Spain Hit Stride Against Negative Portugal
Tuesday June 29, 2010
On Tuesday Spain thrashed Portugal 1-0. In the Iberian derby Carlos Queiroz's side were given a hiding in almost every department except the scoreline.
The Spanish have not been wholly convincing ... Read More
Fifa's Worst Nightmare
Sunday June 27, 2010
Sunday's World Cup second round matches could hardly have panned out worse for the game's governing body Fifa.
In Bloemfontein Frank Lampard's 'goal' was ruled out for England despite clearly crossing ... Read More
No Fairytale for the US
Saturday June 26, 2010
The US bowed out of the World Cup after a tight 2-1 defeat to Ghana on Saturday.
They were outplayed in the first-half and went in a goal down after an ... Read More
World Cup Observations
Saturday June 26, 2010
Some more observations from the tournament so far:
Why does Maicon get so emotional after Brazil's goals? Twice I have seen him holding back the tears, including after scoring this goal ... Read More
Italy a Pale Imitation
Thursday June 24, 2010
World champions Italy bowed out of the tournament on Thursday after a 3-2 defeat against Slovakia. Robert Vittek was their chief destroyer, putting the unfancied Slovaks 2-0 up and although ... Read More
Barca Stars Should Show a Little Respect
Wednesday June 23, 2010
Throughout this World Cup, and in the weeks leading up to it, Barcelona's players have seemingly engaged in an orchestrated attempt to assist in Cesc Fabregas' move from Arsenal.
The Gunners ... Read More
Emotional Donovan Carries US Through
Wednesday June 23, 2010
"We're not done yet", vowed Landon Donovan after scoring a dramatic 92nd minute winner against Algeria on Wednesday to send the US through to the second round of the 2010 ... Read More
Terry Rant May Rouse Troops
Monday June 21, 2010
John Terry's press conference on Sunday may have provided great copy for the gathered hacks, but England coach Fabio Capello was not happy. He showed this in no uncertain terms ... Read More
Coentrao Turning Heads for Portugal
Monday June 21, 2010
I have watched Portugal's opening two matches and on the evidence of their 7-0 demolition of North Korea on Tuesday, Fabio Coentrao looks an early contender for left back of the ... Read More
Keita: The Rivaldo of 2010
Sunday June 20, 2010
When Rivaldo committed one of the worst acts of cheating in World Cup history in 2002, Fifa banned him for two matches. They looked at the video of him feigning ... Read More
World Cup Observations
Saturday June 19, 2010
Some observations from the World Cup so far:
The Adidas Jabulani ball is having a disastrous effect on the tournament. Players are regularly shooting over because it is too light, and ... Read More
Return of ‘Le Sulk’
Saturday June 19, 2010
Nicolas Anelka earned the nickname of 'Le Sulk' as a teenager at Arsenal when he forced a move to Real Madrid in 1999.
The Frenchman has been involved in a ... Read More
US Robbed by Coulibaly
Friday June 18, 2010
"I saw a good finish and a good goal", observed Landon Donovan as he was interviewed on the touchline at the end of the US' thrilling 2-2 draw with Slovenia.
So ... Read More
The Peace Cup
Thursday June 17, 2010
One thing that has surprised me in the opening week of World Cup matches has been the general lack of controversy. Excellent officiating has certainly contributed to this, but the ... Read More
This Goal Was No Con
Wednesday June 16, 2010
I watched in amazement last night as former Middlesborough manager and current World Cup pundit Gareth Southgate refused to even entertain the idea that Maicon meant to score his goal ... Read More
Hats Off to King Otto
Wednesday June 16, 2010
Many observers hoped that Spain would save the first round of World Cup matches from being a washout, but they could not. For all the pretty patterns they weaved in ... Read More
Cup of Woe
Tuesday June 15, 2010
As another dour World Cup match, this time between Ivory Coast and Portugal, came to a close in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the commentator noted that it "ended in ... Read More
Dutch Display Will Dampen Euphoria
Monday June 14, 2010
It is trendy at present to tip the Dutch as dark horses for the World Cup. But after an uninspired 2-0 win over a pedestrian Denmark side, those with knee-jerk tendencies ... Read More
It’s Not Easy Being Green
Saturday June 12, 2010
Robert Green's error was one of the worst I have seen from a goalkeeper in recent years.
The US will be delighted with a 1-1 draw against England, although it was ... Read More
Messi Banishes Rumors of Tiredness
Saturday June 12, 2010
Lionel Messi produced the best display of this fledgling World Cup in Argentina's 1-0 win over Nigeria on Saturday.
Argentina's fitness coach Fernando Signorini said recently that the Barcelona playmaker has arrived at ... Read More
Unambitious France a Major Disappointment
Friday June 11, 2010
The first day of the World Cup ended with South Africa drawing 1-1 with Mexico and France being held to a 0-0 stalemate by Uruguay.
Many are expecting France to flop ... Read More
Join the About.com Fifa Fantasy League
Wednesday June 9, 2010
I have set up a league in Fifa's official World Cup fantasy game. If you fancy going up against me, just create a squad of 23 players, click on 'my leagues' ... Read More
World Cup Fantasy Tips: Strikers
Wednesday June 9, 2010
The World Cup is an entertaining enough spectacle on its own, but it is always fun to have a little extra personal involvement in proceedings. If you're not a gambler, ... Read More
World Cup Fantasy Tips: Defenders
Wednesday June 9, 2010
You are allowed unlimited transfers after the group stage, so it is about picking a team you believe will do well over the next three sets of matches.
When picking defenders ... Read More
World Cup Fantasy Tips: Midfielders
Tuesday June 8, 2010
Having already looked at the strikers in Fifa's official World Cup fantasy game, it's time to assess the midfield options available to players.
The game allows you to choose eight midfielders, ... Read More
World Cup Fantasy Tips: Goalkeepers
Monday June 7, 2010
Fifa's official fantasy game for the 2010 World Cup requires you to choose three goalkeepers.
Substitutions can be made 15 minutes before each matchday, so they will all see some action.
It ... Read More
Benitez Departure No Quick Fix Solution
Saturday June 5, 2010
The end to Rafael Benitez's reign as Liverpool boss was announced on Thursday, and it was no surprise.
A seventh place finish, a third straight trophy-less season and the general lack ... Read More
Walcott Deserves Omission
Wednesday June 2, 2010
On Tuesday, Fabio Capello reminded everyone why he became known in his native Italy as the sergente di ferro (iron sergeant), as he dropped Theo Walcott from his squad.
Walcott travelled with ... Read More
Spain’s Secret Weapon?
Tuesday June 1, 2010
The Spain team that won Euro 2008 two years ago will show little change at the World Cup. The first-choice team at that tournament consisted of: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Capdevila, ... Read More