4/09/2010
worldcup2010southafrica.com rss feed
Dizzee Rascal is a confirmed performer for the Cool Britannia party at the V&A Waterfront on June 13th - the very same day Germany play Australia in Group D and Algeria play Slovenia in Group C.
We hadn't heard of the Cool Britannia parties before but Dizzee Rascal signing up is certainly going to increase the exposure of the event which runs for the duration of the World Cup in Cape Town. You can get more information here but Dizzee is the first to sign up judging by the line up page.
World Cup advice: Shop around to get the best deals
The South African Government last week denied claims that visitors to South Africa are being overcharged to book hotel rooms during the World Cup this year following accusations of "price-gouging". The denial was based on the results of a month-long study into the rates of nearly 2,500 properties during the tournament by Grant Thornton.
The survey showed that most World Cup accommodation prices had increased but by a reasonable amount and that in most cases the price increase was less than 50% and while it isn't nice, the feeling that you are being taken advantage of, can you really blame business in South Africa putting up prices, if there is the demand?
INTERPOL Major Events Support Team to be deployed for 2010 World Cup
The International Criminal Police Organisation or better known as INTERPOL will be sending the largest ever deployment of officers to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, to assist South Africa in making sure that the World Cup is as trouble free as possible.
INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald Noble said that there are no known terrorise threats to the World Cup but the decision was made at the sixth annual Heads of National Central Bureaus (NCBs) conference that South Africa’s National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele attended.
44,000 tickets made available by SAA at reduced prices for World Cup flights
South African Airways (SAA) announced this week that it had cancelled a contract to provide tickets to MATCH, the professional services company selected by FIFA to provide ticketing, accommodation and event information technology services to FIFA.
A spokesperson for SAA, Vimla Maistry, confirmed that the relationship between the two companies had broken down.
Homeless South Africans getting moved out of major cities ahead of 2010 World Cup
Over 1,000 homeless South Africans have been moved out of Johannesburg and Cape Town to hide the scale of poverty from World Cup fans travelling to South Africa ahead of the World Cup, it is claims.
More than 800 tramps, beggars and street children have already been removed from Johannesburg and sent to remote settlements hundreds of miles away and in Cape Town, up to 300 have been moved to Symphony Way Temporary Relocation Area where 1,450 families are crammed into a camp designed for just 650 people.
World Cup 2010: All stadiums are a go
A ten day trip across South Africa ended yesterday with the news coming from FIFA today that they have signed off on all the stadiums and "it is all systems go for 11 June 2010".
The tour began at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg on March 16th and it ended yesterday at Green Point stadium in the Mother City. The purpose of the inspection tour was for FIFA to mkae sure that all staidums would be ready and FIFA confirmed today that all parties are confident.
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4/08/2010
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4/07/2010
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4/04/2010
World Cup Debate: High Hopes And Faint Fears Welcome Sven-Goran Eriksson To Ivory Coast
The appointment of Swedish Sven-Goran Eriksson – a name Francophone Ivorians still stammer to pronounce right – comes to confirm the discreet rumours that have been animating the local press some days back.
With pain and regret still in some hearts over the failure to capture Guus Hiddink, many Ivorians may get comfort from the appointment of an alternative heavyweight coach.
The 62-year-old Eriksson, heavily robust with club and national team experience arduously collected across three decades, takes over a team many pundits say is sick with an undiagnosed ailment.
The Elephants of Ivory Coast should be a dream squad for any tactician to take, owing to their wealth of stars. It ought to be like giving a new, sharp chisel to a carpenter to work with. But what we have noticed so far is that successive coaches have been unable to carve out a reputation commensurate with the awesome line-up the team boasts of.
What’s wrong then? Sven-Goran Eriksson’s biggest task will be to answer that question, within the short time he will be sojourning in the Ivory Coast.
New to Africa, the former England and Mexico coach will have to adapt to the work climate where national coaches are sometimes subjected to pressures not only from the FA but the government. And also, to face fans who won't be able to comprehend when things don’t go right as soon as they want.
Placed in Group-G alongside Brazil, Portugal and North Korea, Ivory Coast may need a miracle to survive the group stage, and that miracle may descend from above via the new messiah that the west African nation has just acquired.
