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Search in the search engine at the right about the result of the final of the second world cup in the history . Send your answers to (support_20mondial10@hotmail.com) this question is valid until
2:00 pm GMT , and the prize is +3 points
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Can Lions roar, Aussies bounce back?
Twenty years after their finest hour on the world stage, Cameroon are walking a wire without a safety net here in South Africa. Beaten 1-0 by Japan in a match they were tipped to win, and scheduled to face the Netherlands in their third Group E game, the west Africans must emerge victorious from their upcoming encounter with Denmark to retain any realistic chance of qualifying for the Round of 16.
While Denmark appear, on paper at least, to be in the same boat, Morten Olsen's men do have the consolation of knowing that they have already got their most difficult match out of the way, an impressive-looking Dutch side having put them to the sword 2-0. As for Japan, unexpected gatecrashers at the Group E party, they will approach their clash with the Netherlands in a fearless state of mind, even if a draw might represent a good result under the circumstances. Both they and the Dutch would tie up a place in the second round with victory, should the Cameroon-Denmark contest produce a draw.
In the day's other game, Ghana and Australia, both last-16 qualifiers at Germany 2006, will take to the pitch with very different build-ups behind them. Boosted by their 1-0 triumph over Serbia, the Black Stars could take a huge step towards the next round by beating a Socceroos side that was taken apart by Germany. An added headache for coach Pim Verbeek is the absence of their talisman Tim Cahill, suspended after being sent off against Germany. The Africans and the Aussies have never met before at the FIFA World Cup, but in six previous friendly matches, Australia hold the upper hand with four wins.
The matchesNetherlands-Japan, Group E, Durban, 13.30
Ghana-Australia, Group D, Rustenburg, 16.00
Cameroon-Denmark, Group E, Tshwane/Pretoria, 20.30
The big gameCameroon-DenmarkIn the first-ever encounter between these two proud footballing nations, each knows that any result other than a win could well end their hopes of advancing to the next round. Cameroon's self-appointed role of African flag-bearer is one they are now close to relinquishing, a state of crisis having been declared following their defeat by Japan. Much debate surrounds Samuel Eto'o and his possible deployment through the middle or out wide, the role he fulfils at Inter Milan. "I accept responsibility for my selection," says coach Paul Le Guen, perhaps wishing that Cameroon, like Inter, could call on a Diego Milito figure for Eto'o to aim those crosses at.
Facing the Indomitable Lions will be a Denmark side that, despite some remarkable results in qualifying, appeared to be suffering from fatigue against the Netherlands, in addition to injuries to key forwards. Although the Danes caused the Dutch a few problems, they were often second to the 50-50 balls, which would go some way to explaining the unfortunate manner in which both goals were conceded. But Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen believes that his team only had themselves to blame, insisting that "you create your own luck in football".
In focusHonda v the OranjeThe 24-year-old Keisuke Honda, Japan’s man of the match against Cameroon and scorer of the only goal, knows all about Dutch football, having spent two seasons with VVV-Venlo, during which time he found the net 24 times in 64 appearances. Hugely motivated by his excellent start to South Africa 2010, the goal-hungry CSKA Moscow midfielder is set to pose the biggest threat to the Netherlands defence.
What they said"After this World Cup is over and done with, Paul will have to answer to his superiors, the same people that put their trust in him in the first place. And I, as a player and captain of this team, will need to do the same," Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon forward.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Are Germany the team to beat ?
Germany beating Australia was no surprise. Germany beating Australia in the emphatic manner in which they did was.
FIFA.com wants to know if that 4-0 win has, in your view, established Joachim Low’s side as the favourites to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
Simply click ‘Add your comment’ to join the discussion, remembering to keep your comments clean, respectful, on-topic and in English. Add a comment and share your estimation
England seek reassurance, Germany more goals
Held to an unsatisfactory 1-1 by USA in their first game, England need three points against Algeria to restore their flagging confidence and get their Group C bid back on course. With the wily Rabah Saadane at the helm, the Desert Foxes will be out to stymie the English. Failure to do so could result in a shock elimination.
No side has been more impressive at South Africa 2010 than Germany, who overwhelmed Australia in their tournament bow and are now seeking to impose their compelling brand of football on a Serbia side still smarting from their 1-0 defeat to Ghana.
The conquerors of Russia in the play-offs, unfancied Slovenia go into their game against USA full of confidence. Having kicked off with a win, the well-drilled Dragons will likely be planning to keep things tight at the back and hit the Americans on the counter.
The matches
Germany-Serbia, Group D, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, 13.30
Slovenia-USA, Group C, Johannesburg (Ellis Park), 16.00
England-Algeria, Group C, Cape Town, 20.30
The big gameEngland-AlgeriaFabio Capello could barely conceal his delight at the news that Gareth Barry would be available for the meeting with Algeria. Following a stop-start domestic season and a frustrating six-week injury layoff, the left-sided Manchester City midfielder is set to reclaim his place in the side. As well as offering England a measure of defensive stability, Barry’s return will also allow skipper Steven Gerrard to switch back to his preferred position on the left.
