Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Brasil Beat North Korea 2-0: See Brasil in the Finals Maybe Against Germany or Argentina
The first win by Brasil. Now, let us see what the group of death will give us. Brasil will play Portugal and Cote D'Ivoire or Ivory Coast. These are tough games. Both Portugal and Ivory Coast will want to win, which will force both teams to make mistakes that Brasil can exploit. Who will die and stay in the cup? We do not know.
VuVuZeLas: South African Staples to Stay in Soccer Per FiFA
At any soccer stadium, it's normal that you can barely have a conversation at any time of the a game. It is always extra loud. Shouting, screaming, drumming, dancing, arguing, chanting, music, trumpeting are always mixed and produce lots of noise. At an American football game, we have tailgating. England has the infamous hooligans. Shouting invectives at players is not the same as the vuvuzelas in most European games. Except for the hooligans and racial epithets, all of that has never been too much of a hassle. Now some people want to ban the South African, typically cultural instrument from stadiums because of its noise effects. Nobody wants to ban the Japanese drumming or the Brazilian flag waving and hip swinging or backside shaking.
The vuvuzela is now an international instrument. People buy and stuff them in their suitcases and take them home. The vuvuzela will spread beyond South Africa's borders. It now has a new stage, the world of public opinion.
The vuvuzela is now an international instrument. People buy and stuff them in their suitcases and take them home. The vuvuzela will spread beyond South Africa's borders. It now has a new stage, the world of public opinion.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Argentina Takes the Lead Over Nigeria: Arg. 1 vs. Nigeria 0; Argentina Won
Coach Diego Maradona won his first game against Nigeria. Argentina 1, Nigeria 0
So far, a great game is being played. The two teams are trying to outmaneuver each other. From a header, the Argentines are leading the Nigerians in the first half. So far, the Nigerian team is doing a good job containing the fire power of the Argentines. Coach Maradona is very excited about the game thus far.
So far, a great game is being played. The two teams are trying to outmaneuver each other. From a header, the Argentines are leading the Nigerians in the first half. So far, the Nigerian team is doing a good job containing the fire power of the Argentines. Coach Maradona is very excited about the game thus far.
Diego Maradona Likes Ivory Coast and Portugal Teams, Not Afraid of Brasil
The 49-year-old, who lifted the World Cup as Argentina captain in 1986, having infamously scored a goal with his hand against England in the quarter-finals, said he hoped the referees would ensure the Africans play fair.
"We know how Nigeria play and they know how we play. We don't expect to play a rough and tough team, although we're ready to play any team," said Maradona, whose international career ended in disgrace when he failed a drugs test at the 1994 World Cup finals when Nigeria were also in their group.
"But the only thing I can say right now is those looking for fair-play should not stand alone.
"Let's really look for fair play and referees should understand what fair play is.
"When fair play started in 1990 I got a kick from a Cameroon player who nearly kicked my head off.
"Claudio Caniggia got a yellow card for a small kick and I nearly got kicked in the head.
"We've been through that but we want good football, we want fair play, we want to enjoy the match.
"If you don't want to play clean football, go into the stands. People want to see football and we want people to watch football peacefully without violence."
Although he may be worried about Nigeria's physical presence, he did have a word of warning for the Super Eagles' Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, who only took over on a five-month deal in February.
"I don't think it's a good thing to change a coach on such short notice but perhaps he can introduce some good elements, such as set-pieces," said Maradona.
"But it all depends on the players and he'll have to plan his matches according to the players he has.
"But in football you need continuity and I wish him all the best but he has very little time to work on many things he should be doing as a coach."
The controversial Maradona - who had people calling for his head as Argentina struggled to qualify and his selection policy became more and more erratic - admitted that his players are nervous ahead of their World Cup opener.
"We have many players who are tense, there's a particular tension that builds up when you come to the World Cup and they know perfectly well that many (other) players could have qualified (instead of them) for this competition," he said before adding that he himself is calm.
"I was much more nervous when I was a player. I was telling Javier Mascherano yesterday that I had sweaty palms.
"I live just as intensely today but I'm not as nervous because I firmly believe in these 23 players I have. I'm going to live or die with these 23.
"I know what people back home are expecting and feeling and I just love to see them that way and tomorrow I believe we'll start building a dream.
"Many of us cherish this dream and it's not come true for quite some time."
Argentina will begin as favourites against Nigeria but they haven't forgotten what happened in their opening match in Italy in 1990 when a Francois Omam-Biyik goal gave Cameroon a shock victory.
And Maradona believes that even if they were to suffer a similar fate this time, his team would be able to recover.
"We know how Nigeria play and they know how we play. We don't expect to play a rough and tough team, although we're ready to play any team," said Maradona, whose international career ended in disgrace when he failed a drugs test at the 1994 World Cup finals when Nigeria were also in their group.
"But the only thing I can say right now is those looking for fair-play should not stand alone.
"Let's really look for fair play and referees should understand what fair play is.