Well, the FA puts it clear to Eriksson: “Make us fare honourably at the World Cup. Even if we fail, it shouldn’t be a humiliating one.” No fan on the streets of Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s capital wants to hear that.
The people yearn to see the Didier Drogba-led squad pound on and pierce Brazil and Portugal and advance as far as they can. "No need paying Eriksson millions if he’ll be there only not to make us fail woefully".
But the former Goteborg, Benfica,
After diagnosing the Elephants' 'cancer', Eriksson will have to tackle the known gems such as lack of fighting spirit, weak defence, dispersing midfield and an attack already fully studied by a number of football teams.
Secondly, Eriksson will have to impose his charming personality to bring unity and cohesion to a divided Ivorian team. The pro-Drogbas and the pro-Yaya Toures ought to bow for the new coach and with hearts open, imbibe and execute his directives.
Eriksson’s success in Ivory Coast does not wholly depend on him, his destiny here partly lies in the hands of the FA, the players and the fans.
World Cup 2010: Soccer City To Officially Open With Nedbank Cup Final
The 2010 Nedbank Cup final will be the official opening match of the magnificent World Cup venue, Soccer City Stadium.
This was confirmed by Premier Soccer League CEO, Kjetil Siem, at the press conference launch and last 32 draw of the Nedbank Cup held in Sandton yesterday evening.
The Nedbank Cup is South Africa’s premier cup competition, and can be equated to the FA Cup in England or the Copa del Rey in Spain.
Last year’s final between Moroka Swallows and Pretoria University saw the re-opening of the historic
“The Nedbank Cup is the last competition we have to show the world that we can in fact successfully host the biggest sporting event in the world,” said Siem at the press conference.
“And there’s no better way to showcase our product to the world than by playing the Nedbank Cup in the same venue that will host the World Cup almost seven weeks later.”
The calabash shape and the 89,000 seats which will be available during the World Cup will allow the Johannesburg venue on the outskirts of Soweto to shine as a fine example of the newly built stadia throughout the country.
“I’m confident we will pull it off and mark the final countdown to the World Cup in spectacular fashion as well as being part of a special moment in the history of South Africa,” Siem concluded.
If you want more information on the World Cup 2010 soccer please do not hesitate to consult this
website : http://www.swc2010.com/ or http://goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010
4/02/2010
THIS IS THE MOMENT TO BUY YOUR TICKET FOR THE WORLD CUP 2010 IN SOUTH AFRICA
2010 World Cup Travel Packages
The Ultimate World Cup Host Country
The 2010 World Cup will not only be the largest sporting event in the world, but a showcase of the modern, rugged beauty of South Africa. Whether you want to be on hand to witness the opening of the 2010 World Cup or to cheer on your team as they advance through the tournament, we have World Cup packages available for all games throughout the tournament.South Africa will be abuzz with action as football fans from all corners of the world converge to celebrate and witness this historic event. Early tournament matches offer a great opportunity to get to know the personalities of the individual cities and stadiums, and as the playoffs and finals approach, the excitement builds.
Custom World Cup Package Highlights:
- Premium accommodations at some of South Africa's top rated hotels including the award winning Grace in Rosebank, The Saxon in Sandton, Johannesburg and The Cape Grace in Cape Town
- Exclusive access to South Africa's top safari lodges, excursions to world class sites like Victoria Falls
- A variety of day tours, private guide services and all ground logistics
On The Ground Staffing
Roadtrips will have on the ground staff in all our major World Cup soccer cities to assist our travelers with all their needs. It's one of the reasons why we're so successful and why our clients return to us again and again. With an event like the World Cup, we know the importance of helping our valued guests and their VIP business partners, families, and friends feel completely taken care of prior to and during their travel experience.Roadtrips Hospitality Center In Johannesburg
The Roadtrips Hospitality Center in Johannesburg will be the perfect place to take a break from all the action and access our on-the-ground staff. Enjoy complimentary beverages and snacks while watching television broadcasts of the action. Meet fellow travelers, visitors, as well as Roadtrips hospitality at our Johannesburg Hospitality Center.*Roadtrips is no way associated with FIFA, the Organizing Committee for the FIFA 2010 World Cup, South Africa 2010, MATCH Services or MATCH Hospitality. FIFA's official ticket site is www.fifa.com/tickets.