In this the first ever meeting between the sides, the Algerians will be hoping to draw on the Premier League experience of Portsmouth duo Nadir Belhadj and Hassan Yebda, who know all about the strengths and weaknesses of the English. On the downside, Les Fennecs will be deprived of the services of one of their prized assets, striker Abdelkader Ghezzal, who was sent off against Slovenia.
In focus
The German defence v Nikola Zigic
The meeting between Group D leaders Germany and Serbia should produce its fair share of aerial tussles as the spindly Zigic goes head to head against totemic duo Per Mertesacker and Holger Badstuber, with towering goalkeeper Manuel Neuer sure to get involved in the fray as well.
Serbian shotstopper Vladimir Stojkovic will face a different kind of challenge against German strike tandem Jeronimo and Miroslav Klose, who reminded everyone of his aerial prowess with a sublime header against the Socceroos last Sunday. Mindful of the battle that awaits them against the Balkan side, the veteran finisher has been warning against complacency, urging Nationalmannschaft fans to “keep their feet on the ground”.
What they said
“We're on a learning curve, working on the little details that can make all the difference. That’s what top-level football is about,” Algeria coach Rabah Saadane ahead of his side’s crunch game with England
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Favourites enter the fray
Generally regarded as the favourites for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, Spain’s first appearance in this year’s tournament is Wednesday’s major highlight. Up against Switzerland, an opponent they have yet to lose to in 15 outings, La Selección will be keen to get their campaign off to a flying start.
After triumphing in style at UEFA EURO 2008, the Iberians will be looking to finally make an impression at FIFA’s flagship tournament, where their best result remains a fourth-place finish back in 1950. The other match in Group H will also exhibit a strong Spanish accent, as Chile, second only to Brazil in South American qualifying, confront CONCACAF side Honduras, competing at this level for the first time since 1982.
The final encounter of the day sees host nation South Africa take on Uruguay in what promises to be an incredible atmosphere at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane/Pretoria. With all four teams in Group A deadlocked on a single point, the match is crucial for both sides. Fervently backed by an expectant nation, Bafana Bafana will need to keep their heads and concentrate on the task before them, in a game where the slightest error could prove crucial.
The matches
Honduras-Chile, Group H, Nelspruit, 13.30 (local time)
Spain-Switzerland, Group H, Durban, 16.00 (local time)
South Africa-Uruguay, Group A, Tshwane/Pretoria, 20.30 (local time)
The big game
Spain-Switzerland
Have Spain ever been on better form? And has a previous Spanish side ever seen so many talented footballers blossom at the same time, and in every position? After winning EURO 2008, former coach Luis Aragones gave way to Vicente del Bosque, but the change at the helm had no negative impact on the team’s performances. Far from it – Spain won all ten of their qualifying matches, advancing to South Africa 2010 with relative ease. But the European champions do not simply secure victories; they do it in style, with a flowing, one-touch football not dissimilar to that of Barcelona, provider of eight members of the Spanish squad, including new recruit, David Villa. In their final friendly match before the tournament, Spain put on a masterclass of attacking football, beating Poland 6-0.
In the opposing dugout, Ottmar Hitzfeld will be counting on a blend of youth, such as Eren Derdiyok, Tranquillo Barnetta and goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, and experience, like talisman Alexander Frei and veteran forward Blaise N'Kufo. To have any chance in the match, the Swiss will need to rediscover their qualifying form, rather than the disappointing level they attained during their warm-up games.
In focus
Aaron Mokoena (RSA) v Diego Forlan (URU)
The key to the potentially decisive match between South Africa and Uruguay could lie in the duel between the Bafana Bafana defender and La Celeste’s star striker. The youngest international in his country’s history, Mokoena is also its most-capped, having donned the yellow jersey on 102 occasions. Dealing with the enormous pressures that come with captaining the host nation is something that ‘Mbazo’ accomplishes with an air of great calmness. In the opposing camp, Forlan has constituted Uruguay’s greatest attacking threat for several years now. With 24 goals in 63 international appearances, his skills are as sharp as they ever were, as evidenced by his Budweiser Man of the Match award against France.
What they said
“Our main attribute, and it’s verging on a genetic thing, is our speed. Whereas Honduras are a very compact team it’s tricky to get in behind them, especially on the edge of their box. I can’t reveal anything specific, but we’ve been working with our coach on a way to find a way through the defensive barricade that they tend to put up,”
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Bafana seek to maintain momentum
South African dreams of a shock run into the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ face a moment of truth on Wednesday in a critical match against Diego Forlan-led Uruguay.