"When fair play started in 1990 I got a kick from a Cameroon player who nearly kicked my head off.
"Claudio Caniggia got a yellow card for a small kick and I nearly got kicked in the head.
"We've been through that but we want good football, we want fair play, we want to enjoy the match.
"If you don't want to play clean football, go into the stands. People want to see football and we want people to watch football peacefully without violence."
Although he may be worried about Nigeria's physical presence, he did have a word of warning for the Super Eagles' Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, who only took over on a five-month deal in February.
"I don't think it's a good thing to change a coach on such short notice but perhaps he can introduce some good elements, such as set-pieces," said Maradona.
"But it all depends on the players and he'll have to plan his matches according to the players he has.
"But in football you need continuity and I wish him all the best but he has very little time to work on many things he should be doing as a coach."
The controversial Maradona - who had people calling for his head as Argentina struggled to qualify and his selection policy became more and more erratic - admitted that his players are nervous ahead of their World Cup opener.
"We have many players who are tense, there's a particular tension that builds up when you come to the World Cup and they know perfectly well that many (other) players could have qualified (instead of them) for this competition," he said before adding that he himself is calm.
"I was much more nervous when I was a player. I was telling Javier Mascherano yesterday that I had sweaty palms.
"I live just as intensely today but I'm not as nervous because I firmly believe in these 23 players I have. I'm going to live or die with these 23.
"I know what people back home are expecting and feeling and I just love to see them that way and tomorrow I believe we'll start building a dream.
"Many of us cherish this dream and it's not come true for quite some time."
Argentina will begin as favourites against Nigeria but they haven't forgotten what happened in their opening match in Italy in 1990 when a Francois Omam-Biyik goal gave Cameroon a shock victory.
And Maradona believes that even if they were to suffer a similar fate this time, his team would be able to recover.
Coach Diego Maradona Goes Against Brazilian Phenom Pele, Criticises Him for Lack of Faith in South Africa
Diego Maradona, it is time to shut up and put up! Diego is enjoying his stay with his team in South Africa. He said that he can not understand why Pele did not believe in South Africa as the country that can organize the world cup. Coach Maradona said that his team has a nice stadium to train in Pretoria, the capital. He eats and rests well.
Diego stated that Pele thought that South Africa would not be ready for the World Cup. He addressed Pele not by his name but by his 'coloured player..." Diego must have just had some buzz when he made this statement. It looks like he is still hiding behind the color thing.
Well, Pele and the rest of the Brazilian fans are watching what Diego's team, full of super stars, is going to do today against an unfavorable openent that plays a tough and rough game.
Why did Diego have to start complaining about the toughness and roughness of the Nigerian players?
Diego stated that Pele thought that South Africa would not be ready for the World Cup. He addressed Pele not by his name but by his 'coloured player..." Diego must have just had some buzz when he made this statement. It looks like he is still hiding behind the color thing.
Well, Pele and the rest of the Brazilian fans are watching what Diego's team, full of super stars, is going to do today against an unfavorable openent that plays a tough and rough game.
Why did Diego have to start complaining about the toughness and roughness of the Nigerian players?
South African Goal Keeper Complains That the Vuvuzelas Were Not Loud Enough, Needs Their Support
The goal keeper of the Bafana Bafana complained about the lack of noise that could defeat his opponents. In the opening game of the team, the keeper said he could not hear the Vuvuzelas whose sole mission was to create confusion among the Mexican squad. He complained that the Mexican fans outnumbered the South African ones. He wants the Vuvuzelas' support to win.
Nigerian Kanu Not Afraid of Argentina's Big Name Players
Kanu will be facing Argentina for the fourth time in his career, and the Portsmouth striker is confident the Super Eagles have what it takes to beat the Albiceleste.
"Argentina have the big-name players and everyone respects them. We also acknowledge that they are good and great players," Kanu told African website Kick Off.
"Argentina also have the same respect for us because they know the quality of our team and know that there is plenty that we can come up with at anytime. Yes, it will be tough but I believe we can overcome on the day. It is the World Cup and things do happen."
Despite the quality Argentina possess, the 33-year-old believes Nigeria will come out on top and that the game will be settled by a single goal.
"You know, it is always very close any time we play them at the top level. It is either 2-1 or 1-0. I expect that on Saturday, it would also be close, but victory will be Nigeria's."
"Argentina have the big-name players and everyone respects them. We also acknowledge that they are good and great players," Kanu told African website Kick Off.
"Argentina also have the same respect for us because they know the quality of our team and know that there is plenty that we can come up with at anytime. Yes, it will be tough but I believe we can overcome on the day. It is the World Cup and things do happen."
Despite the quality Argentina possess, the 33-year-old believes Nigeria will come out on top and that the game will be settled by a single goal.
"You know, it is always very close any time we play them at the top level. It is either 2-1 or 1-0. I expect that on Saturday, it would also be close, but victory will be Nigeria's."
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