www.worldcup2010southafrica.com/
www.sa2010.gov.za/
www.soccerticketsonline.com/world-cup-tickets/
www.worldcuptickets.com
www.ussoccer.com/
www.ticketcity.com/soccer-tickets/world-cup-soccer-tickets.html
www.footballworldcupinfo.com/
3/31/2010
2010 hotel prices reasonable
The survey was commissioned by the government following allegations that accommodation providers were hiking prices excessively to take advantage of the expected massive influx of tourists for the World Cup.
'Supply and demand'
The survey found that half of all South African establishments would not be charging additional premiums. It also found that price premiums were a normal occurrence wherever big events were hosted worldwide, driven by the standard economic principles of supply and demand.Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Friday that he was satisfied that the majority of South Africa's accommodation establishments were "acting responsibly".
"I am also pleased to note that the survey found that many operators do recognise the damaging impact that exorbitant accommodation prices will have on the legacy objectives of the 2010 World Cup."
Higher premiums
In areas such as Gauteng province, the survey found, more establishments were charging higher premiums.The survey found that 65% of Gauteng's establishments were charging over 50% above the high season rate of the standard price for accommodation during the event. This was found to be in establishments closer to stadiums.
In North West province, 53% of the establishments were charging prices 50% over the high season rate, while 53% of Durban establishments were charging premiums higher than 50%, compared to 7% of establishments in the rest of KwaZulu-Natal.
Van Schalkwyk said his department would continue to discourage excessive premiums where these did occur, saying he had already consulted with the tourism industry in this regard.
Code of conduct
For its part, the industry has committed unequivocally to take further steps. A code of conduct for major events will be rolled out. In addition, the industry will encourage membership of its industry associations in order to extend their reach and influence more stakeholders."Given the fact that South Africa is a robust free market economy, fans are encouraged to shop around and avoid establishments with exorbitant pricing in line with our desire that South Africa continues to remain a value-for-money destination," Van Schalkwyk said.
The respondents to the survey were accommodation establishments in all nine provinces and included hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast establishments, lodges, camping and self-catering facilities. A total of 2 479 responses were analysed.
3/27/2010
World Cup 2010 Groups and Schedule
Date | Venue | Result | ||
11 June | Johannesburg | South Africa | - | Mexico |
11 June | Cape Town | Uruguay | - | France |
16 June | Pretoria | South Africa | - | Uruguay |
17 June | Polokwane | France | - | Mexico |
22 June | Rustenburg | Mexico | - | Uruguay |
22 June | Bloemfontein | France | - | South Africa |
Date | Venue | Result | ||
12 June | Johannesburg | Argentina | - | Nigeria |
12 June | Port Elizabeth | Korea Republic | - | Greece |
17 June | Bloemfontein | Greece | - | Nigeria |
17 June | Johannesburg | Argentina | - | Korea Republic |
22 June | Durban | Nigera | - | Korea republic |
22 June | Polokwane | Greece | - | Argentina |
Date | Venue | Result | ||
12 June | Rustenburg | England | - | United States |
13 June | Polokwane | Algeria | - | Slovenia |
18 June | Johannesburg | Slovenia | - | USA |
18 June | Cape Town | England | - | Algeria |
23 June | Port Elizabeth | Slovenia | - | England |
23 June | Pretoria | USA | - | Algeria |
Date | Venue | Result | ||
13 June | Johannesburg | Germany | - | Australia |
13 June | Pretoria | Serbia | - | Ghana |
18 June | Port Elizabeth | Germany | - | Serbia |
19 June | Rustenburg | Ghana | - | Australia |
23 June | Johannesburg | Ghana | - | Germany |
23 June | Nelspruit | Australia | - | Serbia |
Date | Venue | Result | ||
