World Cup 2010: grand teams that have light up the world

BRAZIL 1970

Rivelino, Jairzinho, Gerson, Tostao and Pele in his showiness. Defeat champions England, won every game in style and ending with the demolition of Italy and that wonderful team goal from Carlo Alberto.

Grandness rating 10/10

GERMANY 1974

Germany’s splendid side of Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier and Gerd Müller are right up there in the pantheon, if only for their final downing of Johan Cruyff and his incredible Dutch side, the world still remembers total package of the orange far more lovingly.

Grandness rating 8/10

ARGENTINA 1978

Has home benefit counted for more at a World Cup (other than 1966, observably)? Could not beat Brazil and lost to Italy, but carried on a ton of tickertape, advantageous kick-off times, a impressionable Peru and the encouragement of Mario Kempes, they were very unforgettable.

Grandness rating 7/10

ITALY 1982

Junior, Falcao, Socrates, and co was wondrous but Italy’s dazzling competence and Paolo Rossi’s deadly finishing make them one of the best champions in the world cup 1982.

Grandness rating 8/10

ARGENTINA 1986

It is so unmerited that a team’s performance should be so overshadowed, but Argentina did have all the think of a one-man show. Maradona’s hand of God and this was followed by his goals from paradise against Belgium and England. The last team to win without option to extra time or penalties.

Grandness rating 7/10

GERMANY 1990

Germany shone early on in Italy but, in a Cup of depressed quality, they needed penalties to beat England and then succeed against Argentina in the most suspicious, miserable final of all. Not grand.

Grandness rating 6/10

BRAZIL 1994

Brazil of Carlos Alberto Parreira went home after their fourth victory to an indifferent welcome. They had won but so had simplicity, personified in hard-hearted captain Dunga. One breathtaking win over Holland could not remove the memory of an dreadful final.

Grandness rating 6/10

FRANCE 1998

A marvellous French side, with Zinedine Zidane at his boasting finest, but the suspicion remained that they might not have crushed Brazil if the Ronaldo implosion had not happened. Well, how grand can a team be with Stephane Guivarc’h as their organized?

Grandness rating 7/10

BRAZIL 2002

Most likely the undervalue squad of all, the only crime for the three Rs – Ronaldinho, Ronando and Rivaldo – was not to have anybody to beat. England, Turkey, Belgium and a ordinary Germany in the knockout stages.

Grandness rating 8/10

ITALY 2006

Italy of 2006 always did seem a fairly colourless lot, apart from one outstanding win over Germany in the semi-finals. We will always memorize Zidane ahead of Fabio Cannavaro.

Grandness rating 6/10

Match preview: Denmark vs Japan

Group E

Denmark vs Japan
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
Kick-off: Thu June 24, 7.30pm BST

The World Cup fates of Denmark and Japan could twist on whether Nicklas Bendtner Danish striker is fit. Denmark makes once change with Per Kroldrup replacing the suspended Simon Kjaer.

Japan coach Takeshi Okada is expecting him to play and has been drilling his players on how to shut down the Arsenal striker. Takeshi Okada is expected to name the same starting line-up for the third consecutive match.

They said

Takeshi Okada: “It would be perfect if we can overcome the opponent by 10 goals. But it won't be that simple. I think it's going to be a very fierce, close game.”

Martin Olsen: "It's a crucial game and expectantly the first final for us. We know what to do. But it is hard to score goals nowadays when you play defensive teams."

Teams

Denmark (4-2-3-1): Sorensen; Agger, Jacobsen, Kroldup, S Poulsen; Jorgensen, C Poulsen; Gronkjaer, Rommedahl, Tomasson; Bendtner

Japan (4-1-4-1): Kawashima; Komano, Nagatomo, Tanaka, Nakazawa; Abe; Hasebe, Endo, Okubo, Matsui; Honda

Referee: J Damon (South Africa)

Match preview: Ghana vs Germany

Group D
Ghana vs Germany
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg

The pressure is on Joachim Löw’s Germany, the subject of condemnation back home and at the centre of a political power struggle, with his team having to produce the sort of form which saw them flounce away Australia in the opening game.
It’s advantage Ghana as they are set to become the first – and perhaps only – African qualifiers at the continent’s first World Cup.

They said

Joachim Löw: "Ghana is probably Africa's last chance in the tournament and will be very stimulated. It's not going to be a piece of cake, but we are very much confident that we have what it takes to beat Ghana."

Milovan Rajevac: “"We gained a lot against Australia and we will learn from our mistakes for the Germany match, we will do our best. We only approved one and it was a good goal and we always try to keep score.”

