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World Cup Analysis

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

GROUP A France Mexico South Africa Uruguay FAVORITE Very few teams are playing better at the moment than Mexico. Recently beat Italy on neutral ground. SLEEPER Uruguay hasn’t done much since winning the World Cup in 1930 and 1950. Has the talent to make some noise. KEY GAME Uruguay vs. France, today: The winner will keep pace with Mexico, who draws South Africa first. BEST PLAYER French attacking midfielder Franck Ribery helped Bayern Munich win Bundesliga and German Cup titles and reach the Champions League final. THE SKINNY It’s rare to find a World Cup group where the host country is the worst team of the four, but that’s the case with South Africa this year. Mexico, buoyed by some young players, appears to have finally come into its own. France, a finalist in 2006, will be in a battle with Uruguay to advance, and Uruguay, with forwards Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, may have the edge. GROUP B Argentina Greece Nigeria South Korea FAVORITE The world’s former No. 1 team, Argentina, has one of the easier brackets. SLEEPER This year’s South Korea team isn’t as strong as the 2002 squad that made the semifinals but doesn’t need to be in this group. KEY GAME Nigeria vs. South Korea, June 22: Nigeria plays Argentina first and will need to make up points. BEST PLAYER Lionel Messi, Argentina The reigning World Player of the Year. THE SKINNY Unless coach Diego Maradona has a complete meltdown, Argentina should easily advance. After that, talent will have to carry the Argentines because Maradona will probably be outcoached in every game in the knockout stage. Nigeria and South Korea are not as strong as past World Cups, but they only have each other to worry about because Greece shouldn’t be a factor. England striker Wayne Rooney, tight head, wirePaul Ellis/AFP/Getty ImagesEngland’s Wayne Rooney GROUP C Algeria England Slovenia United States FAVORITE In Fabio Capello, England finally hired the right coach. SLEEPER Underrated Slovenia upset Russia in a playoff to get here. KEY GAME England vs. United States, Saturday: Loser will need to win two straight. BEST PLAYER English forward Wayne Rooney was the second-leading scorer in the English Premier League. THE SKINNY England and the U.S. are clearly the best teams, but they play first and that’s a problem. The loser will face two must-win situations to advance, and if the winner of the Algeria-Slovenia game decides to put 10 players behind the ball and play for two ties, that could be difficult. The best scenario for the U.S. — whether it wins, loses or ties against England — is for the Algeria-Slovenia game to end in a tie. GROUP D Australia Germany Ghana Serbia FAVORITE Germany has just too much pedigree for this group. SLEEPER Serbia has the best defense of the four teams. KEY GAME Serbia vs. Ghana, Sunday: The first game of the group sets the tone. BEST PLAYER For a defender, Germany’s Philipp Lahm attacks as well as he defends. THE SKINNY Germany, even with all its injuries, is the class of the group, but then it’s a toss-up between three teams for one place. Of the three, Serbia has the best defense, but Australia has the best goalkeeper in Mark Schwarzer. Ghana, without injured midfielder Michael Essien, its best player, will have the support of a continent, but may not be able to recover if it loses its opening game to Serbia. GROUP E Cameroon Denmark Japan Netherlands FAVORITE Have you looked at the talent on the Netherlands’ roster? Of course, isn’t that always the case? SLEEPER A consistent second-tier European team, Denmark could make a run into the second round. KEY GAME Denmark vs. Cameroon, June 19: Both teams will lose to the Netherlands and beat Japan, so this one could determine which country escapes the group. BEST PLAYER Goal scoring by Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) helped Inter Milan and FC Barcelona win the past two Champions League titles. THE SKINNY The Netherlands, despite recent injuries, should win the group while Japan, which has never won a World Cup game outside its own country, doesn’t figure to do much. That leaves Denmark and Cameroon. Eto’o has a chip on his shoulder following critical comments by Cameroon legend Roger Milla, but the Danes can’t be overlooked. GROUP F Italy New Zealand Paraguay Slovakia FAVORITE The defending champion Azzuri might be getting older, but Italy will still be kicking in South Africa. SLEEPER Slovakia will play lock-up defense and look to counterattack on offense. KEY GAME Paraguay vs. Slovakia, June 20: The second game for both. One may need to win, one may need just a tie. BEST PLAYER Gianluigi Buffon of Italy was the best goalie in 2006 World Cup. Not much has changed. THE SKINNY Italy, a notorious slow starter in major tournaments, has no excuses this time. This group couldn’t be easier for the defending champs. Paraguay, despite the loss of forward Salvador Cabanas, who was shot in the head (but survived) in Mexico Jan. 25, is the next-best team. Paraguay’s only problem is that it plays Italy first. Slovakia and New Zealand will have trouble scoring goals. Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, with broken arm, wireIssouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty ImagesStriker Didier Drogba is practicing with Ivory Coast, despite a broken right arm, and apparently will try to play in the World Cup. GROUP G Brazil Ivory Coast North Korea Portugal FAVORITE If Brazil, the world’s top-ranked team, isn’t the favorite, there should be an investigation. SLEEPER Even without star striker Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast will be tough to beat. KEY GAME Ivory Coast vs. Portugal, June 15: The loser will probably have to beat Brazil to advance beyond pool play. BEST PLAYER Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal was 2008 World Player of the Year. THE SKINNY This was the Group of Death, but the injury to Drogba (broken right arm) takes a lot of the juice away — and was the best news Portugal could have had. Five-time champion Brazil (first) and the unknown North Korea (last) seem certain of their place. The battle was always going to be Ivory Coast-Portugal, but Drogba’s injury gives Portugal a definite edge. GROUP H Chile Honduras Spain Switzerland FAVORITE Spain has only lost once in the past four years, albeit in the Confederations Cup last year in South Africa (to the United States). SLEEPER Chile finished second to