14 June | Johannesburg | Netherlands | - | Denmark |
14 June | Bloemfontein | Japan | - | Cameroon |
19 June | Durban | Netherlands | - | Japan |
19 June | Pretoria | Cameroon | - | Denmark |
24 June | Rustenburg | Denmark | - | Japan |
24 June | Cape Town | Cameroon | - | Netherlands |
Date | Venue | Result | ||
14 June | Cape Town | Italy | - | Paraguay |
15 June | Rustenburg | New Zealand | - | Slovakia |
20 June | Bloemfontein | Slovakia | - | Paraguay |
20 June | Nelspruit | Italy | - | New Zealand |
24 June | Johannesburg | Slovakia | - | Italy |
24 June | Polokwane | Paraguay | - | New Zealand |
Date | Venue | Result | ||
15 June | Port Elizabeth | Ivory Coast | - | Portugal |
15 June | Johannesburg | Brazil | - | Korea DPR |
20 June | Johannesburg | Brazil | - | Ivory Coast |
21 June | Cape Town | Portugal | - | Korea DPR |
25 June | Durban | Portugal | - | Brazil |
25 June | Nelspruit | Korea DPR | - | Ivory Coast |
Date | Venue | Result | ||
16 June | Nelspruit | Honduras | - | Chile |
16 June | Durban | Spain | - | Switzerland |
21 June | Port Elizabeth | Chile | - | Switzerland |
21 June | Johannesburg | Spain | - | Honduras |
25 June | Pretoria | Chile | - | Spain |
25 June | Bloemfontein | Switzerland | - | Honduras |
3/25/2010
EA SPORTS™ 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
Quelles sont les principales nouveautés de Coupe du Monde de la FIFA, Afrique du Sud 2010 ?
Le message clé, pour nous, est que nous continuons à affiner le gameplay et nous avons intégré plus d'une centaine de nouveautés par rapport à FIFA 10. Nous avons réglé quelques petits bugs, notamment celui des gardiens détalant de leur ligne de but et des attaquants les lobant trop facilement.
Nous nous sommes également surpassés au niveau des graphismes, cette édition est la plus belle que nous ayons jamais développée. Les effets de lumière ont été nettement améliorés et nous avons modifié les traits de certains des joueurs qui laissaient à désirer dans FIFA 10.
Notre objectif était de proposer une expérience vidéoludique plus étoffée.
Qu'est-ce que vous avez inclus en termes de jeu en ligne ?
La Coupe du Monde en ligne va être une fonctionnalité exceptionnelle. Vous pourrez participer aux matchs de poules et aux éliminatoires contre de vrais adversaires, et choisir l'une des 199 équipes qui ont participé aux qualifications pour la phase finale.
Cette fois-ci, nous avons mis l'accent sur le jeu à échelle réduite pour les modes en ligne. Pour commencer à vous faire une place aux classements en ligne de FIFA 10, vous devez patienter des jours et des mois. Chaque Coupe du Monde se composant d'un maximum de sept matchs, vous pouvez la boucler un soir et la reprendre à une date ultérieure. Et remporter la Coupe du Monde procure des sensations exceptionnelles.
À chaque match, vous êtes associé à un joueur se trouvant à la même étape de Coupe du Monde que vous, qu'il s'agisse du premier match de la phase de poules ou de la finale. Pour les phases de poules, nous prendrons en compte les résultats précédents de chaque joueur pour générer le classement. Il s'agit de la solution la plus efficace car vous pouvez prendre part à la compétition comme bon vous semble, que ce soit d'une traite ou en l'espace de quelques jours. En bref, vous serez toujours opposé à un joueur se trouvant à la même étape que vous et pourrez choisir l'une des 199 équipes disponibles.
Avez-vous collaboré étroitement avec la FIFA pour retranscrire aussi fidèlement que possible une compétition qui, lors du développement du jeu, n'aurait lieu que plusieurs mois plus tard ?
Au début du projet, nous avons élaboré une liste extrêmement fournie des ressources et des informations qu'il nous fallait ; au fur et à mesure du développement, la Fédération nous a fourni de quoi reproduire ce qu'ils entreprenaient et de créer un produit authentique, tant en termes de format que d'esthétique.
Des pays de moindre envergure se trouvent dans Coupe du Monde de la FIFA, Afrique du Sud 2010 : comment avez-vous effectué vos recherches et fait en sorte que ces équipes jouent au niveau qui est le leur ?