Teams

Germany (4-2-3-1): 1 Neuer, 16 Lahm, 17 Mertesacker, 3 Friedrich, 14 Badstuber, 7 Schweinsteiger, 6 Khedira; 8 Özil, 13 Muller, 10 Podolski 19 Cacau
Ghana (4-2-3-1): 22 Kingson, 4 Pantsil, 5 John Mensah, 15 Vorsah, 2 Sarpei; 6 Annan, 23 Boateng; 12 Tagoe, 21 Asamoah, 13 A Ayew, 3 Gyan

Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil).

Match preview: Slovenia vs England

Group C

Slovenia vs England
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

A match that definitely amounts to a play-off for condition into the last 16, with Slovenia having the advantage of knowing that they would development should there be a draw.

Slovenia has outperformed England in the most current history of their particular matches in opposition to the United States and Algeria, but the longer term form says that Fabio Capello’s team should succeed.

Matthew Upson will start in defence for England following injuries to Ledley King and Rio Ferdinand as well as the postponement of Jamie Carragher, while Slovenia are waiting on the strength of centre-back Marko Suler.

They Said
Fabio Capello

"After this game we have no more probability to alive. We have to win. The results have not been good, but I haven't seen the right strength on the pitch for 90 minutes, only for five or six minutes. I expect in the next game the spirit I saw in qualification will return."

Matjaz Kek: "Any national team knows it is really an honour to play England and it’s no dissimilar for us. After all, football was pretend there. It’s a great stage to promote and present our beautiful country."

Teams

Slovenia (4-4-2): 1 S Handanovic; 10 Birsa, 5 Cesar, 13 Jokic, 2 Brecko, 8 Koren, 18 Radosavljevic, 4 Suler, 17 Kirm; 9 Ljubijankic, 11 Novakovic

England (4-4-2): 1 James; 6 Terry, 19 Defoe, 8 Lampard, 2 Johnson, 15 Upson, 3 A Cole; 7 Lennon, 4 Gerrard, 10 Rooney, 14 Barry

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).

Match report: Nigeria 2 - 2 South Korea

Another African disappointment at this World Cup. Taking just one point from Group B means Nigeria - hosts South Africa and Ivory Coast - will watch the action on television, a setback for the tournament's taste, if not for its superiority.

Indeed, whilst this match produced on tension to keep a crowd of 60,000 absorbed, it also bore spectator to the miss of the competition.

It was the kind of miss which made Scotland's Chris Iwelumo a smiling stock when he miscued in alike approach against Norwa. Yakubu's however, was more of poorer quality.

However, after falling behind when Kala Uche scored his second goal of the tournament.

Uche, the remarkable Almeria forward, met Chidi Odiah's centre with right-foot end which beat Jung Sung-ryong at his near post. Uche, who scored Nigeria's opener in their crush in opposition to Greece.

Defender Lee Jung-soo streamed home Ki Sung-yong's floated free-kick for his second goal of the tournament.

Park Chu-young kept the Koreans the lead four minutes after the break when he bent a free kick around the wall. Yakubu then missed the great chance which will perpetually disturb him, but made unfair amends three minutes later when slotting home a penalty after Kim Nam-il had fouled Chinedu Obasi.

Match report: France 1 - 2 South Africa

Raymond Domenech and his players wanted to achieve this summer, but after a week of chaos within the French camp, at least they made somebody happy of their fans.

Reduced to ten men following the first-half dismissal of Yoann Gourcuff, France was outplayed by the hosts, who claimed victory with first-half goals from Katiego Mphela and Bongani Khumalo.

Florent Malouda’s late goal was no solace for France and the unpleasant taste left by their World Cup contribution was amplified with Domenech refusing to tremble the hand of South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira at the end of the game.

Go home France. Good exclusion.

Since the exclusion of Nicolas Anelka on Saturday for vocally abusing Domenech, the players have boycotted training, there has been talk of ‘traitors’ in the camp and French Sports minister Roselyne Bachelot acknowledged Les Bleus could ‘no longer be heroes for our children.’

Domenech, who accused his players of being ‘indescribably stupid,’ made six changes from the starting line-up in the 2-0 crush against Mexico. He could have made eleven.

South Africa, needing a five-goal swing and a crush for Mexico in opposition to Uruguay to have any hope of qualification, required all the help they might obtain.

Khumalo outjumped Abou Diaby to bunch the ball into the net with his shoulder, Hugo Lloris, the highly-rated French goalkeeper, misapprehend Siphiwe Tshabalala’s corner.

The red card was welcomed by Domenech placing his head in his hands, but South Africa now sensed a chance and they decanted forward.

Yet poorer French protecting endorsed Tsepo Masilela to cross to the far post, where Mphela knocked the ball into the blank net.

Mphela approximately made it 3-0 on 43 minutes with a low strike from far that was intensely saved by Lloris.

Thierry Henry replaced the unsuccessful Djibril Cisse, but South Africa continued to dominate, with Mphela striking the crossbar before having another lengthy range effort saved.

The missed chances in danger of extinction to prove expensively, especially with the margins so tight for the home team.