Brazil in South American qualifying. KEY GAME Switzerland vs. Chile, June 21: Chile will be 1-0, Switzerland 0-1 when they play. BEST PLAYER Playmaker Xavi Hernandez of Spain can score goals just as easily as he sets them up. THE SKINNY Spain should roll into the knockout phase and could even rest some players along the way. Chile may be without leading scorer Humberto Suazo (hamstring) in its opener, but fortunately that’s against Honduras, so it shouldn’t matter. Switzerland, which played four games in 2006 and was eliminated without allowing a goal, has shown poor form lately but has the talent to advance. SECOND ROUND Mexico over Nigeria England over Serbia United States over Germany Argentina over Uruguay Netherlands over Paraguay Brazil over Chile Cameroon over Italy Spain over Portugal Chile and Paraguay are two of the sleepers of the tournament and could have advanced under other circumstances, but not against these opponents. CONCACAF gains the world’s respect. QUARTERFINALS Netherlands over Brazil England over Mexico Argentina over United States Spain over Cameroon CONCACAF’s great run is over, although the United States gives Argentina a tough game, possibly losing in overtime. SEMIFINALS Netherlands over England Spain over Argentina Netherlands finally exposes England’s back line and goalkeeper David James cannot stop the Dutch assault. Spain has too much talent for Argentina to overcome. FINAL Netherlands over Spain The Dutch finally lose the tag of the best team never to win a World Cup. ON TV FIRST ROUND Today South Africa vs. Mexico, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Uruguay vs. France, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Tomorrow South Korea vs. Greece, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN) Argentina vs. Nigeria, 10 a.m. (ESPN) England vs. United States, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7) Sunday Algeria vs. Slovenia, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN) Serbia vs. Ghana, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Germany vs. Australia, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7) Monday Netherlands vs. Denmark, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN) Japan vs. Cameroon, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Italy vs. Paraguay, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Tuesday New Zealand vs. Slovakia, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN) Ivory Coast vs. Portugal, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Brazil vs. North Korea, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday Honduras vs. Chile, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN) Spain vs. Switzerland, 10 a.m. (ESPN) South Africa vs. Uruguay, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday Argentina vs. South Korea, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN) Nigeria vs. Greece, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Mexico vs. France, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2) June 18 Germany vs. Serbia, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN) United States vs. Slovenia, 10 a.m. (ESPN) England vs. Algeria, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2) June 19 Netherlands vs. Japan, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN) Australia vs. Ghana, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Denmark vs. Cameroon, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7) June 20 Paraguay vs. Slovakia, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN) Italy vs. New Zealand, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Brazil vs. Ivory Coast, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7) June 21 North Korea vs. Portugal, 7:30 a.m. (ESPN) Switzerland vs. Chile, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Spain vs. Honduras, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) June 22 Mexico vs. Uruguay, 10 a.m. (ESPN) France vs. South Africa, 10 a.m. (ESPN2) Nigeria vs. South Korea, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2) Greece vs. Argentina, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) June 23 United States vs. Algeria, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Slovenia vs. England, 10 a.m. (ESPN2) Ghana vs. Germany, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Australia vs. Serbia, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2) June 24 Slovakia vs. Italy, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Paraguay vs. New Zealand, 10 a.m. (ESPN2) Denmark vs. Japan, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Cameroon vs. Netherlands, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2) June 25 Portugal vs. Brazil, 10 a.m. (ESPN) North Korea vs. Ivory Coast, 10 a.m. (ESPN2) Chile vs. Spain, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Switzerland vs. Honduras, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2) SECOND ROUND June 26 Match 49: Group A winner vs. Group B second place, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Match 50: Group C winner vs. Group D second place, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7) June 27 Match 51: Group D winner vs. Group C second place, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Match 52: Group B winner vs. Group A second place, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7) June 28 Match 53: Group E winner vs. Group F second place, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Match 54: Group G winner vs. Group H second place, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) June 29 Match 55: Group F winner vs. Group E second place, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Match 56: Group H winner vs. Group G second place, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) QUARTERFINALS July 2 Match 57: Match 53 winner vs. Match 54 winner, 10 a.m. (ESPN) Match 58: Match 49 winner vs. Match 50 winner, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) July 3 Match 59: Match 52 winner vs. Match 51 winner, 10 a.m. (Ch. 7) Match 60: Match 55 winner vs. Match 56 winner, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7) SEMIFINALS July 6 Match 58 winner vs. Match 57 winner, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) July 7 Match 59 winner vs. Match 60 winner, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) THIRD PLACE July 10 Semifinal losers, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7) FINAL July 11 Semifinal winners, 2:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)