Nous disposons d'un réseau comprenant toutes les fédérations de football aux quatre coins du monde. Grâce à elles, nous avons bénéficié d'informations et de points de vue concernant certains des pays moins connus. Et puis évidemment, il y a l'apport de la FIFA. Si nous séchons sur l'identité du capitaine de l'équipe du Vanuatu, nous pourrons consulter sa liste des joueurs du Vanuatu.
Après avoir étudié la compétition d'aussi près, pensez-vous qu'une équipe surprise remportera la finale le 11 juillet ?
Non, je pense que ce sera encore l'un des favoris qui l'emportera, pas vous ?
Dernier point : avez-vous quelques fonctionnalités en réserve ?
En effet. Nous ferons encore deux annonces, alors attendez-vous à des fonctionnalités supplémentaires d'ici le début de la Coupe du Monde en Afrique du Sud !
3/24/2010
Port Elizabeth World Cup 2010 Stadium
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will have a capacity of 49,500 and will be a multi purpose facility launched at the World Cup in 2010.
Click here for the host city website.
Pretoria World Cup 2010 Stadiums
The main west stand of the Loftus Versfeld stadium was completely rebuilt in 1977, and the other three stands have been rebuilt since, creating an impressive arena, that rises steeply on all sides and incorporates some of the country's finest facilities for corporate hospitality.
Minimal upgrading will be required for the stadium to qualify as a venue for first and second round matches, but the floodlights, sound system and scoreboards will all be improved. The stadium has a capacity of 45,000 and this will probably rise to 50,000 for the World Cup.
Nelspruit World Cup 2010 Stadium
Construction of the new Mbombela Stadium on open land just eight kilometres north of Nelspruit will confirm the recently rising fortunes of this far north-eastern corner of South Africa.
The Mbombela Stadium has been designed to ensure it enjoys a prosperous life beyond the tournament as an adaptable, relevant multi-sport, entertainment and exhibition venue.
The stadium will be specifically constructed to ensure that it meets all FIFA Requirements and presents a compact and attractive venue for both first and second round matches with a capacity of just over 40,000.
Cape Town World Cup 2010 Stadium
Cape Town is building a new stadium for the 2010 World Cup in the suburb of Greenpoint, 500 metres from the Atlantic Ocean with Table Mountain as a backdrop.
Upon completion, the stadium should seat 70,000.
Bloemfontein World Cup 2010 Stadium
In advance of 2010, a second tier will be added to the main grandstand of the Free State Stadium on the western side of the ground, increasing the net capacity beyond the 40,000-mark required for venues to stage first and second round matches.
Additionally, new turnstiles will be erected, the floodlights will be upgraded, electronic scoreboards will be installed and the sound system will be revamped to the required standards.
Peter Mokaba stadium
The roof over the existing west stand of the Peter Mokaba Stadium will be removed and replaced by a roof that covers the entire western stand of the new Stadium.
An additional 20 rows of seating will be built around the entire stadium to increase capacity to 40,000.
In addition to the structural work, the Peter Mokaba stadium will be provided with first rate equipment, including an electronic scoreboard in the northern stand, new floodlights, a modern sound system and a fire detection and protection system.
Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace
Only minor renovations will be required to bring the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace into line with requirements for a stadium able to host first and second round matches at the 2010 World Cup. The stadium will have a capacity of just over 40,000.
For 2010, essentially cosmetic measures such as installation of new electronic scoreboards and upgrading of the floodlights and public address system will render the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace ready to welcome the football supporters of the world.
Durban World Cup 2010 Stadium
Durban will boast the new Moses Mabhida stadium, unveiled on June 15th 2006 at Durban's ICC by KwaZulu-Natal's Premier Sbu Ndebele and eThekwini Mayor Councillor Obed Mlaba.
The stadium will be built on the site of the existing King's Park stadium and has been designed as a first-class multi-purpose sporting facility with a seating capacity of 70,000.
The stadium is named after named after Moses Mabhida, a former General Secretary of the SACP.
Johannesburg World Cup 2010 Stadiums
hannesburg will have two stadiums in the World Cup 2010 and also boasts the opening match, one semi final and the final match of the tournament.