And the twist was taken out of South Africa’s sails on 70 minutes when Malouda scored for France after being teed up by Franck Ribery 12 yards out.

The superb goal destroyed South Africa’s dream, but for France, the nightmare will go on and on.

Match preview: Argentina v Greece

Group B
Argentina v Greece
Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

Argentina’s superior goal difference all but guarantees a place in the last 16, though their victory in Group B is not yet confirmed, while a point would be enough to see them top the group. Diego Maradona possibly will take the chance to rest several of his first-choice players.
Greece’s to win to stand any chance of succession, but Otto Rehhagel will not be repelled from his typical, cautious approach, relying on set pieces to build on the good work done by a rock-solid central defensive unit.
A typical clash between attack and defence. Greece bases their approach on solidity at the back, their towering central defensive partnership forming a striking barrier. Argentina, on the other hand, will look to play around their more static opponents, the likes of Angel di Maria, Maxi Rodriguez and Lionel Messi looking to pick holes in the Greek wall.
Two managers who might not be more complementary. Rehhagel is grayish and contorted an experienced person of countless skirmishes who rarely displays emotion on the sidelines. Maradona is, well, Maradona, a collection of everlasting energy and a fountainhead of endless emotion.

They said
Diego Maradona: “Messi will play, as he always wants to play and I love that. When I told him, he was very happy. We had been thinking of giving him a rest but to have a player of the class of Leo, without doubt the best in the world by a long way, it would have been a sin not to give him to the team, to the people, not give ourselves (the happiness).”

Otto Rehhagel: “Argentina is a top-class team, far greater to Greece. They will clearly be superior to us and we have got to see how to handle with them. We all know the Argentine team is of astonishing quality but we are happy to have a chance to qualify."


Teams
Argentina (4-2-3-1): Romero; Rodriguez, Otamendi, Demichelis, Burdisso; Veron, Bolatti; Di Maria, Messi, Aguero; Milito.

Greece (4-5-1): Tzvoras; Torosidis, Kyrgiakos, Seitaridis, Vyntra; Tziolis, Salpingidis, Karagounis, Ninis, Katsouranis; Gekas.

Match report: Portugal 7- 0 North Korea

Cristiano Ronaldo finished his 16-month international goal served and drought notice of his harsh capabilities by inspirational Portugal to a vigorous victory against North Korea.

The biggest-ever World Cup success, Portugal’s seven-goal win, Now Ivory Coast needing a victory over North Korea and a nine-goal swing in their favor.

Portugal will be eligible with a point in opposition to Brazil and Ronaldo, who made one, scored one and hit the cabinetmaking in this game, was the fabulous performer.

Queiroz the Portugal coach was clashing in his pre-match press conference on Sunday, first claiming that his team had large respect for the North Koreans before insisting that his players would be looking to increase their goal divergence with a vigorous victory.

North Korea was prepared at the back and their counter-attacking was aggressive and crisp. But Portugal, completely aware of the ramifications of a breakdown to win this game, grabbed the lead on 29 minutes when Raul Meireles gave a surprising pass from Tiago the finish it deserved from 12 yards.

Portugal’s goal gave the Koreans a distinctive disadvantage; such is their reliance on their defensive discipline.

Simao doubled their lead on 52 minutes with one more low-strike from close range before Hugo Almeida completed it 3-0 with a dominant header from Fabio Coentrao’s cross two minutes later.

Tiago then added one more on 60 minutes when he directed Ronaldo’s cross into the net from 12 yards. Ronaldo worked up the crossbar on 71 minutes before replace with Liedson completed it 5-0 nine minutes later.

But the goal that the Green Point Stadium had been distracted to witness came on 87 minutes when Ronaldo pounced on a back pass before slotting past goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk.

Korean humiliation was ensured, but Tiago compounded their depression with a header to make it 7-0 two minutes later.

World Cup 2010: Chile vs Switzreland Goals and Highlights

Chile vs Switzerland Goals and Highlights

Analysis of Enagland vs Algeria match--World Cup 2010

England vs Algeria match was tied.
Here is a clip of some mistakes by
England and Algeria

Carlos Tevez confident and ready for World Cup 2010

Argentina is ready to the World Cup finals but Carlos Tevez is talking up their likelihood of success in world cup 2010 in South Africa.
Argentina is in Group B alongside Korea Republic, Greece and Nigeria and while they will be favorites to win the group, if only because it is a group that the other three will confidently believe they can come second in.
Tevez said: "This is a World Cup. Who can not been motivated when they have this opportunity? In the qualifiers everything was a lot more difficult. Injuries didn't allow me to be fully fit, something that's not the case today. Honestly I feel 10 out of 10. I am a lot more focused than four years ago, I'm preparing myself very much for the first game. Since I got on the plane from England to travel to Argentina and join the group, I have been thinking about the opener against Nigeria."