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World Cup Analysis

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Bafana final squad probables

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Parreira adds punch The team that finished Thursday’s friendly against Colombia, rather than the one that started it, looks close to Bafana Bafana’s starting line-up for the opening match of the World Cup against Mexico PASSIONATE: Carlos Alberto Parreira expresses himself during the friendly against Colombia Picture: REUTERS Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is at last showing his hand, with the list of those making the final cut becoming clearer. Unlike predecessor Joel Santana, Parreira has taken a more positive approach and in the second half made two important changes in midfield by introducing Steven Pienaar in the place of Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Kagisho Dikgacoi for the young Thanduyise Khuboni in the holding position. Santana preferred two holding midfielders while Parreira has opted for only one, pushing another player into attack. Judging by the coach’s body language, experimenting in midfield is now over and the two positions have been permanently taken. Khuboni has done extremely well and he is a definite starter for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It would be self-defeating to expose him at this high level – as happened to Papi Zothwane, who was destroyed by the Zambians in Cape Town three years ago and hasn’t been the same player since. Khuboni, the young Golden Arrows midfielder, was given no room to manoeuvre by the quick and physical Colombians on Thursday. Dikgacoi came on and stabilised matters and he and veteran midfielder MacBeth Sibaya will slug it out for this dirty-work position. Letsholonyane and Lance Davids have been given ample opportunities to stake a claim in the engine room. Davids has dropped down the pecking order and will be lucky to be part of the final squad. Parreira finally revealed how he plans to use Pienaar in his team. He will keep Teko Modise and Siphiwe Tshabalala on the wings, with the Everton man penetrating from the middle. While he seems to have sorted out his midfield, the central defensive pairing continues to give the Brazilian sleepless nights. He has partnered Siyabonga Sangweni and Bongani Khumalo with captain Aaron Mokoena, but the defence is still as shaky as the Congress of the People’s leadership. Parreira must install the highly experienced Matthew Booth as Mokoena’s partner in the heart of the defence. This duo go back more than a decade and they also had a fantastic Confederations Cup tournament last year. While Sangweni and Khumalo are good players, they are too raw for an event of this magnitude and the lanky Booth is a veteran of major tournaments. The fullbacks do not provide much of a headache. Tsepo Masilela and Siboniso Gaxa are the automatic choices, with Bryce Moon and hard man Lucas Thwala providing back-up. Innocent Mdledle and Anele Ngcongca are likely to get the chop when the final list is sent to Fifa on Tuesday. There is a big poser in the goal-scoring department. With Katlego Mphela having proven the No1 shooter, there are question marks around who will play as the holding back striker in Parreira’s preferred 4-4-1-1 formation. Does he stick with Surprise Moriri, or does he bring in Benni McCarthy, who is on a major assignment to shed weight? Siyabonga Nomvethe has been working hard and is eager and willing whenever he gets a chance. Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Joseph played a blinder in the second half against Colombia, but knows Itumeleng Khune is far ahead of him in the race for the starting berth. Rowen Fernandez’s miraculous recovery has closed the doors for Shu-aib Walters, who sneaked in via the back door after Emille Baron’s lengthy injury. Franklin Cale has found the going a little tough and Bernard Parker seems to have taken the place of the hulking Mamelodi Sundowns left winger. Cale is your traditional old school winger who is at home whipping in dangerous crosses. He has struggled to fit into Parreira’s system of cutting inside and playing one-twos. Probable 23 Man Squad Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Moeneeb Josephs and Rowen Fernandez. Defenders: Matthew Booth, Aaron Mokoena, Siyabonga Sangweni, Bryce Moon, Siboniso Gaxa, Bongani Khumalo and Tshepo Masilela. Midfielders: Lucas Thwala, Macbeth Sibaya, Steven Pienaar, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Thanduyise Khuboni, Teko Modise, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Surprise Moriri Strikers: Katlego Mphela, Siyabonga Nomvethe, Bernard Parker and Benedict McCarthy. Source – Times.co.za 2010 World Cup Blog for the Fans