Soccer City is the jewel in South Africa's crown, built in 1987 and with a capacity of 94,700 (excluding Media and VIP's) it is sure to offer a great atmosphere for the lucky few that get tickets and hopefully as the stadium to be used for the first game, provide an excellent springboard for a magnificent tournament.
For 2010, the upper tier will be extended around the stadium, an encircling roof will be constructed, new changing room facilities will be developed and new floodlights will be installed.
World Cup 2010 opening ceremony
Shakira, John Legend, Angelique Kidjo, Alicia Keys and Black Eyed Peas will perform at a concert in South Africa that will officially open the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on June 10th.
The concert will take place in Johannesburg and will also feature musical performances by popular African artists and appearances by past and present football legends.
Proceeds from the concert will be used for 20 Centres for 2010, a charity campaign dedicated to building twenty Football for Hope Centres for public health, education and football across Africa.
Les Bleus
Vous avez toujours rêvé d'être sélectionneur de l'équipe de France... ou de choisir celui qui mériterait d'être aux commandes du navire tricolore durant la prochaine Coupe du monde (11 juin - 11 juillet) ? Votre heure est venue.
Qui doit jouer à gauche ? Qui aligner dans l'axe de la défense de l'équipe de France ? Plutôt 4-4-2 avec milieux excentrés ou 4-5-1 ? Ces questions vous hantent jour et nuit. Vous avez envie de faire connaitre votre opinion à vos amis ?
Cette application Facebook est faite pour vous. D'ici la divulgation de la liste finale des 23, vous allez pouvoir faire et refaire l'équipe de France à votre convenance. Et même, cerise sur le gâteau, décider du sélectionneur qui présidera aux destinées des Tricolores durant le prochain Mondial. Alors, Raymond Domenech, Arsène Wenger ou Eric Cantona ? Le destin de la nation est entre vos mains.
3/23/2010
La sécurité lors du Mondial 2010 en Afrique du Sud L’Afrique du Sud
La sécurité lors du Mondial 2010 en Afrique du Sud L’Afrique du Sud, qui a connu l’apartheid durant des années, est encore soumis à des difficultés sociales qui ont des répercutions sur la sécurité physique de ses citoyens. La sécurité de tous les visiteurs (officiels, joueurs, spectateurs) est la priorité du gouvernement qui ne peut donner une image négative de son pays.
A cette occasion, une réunion a eu lieu les 4 et 5 Mars 2010 à Zurich pour évoquer la préparation de la police sud Africaine en matière de sécurité et présenter son plan d’action à toutes les polices des pays concernés par la coupe du monde. Cette réunion a été un succès selon les organisateurs qui se veulent rassurant.
"Il ne fait aucun doute que la FIFA fait entièrement confiance à l’Afrique du Sud. Nous avons pu voir comme la Coupe des Confédérations a été bien organisée en 2009, et le monde entier doit à présent faire confiance à l’Afrique du Sud pour l’organisation de la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2010. La sécurité est une affaire gouvernementale et nous avons reçu les garanties nécessaires à cet égard, alors nous n’avons aucun doute à avoir. La Coupe du Monde de la FIFA est une source de joie et je suis convaincu que nous assisterons à un magnifique festival en Afrique du Sud", a déclaré le Président de la FIFA, Joseph S. Blatter.
Tous ces discours officiels contrastent avec des informations recueillis par les journaux locaux qui évoquent des difficultés réelles. Des tirs ont été effectués au Cap sur la ligne de bus nouvellement créée pour la coupe du monde. Cette ligne de bus remplace les nombreux taxis brousses qui permettaient à de nombreuses familles de vivre. Les conducteurs de ces taxis expriment leur désaccord en tirant à balle sur les bus.
Cette coupe du monde est l’occasion pour le peuple Sud Africain de se retrouver quelque soit son origine ethnique. Nous allons voir le résultat dans quelque mois mais il faut noter les efforts du gouvernement pour cacher la misère aux visiteurs. Les Townships (ghettos en Afrique du Sud) qui longent les autoroutes ont tous été cachés grâce à la construction d’un mur de plusieurs mètres de hauteur au lieu d’investir cet argent à la construction de logement décent pour les populations noirs et Colored.