Unfancied South Africa, trying to avoid becoming the first host nation to fail to advance from the group stage, opened with a 1-1 draw against Mexico while Uruguay and France played out a nervy 0-0 draw, leaving Group A up for grabs.
"Uruguay will be in trouble if we carry on where we left off against the Mexicans," said South African midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala, whose opening strike of the tournament was the first World Cup finals goal on African soil. A win against Uruguay will virtually seal our passage into the second round and make the nation even prouder."
Forlan, who scored both goals in Atletico Madrid's UEFA Europa League final victory over Fulham to cap an outstanding club season, leads a Uruguay attack that figures to be a formidable challenge for the defence of Bafana Bafana. "It is going to be a tough game for us and we have to take maximum points," said South Africa's Steven Pienaar, whose performances from midfield for English Premier League club Everton have made him his country's best-known player.
"Uruguay are a really physical team who are well organised in defence with three centre-backs and also boast several good attacking players apart from Diego Forlan."
South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar.
South African centre-back Bongani Khumalo is excited for the chance to face Forlan. "Diego is a world-class footballer, but the whole point of playing in this tournament is to test yourself against the best," Khumalo said. "There is no fear of Forlan nor Uruguay."
Pienaar said his side will be no less formidable than against Mexico. "We just have to go on," Pienaar said. "We can only get better now."
After escaping their emotional and historic FIFA World Cup opener with a draw, the passion lingers among South African players, Mokoena insisted. "The confidence is still there among the boys," he said.
Thousands of vuvuzela-tooting supporters will be on hand at Loftus Versfeld, the same pitch where Ghana beat Serbia 1-0 on Sunday, making a little piece of history as the first African side to win a FIFA World Cup match in Africa. South African captain Aaron Mokoena called vuvuzelas "our 12th man that we need. It's our weapon. We don't mind vuvuzelas at all."
The loud buzz from the plastic trumpets has unsettled some teams but is sweet music to spark the spirit of South African players. "What we have seen from our supporters is amazing and we need to reach the second round for their sake," South African defender Siboniso Gaxa said. "I believe four points will be enough to claim a place in the knockout stage."
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez knows his side, which has beaten South Africa 4-3 and drawn 0-0 in prior meetings, will need every point it can get to avoid being left out of the last 16. "All the teams are on the same footing now," Tabarez said. "The group is now evenly balanced and the next games will be crucial."
Monday, June 14, 2010
Group G to the fore, with licence to thrill
The only country to have won the FIFA World Cup™ outside their own continent, five-time champions Brazil take their opening bow at South Africa 2010 against Group G outsiders Korea DPR. Following their untimely quarter-final exit at Germany 2006, A Seleção Pentacampeã have their minds firmly fixed on adding another world title to their already impressive collection.
The other game in the section, between Portugal and Côte d’Ivoire, has a cup-tie feel about it. Les Eléphants are still waiting on Didier Drogba, who had an operation on his injured elbow nine days ago and remains doubtful for a match that will be crucial to the final outcome in the section. Largely unimpressive in qualifying, A Selecção das Quinas enjoyed a promising build-up to the finals, winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games. And with a proven matchwinner in Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, the Portuguese are sure to pose a potent threat up front.
Slovakia are warm favourites going into their game with New Zealand, who are back on the big stage for the first time in 28 years and only the second time in their history. Vladimir Weiss’s side has a solid look about it, with Liverpool central defender Martin Skrtel, Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik and Stanislav Sestak, their top scorer in the qualifiers, making up a formidable spine.
The matches
New Zealand-Slovakia, Group F, Rustenburg, 13.30
Côte d’Ivoire-Portugal, Group G, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, 16.00
Brazil-Korea DPR, Group G, Johannesburg (Ellis Park), 20.30
The big game
Brazil-Korea DPRBrazil’s qualifying campaign featured some pedestrian performances, including goalless draws with Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia, and some irresistible ones, most notably an emphatic 3-1 win over the Argentinians and a 4-0 thumping of Uruguay. The question is, which Seleção will turn up in South Africa? One thing we can expect is defensive solidity and blistering counter-attacks. A FIFA World Cup winner at USA 1994, national coach Dunga has fashioned a team in his own image, making those two attributes and the team ethic the unmistakable hallmarks of the class of 2010.
Braced for just their second participation in the world finals, the counter-punching North Koreans will need to be at their very best if they are to reprise the country’s most famous victory: a 1-0 defeat of Italy at England 1966.
In focus
Chelsea v ChelseaThe match between Côte d’Ivoire and Portugal could feature no fewer than five Chelsea players. Blues defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira seem certain to line up in the Portuguese defence against club colleague Salomon Kalou, with Ivorian talisman Didier Drogba a potential absentee. The fifth and final member of the Chelsea contingent is impish midfielder Deco, who could tilt the match in Portugal’s favour.
What they said
“I think it will be a tactical battle and neither side will want to concede. The team who makes less mistakes and sticks to their gameplan better will win,”
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