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Bafana final squad probables

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Bafana vs Guatemala in Polokwane today

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Bafana Bafana vs Guatemala Our : Post #200 Bafana Bafana vs Guatemala – this is the penultimate in international friendly in the South African National team’s 2010 World Cup build-up campaign. Kickoff is tonight at 8.30 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. South Africa have looked solid in the past week, drawing 1-1 against Bulgaria on Monday before beating Colombia 2-1 on Thursday. Bafana Captain, Aaron Mokoena Bafana captain and Portsmouth midfielder, Aaron Mokeona will reach a milestone no other South African footballer has reached when he runs on the filed with his team tonight to face Central American minnows Guatemala – Mokoena will earn his 100th cap . Mokoena stresses that the players must not take their foot off the pedal against Guatemala in Polokwane. “They have come here to test us. We cannot underestimate them as we have only 10 days left and only one more friendly (against Denmark on the 5th) to tune up for the World Cup,” Mokoena said. “We cannot afford to waste these vital warm-up matches and believe me, we are taking Guatemala as serious as we would the other countries we played last week such as Bulgaria and Colombia.” Guatemala Team Guatemala’s players’ mental focus on the match could be uncertain after the country experienced a terrible natural disaster the past few days. They could turn up the heat and make it sticky for the hosts. In the World Cup Qualifiers to Germany 2006, they went all the way to the last round, where they beat Surinam 4:2 in the second round, and then finished in second place behind Costa Rica in group B, while the other two teams were Honduras and Canada. In the third round they had wins against Canada, Costa Rica and then tied against Honduras and then lost to Costa Rica and then won 1:0 to Honduras, which was when they sealed their pass to the last round and last lost to Canada. In the last round, they finished in 5th place, they needed a Mexico win or tie against Trinidad and Tobago to advance to the FIFA World Cup. They tried to qualify for South Africa 2010, but due to bad results both at home and away, they failed to reach a World Cup again. One of the most talented players in Guatemala history is Carlos Ruiz, who plays for Puebla in Mexico. Final Cut to Bafana Squad Bafana Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is probably going to give as many players as he can a run to take a last look at them before he makes up his mind for the final 23-man squad that he will announce tomorrow. According to football. 365 Bafana Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has revealed he is not looking forward to making the final cull to his squad before the World Cup. He will announce the 23-man Bafana Bafana Squad tomorrow on June 1. The Bafana Bafana boss must cut six players from his provisional 30-man line-up, with Andile Jali already ruled out of the showpiece through a heart condition. Source – vuvuzelasouthafrica.co.za 2010 World Cup Blog for the Fans