Nous espérons que cette coupe du monde se passera sans aucuns soucis mais il est possible que des mouvements sociaux pour revendiquer une égalité entre les différentes ethnies se réveillent devant autant de faste alors que ceux-ci n’ont rien.
Will Leo Messi Delight or Disappoint at World Cup 2010
Obviously you don’t know the answer to that question. Obviously I don’t know the answer to that question. Not even little Leo Messi himself knows that answer to that question. But now still seems like the perfect time to ask it.
Leo Messi is on top of the world right now. Ten goals in his last four games. His form goes brace vs Almeria, hat-trick vs Valencia, brace vs Stuttgart in the Champions League, hat-trick vs Real Zaragoza. More importantly these haven’t just been any old goals. They’ve been the sort of goals that make defenders curse the day YouTube was ever invented. Even better, Messi’s showing us that anything Diego Maradona or Ronaldo can do, he can do too.
The World Cup is all about seeing the world’s best players on the world’s biggest and best stage, and in 2010 that means Leo Messi and South Africa. So let’s just say that we’re all very excited to see him in action this June. However…
… there’s no guarantee the little man will be waltzing through World Cup opposition defences for Argentina the same way he does for Barcelona. Mostly because his form for the two sides has been very very different. Maybe that’s Messi’s fault, maybe that’s Diego Maradona’s fault. Maybe it’s just one of those inexplicable things. But there’s a very real chance that Leo Messi could disappoint us in South Africa.
Seems unthinkable? Cast your mind back to 2006. Ronaldinho was in the sort of form for Barcelona that Messi is in now. Ronaldinho was the reigning World Player of the Year. Ronaldinho was expected to light up the World Cup in Germany. Ronaldinho didn’t, and we were all disappointed. If Messi fails to ignite in South Africa, then almost the entire World Cup audience will be let down. No pressure then Leo.
A broken dream
Broken dreams on world stage
The England midfielder’s misfortune, which spells another setback for his coach Fabio Capello, and will deny South African spectators the chance of seeing one of world football’s biggest names in June, is a familiar tale. Just as each world finals produces heroes, so it also gives us hard-luck stories of players cruelly denied an opportunity to shine on the greatest stage.
England fans, who have also seen Michael Owen’s faint prospects of claiming a place at South Africa 2010 scuppered by injury, are no strangers to nervously scanning medical bulletins in FIFA World Cup years. 2006 brought the saga of Wayne Rooney’s metatarsal, while in 2002 it was Beckham’s. Both were eventually passed fit to play though in 2002 coach Sven-Goran Eriksson did miss the injured Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville.
Whether they would have made a difference in that year’s quarter-final defeat by Brazil is doubtful. Indeed, their South American opponents had to shrug off an arguably greater loss en route to winning a fifth world crown.
Training fun turns sour
The Seleçao captain Emerson suffered a dislocated shoulder on the eve of their opening fixture against Turkey, after taking over in goal during a light-hearted training match. The mood turned sour, however, when the then Roma midfielder landed awkwardly, injuring his shoulder. The fall would rule him out for four weeks – in effect the entire tournament – though the deep regret will surely have lasted much longer.
Another player forced to sit out Korea/Japan 2002 was Spain’s Santiago Canizares who, unlike Emerson, really was a goalkeeper. His reflexes were evidently sharper in the penalty box than the bathroom, however, with the keeper cutting a tendon in his right foot with a shard of glass after dropping a bottle of aftershave at the team’s training base in Andalusia.
The longstanding deputy of Andoni Zubizarreta, Canizares had been preparing for his first taste of FIFA World Cup action but instead Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho had no option but to throw a 21-year-old Iker Casillas in at the deep end. As history records, the Real Madrid man seized his chance with both hands and has not looked back since.
Nor was that to be the last lamentable story ahead of the 2002 finals. China PR’s most capped footballer, Li Ming, missed his country’s first appearance on the big stage because of an injury sustained in the build-up.
Holders France, meanwhile, went into their doomed title defence without Robert Pires and Christian Karembeu, Pires’s absence being a particular blow given he had just earned the Footballer of the Year prize in England.
