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Offline antox

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2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa
« on: June 07, 2010, 04:14:50 PM »

Matthaus: A tournament full of surprises
(FIFA.com) Monday 7 June 2010
Germany’s most-capped player Lothar Matthaus is currently busily preparing for his role as a TV pundit at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Speaking exclusively to FIFA.com, the former FIFA World Player of the Year outlined his plans for the future, Germany’s chances at the finals, and what he expects to see at the first FIFA World Cup finals in Africa.

FIFA.com: You recently signed up with the biggest Arabic broadcaster Al-Jazeera Sport as a commentator at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Do you see your future in the media?
Lothar Matthaus: I’ll always be involved in football, and it's true I’ve been busier with media projects than the playing side of the game recently. I’ve been travelling a lot, mainly working on international TV projects. I’d still like to get back into coaching, but I have a very specific vision. Everything would have to be right before I took up a new position. A couple of contracts have been put in front of me and just required my signature, but I was never 100 per cent convinced, and I’m not the kind of guy who takes snap decisions. I’m prepared to wait patiently.

Your former club and UEFA Champions League winners Inter Milan have a coaching vacancy right now. How good are your contacts in Milan?
It's true that I’m still in touch with Inter, although nowhere near as closely as with Bayern Munich. There’s a new board in Milan, and the folks I knew back then have moved on. By the way, I’d just like to take this opportunity to congratulate Inter on winning the Champions League. They deserved it, even if it was a case of split loyalties for me. As for the job as head coach, I’m a realist. I can’t believe my name’s come up. I’ve won a few trophies, but I just don’t have the track record.

On the eve of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, what are you expecting from the tournament?
I’m expecting a festival of football, like the one four years ago in Germany. I think we’re in for a peaceful and magnificent World Cup. The finals are taking place in a country where the people are passionate about football. I think the passion will sweep over the field of play from the stands, and vice-versa.
I expect an African team to make the semi-finals, because they definitely have what it takes.
Lothar Mattaus
Just like the other 31 FIFA World Cup hopefuls, Germany are in the final stages of preparation for the finals. Are Joachim Low’s players ready for the task?
That's very hard to say as an outside observer. Their preparations have hardly been optimal. The loss of Michael Ballack was a blow, as he would have been a dominant personality at the tournament. And the Bayern contingent joined up with the rest of the squad very late.

You mentioned that Germany captain Michael Ballack is out of the tournament. How much of a loss is that?
It's obviously a setback at first, but we’ve seen teams grow closer together in the past as a result of things like this. The players regroup and become even more determined. It also means a change in the hierarchy. The players who’ve been around for a while take another step up the ladder. At the end of the day, Ballack’s absence could even prove a positive.

First-choice keeper Rene Adler is also out of the finals with injury. How much of a setback is that?
I view the situation with Rene Adler a little differently. He’s not as strong a character as Ballack. It's a choker for Rene, and I’m gutted for him, but that’s football. It's a tough business. In any case, Germany don’t have a goalkeeping problem. All three keepers are on a par with Rene Adler - not to detract from the huge contribution he made towards Germany qualifying for South Africa, especially in the games against Russia.

You’ve said the three keepers are all as good as Adler, so who should keep goal in South Africa?
Before Adler’s injury, Manuel Neuer was second-choice and Tim Wiese third. Logically, Neuer should now be No1. Both Wiese and Jorg Butt have plenty of factors in their favour, as both have greater international experience. But Neuer was outstanding at the U-21 European Championship. I believe he has what it takes to provide a strong last line of defence at the World Cup.

In Ballack’s absence, Germany have appointed a new captain for the finals. Is Philipp Lahm the right choice?
I see Philipp Lahm as Michael Ballack’s natural successor. The only thing that bothers me is that he’s a full-back, so by definition he’s not in the midfield area. But otherwise, he has everything you need from a captain. He’s an excellent communicator, be it with the other players, the association, the media or anyone else in the national set-up, and that is vital at a World Cup. He’s respected by everyone, and especially his team-mates at club level. That power base will protect and support him.

The Germans finished third at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and runners-up at UEFA EURO 2008. Where will they finish in South Africa?
Expectations are high, but other countries have caught up fast. Germany lack the brilliant individuals who can settle a match on their own, and that’s been obvious for some years now. But there’s still a huge amount of respect for Germany, which is part of what makes them so dangerous. They have to make the quarter-finals at a minimum. Whether they go any further depends on a lot of factors.

Who are your favourites for the trophy?
I have European champions Spain, Confederations Cup winners Brazil, and Argentina at the top of my list. They can pick from the best players in the world. The Netherlands have great players too, but with the exception of 1974 and 1978, they’ve never really done well at the World Cup. There’s a tendency for their individuals to play to the gallery, and that affects their performance as a team.

