Category: World Cup 2010

World Cup Stadium Profile: Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

It’s recent history includes both triumph and tragedy but Ellis Park remains the most famous South African stadium and it’s a venue fit for champions in the first-round of World Cup 2010, says Ben Lyttleton. “The stadium was packed to its 62,000 capacity when it hosted the 2009 Confederations Cup final. Brazil came from two goals down to beat USA 3-2.” As the most well-known arena in South Africa, Ellis Park has seen its fair share of drama, and in recent years, it has brought glory and tragedy to the country. The glory came in 1995, when the stadium hosted the Rugby World Cup final in which South Africa sealed their return to the international sporting arena by beating New Zealand in the final. The tragedy was in 2001, when 42 fans were crushed to death during a match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Since then, the stadium has been reconstructed and the new capacity is 62,000: it was packed out when it hosted the 2009 Confederations Cup final when Brazil came from two goals down to beat USA 3-2. Three former World Cup winners will be playing at Ellis Park in the group stages of the tournament: the first match there will be Argentina-Nigeria, with others to follow including Brazil-North Korea, Slovenia-USA, Spain-Honduras and Slovakia-Italy. There will also be one Round of 16 match and one quarter-final there ­- not bad going for for a stadium that was built in 1928 exclusively for rugby

Mar 10, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

World Cup Stadium Profile: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban

It may not be for sufferers of vertigo but this splendid beacon of unity and proleterian heroism hosts a cracking line-up of group stage matches, says Ben Lyttleton. “Fans at the 69,000-capacity stadium will be treated to superb first-round matches which will hopefully be more exciting than the first match at the stadium, when Maritzburg United beat Amazulu 1-0.” The Moses Mabhida Stadium is probably the most visually stunning of all the venues hosting World Cup matches, with its 350m long arch over the top of the arena making for a sensational sight.

Mar 10, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

World Cup Betting: England’s full-back woes deepen after Brown injury

Manchester United defender joins Cole on the treatment table as Capello is forced to consider full-back options. “Capello will be paying close attention when Owen Hargreaves makes his return for Manchester United’s reserves on Thursday night.” England’s defensive problems have deepened after it was revealed that Wes Brown will be out for at least six weeks with a metatarsal injury. The Manchester United defender, who played right-back for England in last week’s win over Egypt, was expected to be selected as cover for Glenn Johnson. With the Liverpool player still working his way back to full fitness and Ashley Cole out with a broken ankle, Fabio Capello may need to find alternatives for both full-back positions. All three could yet be fit to play in South Africa but, as the Premier League season enters its final stages, the Italian will be concerned at the frequency with which England players are picking up injuries . After Brown and Johnson, Manchester City’s Micah Richards and United’s Gary Neville would be the obvious options but Capello doesn’t seem to fancy Richards and Neville’s domestic appearances this season have been sporadic and erratic. Instead, he will be paying attention when Owen Hargreaves makes his return for United’s reserves on Thursday night

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Classic World Cup: Zaire make their mark in 1974

Debutants show an innovative way of defending a dangerous set piece… The beauty of World Cup Football is that it pits nations of varying size, heritage, culture and rulebook knowledge against each other. In the 1974 group game between giants Brazil and minnows Zaire, Jarzinho and co were lining up to take a free kick 25 yards from goal, when upon hearing the referee’s whistle, opposition right-back Ilunga Mwepu charged out from the wall and booted the ball downfield. The moment provided a wonderful insight into the gargantuan chasm that existed between the two sides, and without trying to sound too patronizing, the innocent yet comical act endeared the Zairese to the watching world. Everyone accept the referee that is.

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Classic World Cup: Zidane uses and loses his head

The unfortunate final act of a great man’s memorable international career… The exact words uttered by Marco Materazzi, that in turn made Zinedine Zidane head-butt him in the 2006 World Cup Final, will it seems forever remain a mystery. Zidane has intimated that it was family related, yet it is hard for even the most depraved of minds to fathom an insult that would make such a legend of the game snap so outlandishly, at such a crucial time. What made the episode particularly unfortunate was that Zidane had been so magnificent prior to that moment, that during half-time of the Final he was voted by FIFA as the ‘Player of the Tournament’

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Classic World Cup: The perfect finish to the perfect move

A goal that reflected the sheer beauty of a side which even to this day has no equal… If ever a goal was fitting of the team that created it, this was it.

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

World Cup Team Profiles: Group G: Ivory Coast

They’ve had the misfortune of being drawn into the Group of Death yet again. This time however, Ivory Cost have every reason to be confident of coming out alive… They’re [ 1.9] to get out of Group G, and if you fancy them to do that, the [ 30.0 ] on offer on them going all the way is a bet you should really be thinking about having. In their home continent, with the experience of 2006 under their belt, and with the best striker in the world in Didier Drogba within their ranks, Ivory Coast are a side boasting the ingredients necessary to make a lasting impression in South Africa.

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

World Cup Team Profiles: Group G: North Korea

They shocked the world in 1966 yet the chances of North Korea doing the same again in 2010 seem like zero-to-none… Due to the nature of their politics, there have been many wondering why FIFA haven’t banned North Korea from the World Cup, though judging by the draw they’ve been given, the conspiracy theorists out there would suggest that Blatter and co have done the next best thing. And while there aren’t many outcomes that are certain in football, one that appears nailed-on is that North Korea will play no more than three tournament games in South Africa, hence the fact that they’re currently available at the maximum Betfair price of [ 1000 ] to win it. Nation: North Korea Also known as… ‘Chollima’ Route to South Africa… It took them 20 months and 16 games to reach South Africa, with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia eventually sealing their World Cup place.

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

World Cup Team Profiles: Group G: Portugal

For long periods it looked as if Portugal wouldn’t be at the World Cup, although now they’re there, they have the quality to pose a real threat… Considering that they possess a player who can win games on his own, the [ 32.0 ] on offer for Portugal to win the World Cup seems rather generous. The fact that they’re in a difficult group certainly hasn’t helped their cause, but if they do progress at odds of [ 1.75 ], they’ll quickly go from dark horses to genuine contenders. Nation: Portugal Also known as… A Selecção das Quinas Route to South Africa… Fraught

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

World Cup Team Profiles: Group G: Brazil

The Spanish might be favourites, but Brazil are still the team that everyone will want to beat in South Africa… What’s particularly scary about this Brazilian side is that whereas in the past optimistic opponents could always point to a weakness, this time around there appears to be none. What’s more, their coach has drilled the type of discipline into the team which served him so well as a player, and the relatively new-found virtue of solidity, coupled with their devastating creativity, makes the [ 6.2 ] on them to triumph look like a safe place to put your money. Nation: Brazil Also known as… ‘A Selecao’ or “O Escrete” Route to South Africa… All together pretty painless. Yes, consecutive home draws against Argentina, Columbia and Bolivia did cause some consternation. However, after going on a five-match winning spree from April onwards, Dunga’s men qualified for South Africa with three games to spare, and crucially, they secured their place with a magnificent 3-1 win over Argentina in Rosario. World Cup Pedigree… No nation matches Brazil in this category. They are the only side to have taken part in all 19 editions of the event, and they are the only nation to have won it on five different occasions. Regardless of the personnel at their disposal or their form going into the tournament, Brazil always enter their first match heavily favoured to reach the final at least.

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
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