench.
21 Andrea Pirlo
Club - Milan
Age - 30 (May 19, 1979)
Caps/goals - 65/8
Azzurri position - Centre-midfield
2010 target - Pirlo has been the fulcrum for both club and country and is relied upon in the Azzurri set-up for his creativity and range of passing. The Confederations Cup showed he has the potential to play alongside De Rossi in the middle of the park and also recapture the inspirational form the country last saw in the 2006 World Cup.
20 Riccardo Montolivo
Club - Fiorentina
Age - 25 (January 18, 1985)
Caps/goals - 12/0
Azzurri position - Centre-midfield
2010 target - It is stick-or-twist time for the Viola man. So often enjoying long runs of good form for his club side, Montolivo needs to rise to the higher levels of international football or risk seeing the World Cup as the beginning of the end of what has been a mediocre Azzurri career to date.
18 Angelo Palombo
Club - Sampdoria
Age - 28 (September 25, 1981)
Caps/goals - 15/0
Azzurri position - Centre-midfield
2010 target - A Lippi favourite throughout qualifying, consistently making his squads, Sampdoria’s challenge for the Champions League places in 2009/10 has seen many of their players rise to prominence in much the same way as Palermo’s Italian contingent. Faces tough competition in what is a strong area for Italy, and his place in the 23-man squad for South Africa is by no means guaranteed should Lippi decide to take a sixth forward, as he did in 2006.
8 Claudio Marchisio
Club - Juventus
Age - 24 (January 19, 1986)
Caps/goals - 3/0
Azzurri position - Centre-midfield
2010 target - A debut in the friendly against Switzerland at the very beginning of the season, and Marchisio has not looked back since. He impressed in that game playing on the left hand side of midfield, and although injury has limited his caps since, a fine season at Juventus and his ability to cover two roles in midfield means he has every chance of obtaining a starting place.
16 Mauro Camoranesi
Club - Juventus
Age - 33 (October 4, 1976)
Caps/goals - 53/5
Azzurri position - Right-wing
2010 target - Camoranesi has been desperately shy of form for the Azzurri and struggles with the pressure of being the only source of crosses for the frontmen in Lippi’s 4-3-3. The Argentine-born winger needs to get back to basics - rediscover the ability to beat the first man and deliver countless balls into the box. Despite this he is unlikely to lose his starting place, primarily because he is the best wide-player in the squad.
7 Antonio Di Natale
Club - Udinese
Age - 32 (October 13, 1977)
Caps/goals - 31/9
Azzurri position - Left-wing/forward
2010 target - A stunning 2009/10 season with Udinese has sealed a squad place that would have been in doubt at the beginning of the campaign. Question marks still remain over whether he is good enough for international football, but a superb goalscoring season and his ability to play out wide will see him on the plane to South Africa. Do not expect a similar goal return for Italy in the summer – his position for his club differs slightly from that of his country.
9 Giampaolo Pazzini
Club - Fiorentina
Age - 25 (August 2, 1984)
Caps/goals - 6/1
Azzurri position - Forward
2010 target - Now finally settled at a club, Pazzini has shown in a season-and-a-half with Sampdoria the sort of talent that marked him out as a great prospect when he played for the Azzurrini. He has scored 28 goals in 54 appearances since moving to Samp, and his form this season has propelled him to the head of the queue to take the place as Alberto Gilardino’s reserve in the squad to South Africa.
11 Alberto Gilardino
Club - Fiorentina
Age - 27 (July 5, 1982)
Caps/goals - 39/16
Azzurri position - Forward
2010 target - 2009/10 has seen Gilardino cement his position as his country’s first-choice prima punta, top scoring in qualifying with four goals, although this statistic is slightly misleading (all four goals were scored in the last two games of the campaign). He has not scored as many goals in Serie A this season as Pazzini, but his track record for Italy and his regular experience in the Champions League over the past two years should give him the edge for a starting place.