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Bafana Beat Guatemala 5-0 in friendly match

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

It was a night of records in Polokwane on Monday as Bafana Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena celebrated winning his 100th international cap by leading his side to a record 5-0 win over Guatemala in a World Cup warm-up. The result will be a huge confidence boost for the team as goals from Katlego Mphela (two penalties), Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Surprise Moriri and Bernard Parker stunned the Central Americans. Bafana were awarded a terrible penalty decision by referee Ibrahim Chaibou from Niger, who adjudged Siphiwe Tshabalala’s long-range effort to have struck Guatemalan defender Gustavo Cabrera on the arm. Whether it did or not is up for debate, but what’s not is that the incident happened a yard outside the area, and at the very most should have been a free kick. Mphela did not waste the gift and notched his 13th goal in Bafana colours, snatching the ball out of the hands of Teko Modise and converting from the spot. Mphela and Gonzalo Romero traded ambitious long-range free kicks, before Letsholonyane scored his maiden international goal. Brilliant work from Lucas Thwala down the left saw him reach the byline and his chip into the box fell perfectly for Letsholonyane , who volleyed into an empty net with visiting goalkeeper David Guerra out of position. Tshabalala shot wide from just outside the area, while Mphela dallied on a shot and saw his effort deflected wide. If he had pulled the trigger quicker, he might have scored. Bafana did extend their lead three minutes into the second half when substitute Moriri picked up the loose ball just outside the six-yard box from Mphela’s driving run and cross and tapped home with the Guatemalan defence at sixes and sevens. The referee decided to level the score on a the poor penalty award count when he awarded the visitors a soft spot-kick after adjudging Thwala to have hand-balled, when the ball looked to have struck his chest. But Moeneeb Josephs saved Guillermo Ramirez’s poor effort and the score remained 3-0 to the home side. Steven Pienaar should have got a spot-kick minutes later when he was clattered in the area, but strangely this time the referee said no, but shortly afterwards he again pinned Cabrera for hand-ball in the box from Kagisho Dikgacoi’s shot. This award looked correct and Mphela coolly slotted home from the spot and Bafana matched their best-ever result in international football. Pienaar’s brilliant free-kick from 35-yards with 20 minutes left slammed against the post with Guatemalan substitute goalkeeper David Guerra beaten, denying him a spectacular goal. But that spectacular goal came from Parker , who picked up the ball on the sideline, beat two defenders and hot a shot from 25-yards across the goalkeeper and into the top corner. Source- Goal.com 2010 World Cup Blog for the Fans

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Bafana Beat Guatemala 5-0 in friendly match

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Parreira to make announcement today

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Parreira Squad Announcement South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira makes planned World Cup squad announcement after a last-minute friendly against Guatemala was arranged for the South African team. He will now make the announcement on Today at 9:00, cutting a current 28-man squad by five. It is the penultimate World Cup warm-up match for the hosts, who have gone 10 games unbeaten since Parreira returned as coach last November. South Africa will play Denmark in their last World Cup warm-up in Pretoria on Saturday. Who will it be. Source -MTN Football.com Starting line up for the Guatemala match , Polokwane, 31 May 2010 2010 World Cup Blog for the Fans

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Parreira to make announcement today

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Final 2010 World Cup Bafana 23 Men Squad

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Benni, Moon miss out Earlier this morning that the West Ham United striker Benni has been omitted, along with right-back Bryce Moon. Another surprise casualty is goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez , while Franklin Cale and Innocent Mdledle also miss out. Parreira confirmed the news at a press conference this morning. Reaction will follow. Final Bafana Bafana squad : Goalkeepers : Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United) Defenders : Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates) Midfielders : Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala (both Kaizer Chiefs), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia) Strikers : Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Netherlands) 2010 World Cup Blog for the Fans

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Final 2010 World Cup Bafana 23 Men Squad

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Benni not surprised by selection