For the first time, six African nations are at the finals. How do you think they might fare, and what of hosts South Africa and their passionate home crowds?
If you just look at the quality of the players, South Africa are the weakest team at the tournament. They have a great coach, but he can’t do much without quality players. Obviously, they have the huge advantage of playing at home, and I do hope they make it out of their group, but it will be an immense challenge. I hold out more hope for the other African teams, all of whom boast players who are at leading European clubs. I expect an African team to make the semi-finals, because they definitely have what it takes, although I wouldn’t like to identify one nation at this stage. What I am expecting is a World Cup full of surprises, with one or two pre-tournament favourites knocked out quite early on.
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Offline antox

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Re: 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2010, 04:18:50 PM »


Six more teams land for FIFA World Cup
(LOC) Monday 7 June 2010
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) would like to welcome Greece, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Chile and New Zealand who arrived in the country today (6 June) for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

“It is a great pleasure to be able to welcome the six teams that arrived in South Africa today. With the football stars now arriving in the country, we are really starting to feel the excitement. The World Cup has well and truly landed,” said Chief Executive Officer of the OC, Dr Danny Jordaan.

Portugal

“We had a great trip, got some good rest and couldn’t have asked for a better weather. Now, two years after having started our hard work, here we are as one of the 32 nations playing in the greatest tournament of all."

"We want to enjoy this World Cup as much as we can and now we have all of our attention focused on Ivory Coast. Our players are ready to ‘eat grass’ in order to succeed,” said Portugal’s coach, Carlos Queiroz.

Portugal play their opening game against Cote d'Ivoire in Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth on 15 June. They then switch to Cape Town to play against Korea DPR on 21 June, ending their group matches in Durban to take on the Brazil on 25 June.

Greece

Greece will open their tournament against Korea Republic in Nelson Mandela Bay/ Port Elizabeth on 12 June before travelling to Mangaung/Bloemfontein to face the Super Eagles of Nigeria on 17 June. From there they will then make the trip to Polokwane to play Argentina in the final group match on 22 June.

Japan

Japan will play their first game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Mangaung/ Bloemfontein on14 June before making the journey to Durban to play Netherlands on 19 June. They will then move from Durban to Rustenburg to play their last group match against Denmark on 24 June.

Netherlands

Netherlands will play their opening fixture against Denmark at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on 14 June. From there, they travel to Durban to face Japan on 19 June, then moving to Cape Town to face Cameroon on 24 June.

Chile

Chile begin the tournament in Nelspruit against Honduras on 16 June, moving to Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth to take on Switzerland 21 June. Chile will move to Tshwane/Pretoria to take on Spain in their final group game on 25 June.

New Zealand

New Zealand will open their tournament against Slovakia at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on 15 June. They will then travel to Nelspruit to face Italy on 20 June. They will then travel to Polokwane to play Paraguay in their final group match on 24 June.
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Re: 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2010, 04:20:38 PM »
Capello includes Cole, drops Walcott
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 1 June 201

Fabio Capello has included injury doubt Gareth Barry and the recently recovered Joe Cole in England’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, but overlooked Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone, Scott Parker, Adam Johnson, Darren Bent and, unexpectedly, Leighton Baines and Theo Walcott.

Call-ups were also handed to versatile defender Jamie Carragher, who recently came out of international retirement, centre-back Ledley King, once-capped left-back Stephen Warnock, midfielder Michael Carrick, right-wingers Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon, and forwards Emile Heskey and Jermain Defoe.

Barry suffered ankle ligament damage in Manchester City’s defeat by Tottenham Hotspur early last month. The midfielder passed a series of intense fitness tests in London this morning, however, and although he is unlikely to be ready for the curtain-raiser against USA on 12 June, indications are that he could be available to start the Three Lions’ remaining Group C games against Algeria and Slovenia.

Joe Cole endured an injury-ravaged 2009/10 season and although named in England’s provisional 30-man squad last month, was initially an outsider to make the final 23. The inventive 28-year-old nevertheless starred as a second-half substitute against Japan on Sunday, which appears to have convinced Capello to take him to his third FIFA World Cup.

The omission of Walcott came as a significant surprise. The Arsenal winger, who was included in England’s squad for Germany 2006 having failed to make a single appearance in the Premier League, started the recent victories over Mexico and Japan. Moreover, the 21-year-old memorably scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory in Croatia that put his country firmly en route to a place at South Africa 2010.

Walcott admitted he was "very disappointed" to have missed out, but added: "I would like to wish the team the best of luck and hope they have a really successful tournament."

Left-winger Johnson was another left disappointed. The 22-year-old was playing for Middlesbrough in the Championship until early February, but excelled in the Premier League after joining Manchester City thereafter. He also impressed during England training sessions and as a late substitute in their 3-1 victory over Mexico in what was his one and only international appearance to date.

Dawson, Warnock and Parker were expected to miss out after failing to receive any playing time over the two recent warm-up matches, as was Bent, who disappointed during a 45-minute run-out against the Samurai Blue.

England squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Forwards: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.
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*Please note that squad lists only become official after they have been submitted to and announced by FIFA.
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