23 Giuseppe Rossi
Club - Villarreal
Age - 23 (February 1, 1987)
Caps/goals - 14/3
Azzurri position - Forward
2010 target - Wildly inconsistent – capable of the sublime and the absurd in equal measure. His efforts coming off the bench against USA in last year’s Confederations Cup highlight the ability the youngster has when played in his correct position. He is in direct competition with Fabio Quagliarella for a spot in the 23-man squad, and his inability to adapt to a wide role could see him lose out if Lippi decides against taking six forwards.
15 Vincenzo Iaquinta
Club - Juventus
Age - 30 (November 21, 1979)
Caps/goals - 35/5
Azzurri position - Forward
2010 target - Iaquinta’s place in the squad is under scrutiny. His goal-return for the Azzurri is poor and he was found lacking at the Confederations Cup. Prior to his meniscus injury, he was in great form for Juventus. He has struggled somewhat to reach that level on his return. His place on the plane is relatively secure thanks to his ability to play out wide, though his game in a central role with a strike partner should not be underestimated.
Spain name final 23 man World Cup 2010 squad
Spain have announced their final 23 man squad although they still have until June 1st to officially submit this to FIFA, so it is possible to change, although these are the players Vicente del Bosque wants to take to South Africa.
There is a place for Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas but not for Euro 2008 winner Marcos Senna who has struggled with injuries all season.
The big surprise, for me anyway, is that Spain have also named named three uncapped players in Barcelona's Victor Valdes and Pedro, and Javi Martinez of Athletic Bilbao. This is a big tournament and not one to be taking chances, he must have a lot of confidence in these players.
Spain 23 man World Cup 2010 squad
Goalkeepers:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel 'Pepe' Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders:
Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).
Midfielders:
Xabier Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javier Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona).
Strikers:
Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia).
Zuma urges parents to be extra vigilant during World Cup
Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has urged parents and care givers to be extra vigilant and ensure their children’s safety during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking in Atteridgeville at the launch of Child Protection Week and the Children’s Act, which came into effect on 1 April 2010, Zuma said the extended schools’ closure for the mid-term vacation will leave large numbers of children without full time supervision.
He said that whilst government will play its part, parents and caregivers also have to be extra vigilant and ensure that their children are supervised and provided with guidance at all times.
“Whilst we are celebrating, let’s be vigilant to those who see the world cup as an opportunity to take people to other countries.
“Children wandering alone in shopping malls and football stadiums will be vulnerable to people with evil intentions,” Zuma said, warning that human trafficking is a threat that must be taken seriously.
Global trade in human trafficking is estimated at 32 Billion US dollars annually, six to eight hundred thousand people are trafficked annually and lured by offers of employment, education or a better life and end up in foreign countries.
Approximately 80 percent of victims are women and girls and up to 50 percent are minor children.
He said government departments including UNICEF, police, justice officials, social workers and other service professionals are preparing to provide assistance in host cities and other areas.
“Dedicated provincial anti-human trafficking police coordinators and task teams have been established. There are competent human trafficking investigators in every Organised Crime Unit and regular training workshops are presented to the police, especially to front line officers working at ports of entry,” Zuma said.
This year’s Child Protection Week, which runs from 24 to 30 May 2010, will focus on the protection of children during the World Cup.
Zuma said the event created an environment for communities to leave a long-lasting and positive legacy for the country’s children and future generations.
“We want this tournament to generate enthusiasm for sports amongst children, the future Bafana Bafana squad will hopefully emerge from our primary schools this year, from children who will be inspired by the soccer world cup,” he said adding that the tournament will ensure investment in the country’s football facilities.
Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya urged communities to go back to basics where, every person was responsible for every child in their community.
“We need to go back to basics, in that your child is my child and that it takes a whole village to raise a child,” she said.
Children from local day care centres handed over a copy of the Children’s Act to the President. It covers all aspects of child protection and development and makes it a crime to traffick children. – BuaNews
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