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Benni disappointed but not surprised All-time leading Bafana Bafana goalscorer Benni McCarthy expressed disappointment after missing the cut for the final 23-man Fifa World Cup™ squad announced on Tuesday, but added he was not surprised. The West Ham United striker, who has has represented his country on 79 occasions with 32 goals to his credit, was one of the five local players who failed to survive Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira’s final snip for the world football showpiece starting in just under 10 days. Following the squad announcement, McCarthy’s management team was quick to release a statement saying that though he is disappointed, he understands the pragmatic reasoning behind the decision. McCarthy was recalled to national duty despite lingering concerns over his fitness and Parreira had hoped the player would improve given his international experience and goal-scoring prowess. Ultimately is was down to the cold, hard realisation that the player could not meet the standards required in the five key selection principles — physical condition, technical ability, tactical ability, discipline and team dynamics. To this end, McCarthy admitted there was very little the national selectors could do but leave him out. “My fitness level came into question after weeks recovering from my knee injury, but the coach still believed in me, as did I and the rest of the team, and I am grateful for that,” said McCarthy. Together with the technical team McCarthy worked hard on his physical fitness, but unfortunately time became his nemesis. “No one’s place in the final squad is a given,” said McCarthy. “We all gave it our best and pushed ourselves to our limits to make the cut. In the end it comes down to a head count. I am proud to have been given the privilege to have been capped in the South African national squad, but unfortunately this time it was not to be.” McCarthy, a Uefa Champions League winner with FC Porto, had some words of consolation for the other four who missed out. “All the players who made the national call-up should be proud. We did not fail we just didn’t make the final 23; we are still a part of the team if not the squad. “We have a strong team everyone will be proud of and I am in no doubt we will make our mark with the ground swell of support the team has been receiving of late. If the carnival spirit of the Super 14 semifinal and final is a measure of the united support we are to expect for Bafana, then I see us excelling. My role now is to join in that support,” he said. Source – Supersport.com 2010 World Cup Blog for the Fans

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Benni not surprised by selection

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Bafana & Denmark Friendly match overview

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

With the clock ticking down towards June 11 and the showdown against Mexico at Soccer City looming closer, Bafana Bafana now have the team to compete at the World Cup finals. That is the assessment of head coach Carlos Albert Parreria after his side had scored a record 5-0 win over minnows Guatemala in a one sided warm-up friendly played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on a cold Monday night. “It does not matter whether the opposition is not so strong. It is never easy to score five goals and that is something we have never done before,” said Parreira. “Technically we were not so good but we created chances and killed off the opposition. I could not have asked for more in that respect.” Parreria added Bafana, with one friendly left to play against Denmark on Saturday, are ready for the World Cup, which kicks off at the new Soccer City on June 11 when the hosts tackle Mexico in the opening Group A match. “We have a team. We have a shape and most importantly, we have an identity as South Africans. We now play the ball on the ground and keep possession. “We go into the World Cup with confidence and the spirits high. Our fitness level and physical condition will be as good – if not better -than any side in the World Cup.” Parreira will fine tune his side against Denmark at Atterdigeville’s Super Stadium on Saturday (2.15pm). Parreria said he was satisfied with the four matches Bafana have played in the last two weeks as he intensified his preparation programme. Bafana thumped Thailand 4-0 in the first match at Nelspruit on May 16, followed that up with a 1-1 draw at Orlando Stadium with Bulgaria and then defeated Colombia at Soccer City last Thursday before clobbering Guatemala. Since taking charge of the ailing Bafana last November, Bafana are unbeaten in 11 matches. Parreira has weaved his magic in seven months in charge and while he is right about the 5-0 win not being Bafana’s best performance, he assessed the friendly matches saying: “Our 1-1 draw against Bulgaria was our best display so far. “The 2-1 win over Colombia the toughest and this one (Guatemala) the biggest. We have improved throughout the campaign, especially the players who have been with me on both the camps to Brazil (in March) and Germany (in April).” Parreria will name his final squad of 23 players for the tournament on Tuesday morning as per Fifa rules. At present Parreira has 28 players in his squad. Parreria caused a lot of speculation by not playing controversial striker Benni McCarthy during Monday’s match, preferring to use Bernard Parker and veteran Siyabonga Nomvethe, as his second half substitutes. Parreria would not be drawn on whether McCarthy (32) will be part of his World Cup plans: “There was nothing wrong with McCarthy. I say nothing more until I announce the squad.” However, with only four strikers in his squad, Parreira is unlikely to send the West Ham United striker home, despite the fact he has been battling with a weight problem since he joined the camp earlier this month and has played only 20 minutes against Colombia. Parreria also said his star midfielder Steven Pienaar, who had a storming match against the Guatemalans, and the other overseas based players, will have to adapt. “I have played Pienaar in a couple of positions in the midfield to see where he is best suited to Bafana. The reason we have a shape and foundation is because I did not chop and change the players for every match and that shape stays for the World Cup.” It was a special night for Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena (29) who became the first Bafana player to reach 100 caps. Said the Portsmouth defender: “This was a big night for me. “It was a great honour being the first South African to win 100 caps and it means a lot to me.” He dedicated his 100 caps to his mother and Jomo Sono, the Cosmos coach, who spotted his talent as a raw 17-year-old. Mokoena also said Bafana were raring to go. He said the big difference with the new-look team is the attitude of the players. “The positive attitude of the players is fantastic and we are now making it easy for ourselves by scorning goals.” Striker Katlego Mphela scored two penalties but otherwise did not have a great night and his indifferent form is another reason for Parreria to keep McCarthy in the squad. The other goals came from Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Surprise Moriri and Parker. Source – Sapa Bafana Intentional Friendlies Bafana 2 – 0 Jamaica 28 Apr 10 Bafana 4 – 0 Thailand 16 May 10 Bafana 1 – 1 Bulgaria 24 May 10 Bafana 2 – 1 Colombia 27 May 10 Bafana 5 – 0 Guatemala 31 May 10 Denmark Intentional Friendlies Australia – Denmark 1 – 0 01Jun 10 Denmark – Senegal 2 – 0 27 May 10 Austria – Denmark 2 – 1 03 March 10 2010 World Cup Blog for the Fans