Ayala absence
Argentina, like France, made a surprise first-round exit from Korea/Japan and in their case were hindered by the loss of captain Roberto Ayala. The defender made the trip to Asia but was consigned to the bench for all three group games after picking up an injury in the warm-up for the opening fixture against Nigeria.
Ayala was not the first Albiceleste captain to suffer this fate, although the national team’s campaign had a notably happier ending on the previous instance. In 1986, Argentina’s totemic defender Daniel Passarella, who eight years earlier had captained his country to their first world title, was stricken with a virus that led to weight loss and lengthy period of repose.
Passarella chose to remain with the squad in Mexico and helped nominate the new captain – not a difficult task with the inspirational Diego Maradona to call on – and the rest is history as the South Americans captured their second world crown.
Yet Passarella’s misfortune was nothing compared to that of another Argentinian legend, Alfredo di Stefano, who failed to grace football’s flagship event despite representing three different counties. In 1950 his native Argentina refused to take part for political reasons, while in 1954 the ‘Blond Arrow’ was declared ineligible after being capped for a second country, Colombia. After subsequently taking Spanish citizenship, Di Stefano helped La Roja qualify for Chile 1962, only to be ruled out of the finals because of a muscle injury.
Fast forward to Korea/Japan 2002, where Germany finished runners-up despite missing defender Jens Nowotny and midfielder Sebastian Deisler. Nowotny, an ever-present in qualifying, was injured playing for Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League semi-final while playmaker Deisler broke his leg in a friendly against Austria that May.
Deisler suffers
Nowotny at least had the consolation of appearing at the finals on home soil four years later. By contrast fate continued to conspire against Deisler, who in March 2006 suffered a serious knee problem that denied him a place in Jurgen Klinsmann’s eventual bronze medal-winning squad.
France striker Djibril Cisse does not need telling that lightning can strike twice. 20 months after sustaining a serious fracture in his left leg when playing for Liverpool, he broke his other leg in his country's final warm-up match against China PR prior to their departure for Germany in May 2006. Cisse had already missed out on the UEFA EURO 2004 finals because of a suspension, leading to comparisons with former France forward Jose Toure, who was denied a place at the 1984 European and 1986 world showpieces by injury.
Of course, one man’s pain is another man’s gain and French football history offers an outstanding example of the silver lining. Before jetting off to Sweden in 1958, France lost leading forwards Thadee Cisowski and Rene Bliard, a double blow that opened the door to a certain Just Fontaine. Installed as the new first-choice striker for Les Bleus, he seized his opportunity in style, writing his name in the tournament record books with an unsurpassed 13 goals.
So while David Beckham joins the likes of Brazil’s Anderson and Portugal’s Bosingwa in revising his plans for June, there will be others dreaming anew of stepping out of the wings and taking centre stage in South Africa in less than three months’ time.
Theo Walcott now certain to be in England World Cup squad after David Beckham injury
All the focus this week has been on the injury to David Beckham which has ruled him out of the World Cup but doesn’t it seem a huge fuss has been made about nothing? He may be a hugely popular player but he was probably never going to play more than an hour in the entire tournament and it could actually be a blessing in disguise.
The Achilles tendon injury clearly isn’t expected to hamper England’s chances at the World Cup as the England World Cup Odds remain unchanged and England are still one of the favourites to win the World Cup. What is much more worrying than the Beckham injury is Aaron Lennon’s groin injury that has kept him out all year. He has looked the complete right winger this season, skinning opponents, setting up goals with great crosses and also chipping in with goals now.
The bookies make Aaron Lennon the odds on favourite to start for England on the right wing against USA and if he returns and proves his fitness then that looks about right. But what if Lennon’s niggling problem continues and he doesn’t make the place to South Africa?
The next players on the list appear to be Capello favourite James Milner, the inconsistent Theo Walcott and also Shaun Wright Phillips, who appears to have booked a spot on Capello’s plans from a decent twenty minutes off the bench against Egypt.
The Beckham injury could be good news for Joe Cole, who is still struggling for form since his injury problems but he remains a great talent and his World Cup 2010 hopes might not be dashed yet, he could still be the twenty third man that makes the squad, which will be announced on June 1st.
Whatever happens it seems England are not short of options on the right wing but they could end up short of top quality options and that can sometimes make the difference between winning and losing.
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