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Bafana & Denmark Friendly match overview

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Gautrain licenced to operate from ORT Airport to Sandton

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Gautrain receives licence to operate The high speed Gautrain was issued with a safety permit allowing it to legally operate between Sandton and the OR Tambo International Airport. “Viva Gautrain viva. Above all, viva public transport viva,” Transport Deputy Minister Jeremy Cronin said in handing over the certificate to the Bombela operating company. He hoped that the Gautrain would change the mindset that public transport was only for the poor and that it would encourage people to choose rail instead of road transport. Receiving the certificate, Bombela operating company chief executive officer Alain Esteve said the handover followed a long period of planning, design and preparation. The start of Gautrain’s official operations marked the beginning of a new era in the company’s existence. “It is a symbol of [the company’s] new commitment to put the safety of our customers and staff as our number one priority,” he said. Source- Sapa 2010 World Cup Blog for the Fans

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Gautrain licenced to operate from ORT Airport to Sandton

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Fifa Fan Fest Spot – Durban

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Durban is South Africa’s year-round sun, sea and sand destination. This is one city where a mid-winter celebration can still take place on the beach. In 2010, FIFA World Cup™ spectators can expect the city’s biggest beach party yet at the FIFA Fan Fest New Beach is the location for the 2010 FIFA Fan Fest™ in Durban , a sandy stretch on the city’s prestigious Golden Mile, close to beachfront hotels and a short distance away from the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the city’s brand new official 2010 FIFA World Cup™ venue, which will host 7 matches including a semi-final. Some 25 000 people will congregate at this central beachfront fan park, which will be fenced off and secured through the combined services of the South African Police Services and Durban’s Metro Police force. The beachfront is currently undergoing extensive remodelling with repaving of the promenade, development of beachside facilities, road upgrades and landscaping. The Durban FIFA Fan Fest™ promises live screenings of all the tournament’s 64 matches, watched on mega-screens against a backdrop of the waves of the Indian Ocean. In between matches, there’ll be food and drink stalls and live entertainment – the city promises a rock concert atmosphere. Thi s Durban FIFA fan park has the advantage of being in close proximity to a string of restaurants and pubs along the beachfront promenade. The city is at a crossroad of cuisines – traditional African fare in this Zulu heartland mingles with pungent Oriental spices contributed by a sizeable Indian population, and then fuses yet further with European influences. In addition to the official Durban FIFA Fan Fest™ location, there will be 2 additional public viewing facilities, in the KwaMashu and Umhlazi neighbourhoods. The first venue can accommodate 15 000 spectators and the second some 10 000. All venues offer free entrance. Source – www.southafrica.net 2010 World Cup Blog for the Fans

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Fifa Fan Fest Spot – Durban

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