Esperance ready to climb a mountain

Miracles do exist as far as Esperance coach Faouzi Benzarti is concerned, and he is clinging to the hope his club might do the near impossible at the weekend and salvage the CAF Champions League title.

But Benzarti will certainly be in a minority of hardened optimists as his Tunisian club prepare to host Saturday’s second leg of this year’s final, down five goals from two weeks ago in the first match against TP Mazembe Englebert of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

But an imposing wall for the hosts to climb might have some steps after all, suggests the veteran coach. According to Benzarti his players are still smarting from the lopsided defeat in the first leg in Lubumbashi last month, where several controversial decisions left the Tunisians frustrated. “We know we need a miracle but I can see it happening,” he said at a press conference on the eve of the final at the 7 November Stadium in Rades, just on the outskirts of the capital Tunis. “The players are determined. We started to prepare for the return game as soon as we climbed on the plane in Congo (to head home). I’ve never seen so much frustration and injustice, we have been given motivation by what happened in the first leg,” he continued.

We remember well our game when we won 3-0 against them in the group phase without much exertion.

Esperance forward Osama Darragi on his team's previous success against Mazembe

Esperance‘s chagrin comes mainly from the opening goal of the first leg of the final, scored after 17 minutes in Lubumbashi by Mazembe’s Ngandu Kasongo, whose header from Patou Kabungu’s free kick was adjudged to have crossed the goal line, even though the Tunisian visitors were not convinced. Esperance then had defender Mohamed Ben Mansour sent off for an off-the-ball incident, and their remaining 10 men folded like a deck of cards as Mazembe went on a goal-scoring rampage.
Congolese shooting for history
However, for the Tunisians there is also a begrudging admission that they were outplayed in the first leg and that their opponents were formidable in equalling the 42-year-old record for the biggest winning margin in a leg of the final of Africa’s top club competition.
“This will be a tough game,” conceded Esperance’s playmaker Osama Darragi. “TP Mazembe are not easy to handle, but we remember well our game when we won 3-0 against them in the group phase without much exertion. We remain focused and we will enjoy the backing of our beloved fans.” Darragi, whose talismanic qualities make him one of Esperance’s potential trump cards, will have more motivation than most after being sacrificed in the first half of the first leg, taken off after Ben Mansour’s dismissal so Benzarti could bring another defender on.

“It will not be easy as they will play defensively,” predicted 25-year-old midfielder Khaled Korbi, but Mazembe’s approach may will be intriguing because the five-goal cushion affords them the opportunity to possibly coast through the second leg en route to a second successive Champions League title, their fourth overall. However, a 10-day-long camp in Belgium to prepare for the return match suggests a determination to chase after the record for the biggest winning margin in any African club competition final. That was set in 1979 in the now-defunct African Cup Winners’ Cup when Cameroon’s Canon Yaounde won by an 8-0 aggregate score against Kenya’s Gor Mahia.

Grant positive despite West Ham struggles

LONDON (AFP) - Avram Grant insists West Ham are on the verge of finding the form that will lift them to Premier League survival despite a disappointing 2-2 draw against West Brom.

Grant's team are stuck at the bottom of the table as they continue to search for a first league win since September 25.

Peter Odemwingie had put the Baggies in front from the penalty spot on 28 minutes, but West Ham fought back level before the break when Scott Parker smashed in a 25-yard effort.

Frederic Piquionne put West Ham ahead from the spot at the start of the second half and then missed a great chance to make it 3-1 before Pablo Ibanez headed in an equaliser to earn the visitors a share of the spoils on Wednesday.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan recently claimed West Ham needed to collect at least seven points from the run of games against Birmingham, West Brom, Blackpool and Liverpool - or "we know we have a real problem and that we have to shuffle the pack".

Despite the potential threat to Grant's position, West Ham threw away a two-goal lead at Birmingham on Saturday and this was another poor result, yet the former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss remains positive.

"We are very close to it - when the first win comes, we will win more and we are playing football to win games. We have had a lot of injuries and it is not easy," Grant said.

"We keep our style of football, it is not going like we want, but we are playing well and that is what frustrates us more than anything.

"The fans understand, they want more points, but no one more than myself and the players and staff want them.

"Everybody can see we play good games of football, from my experience if we continue like this, then the points will come.

"We are not a team who can go back and defend with eight or nine, we continue to play.

"But we will of course analyse the game and see what we can do better. The way we have conceded goals is something we need to think about."

Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo has no such problems as his promoted side continue to impress on their return to the top-flight.

"We controlled the game quite well, although we gave them an early Christmas present just before half-time which put them back into the game," Di Matteo said.

"The second half almost turned in their favour, but we managed to get a deserved equaliser and were a bit disappointed as we thought we could have got more out of the game, but we would take a point away from home."

China goalkeeper forced into national apology

GUANGZHOU, China (AFP) - Under-fire Chinese goalkeeper Wang Dalei, who sparked outrage after he called home fans "morons" and "a bunch of dogs", has apologised to the nation and been suspended.

The highly rated 21-year-old, linked with European champions Inter Milan and big-spending Manchester City, let loose on a micro-blogging site after being singled out for his failure to stop Japan's second goal on Monday.

The Japanese, China's bitter rivals, went on to win the match 3-0 in the Asian Games group stage in Guangzhou, to a barrage of criticism from fans and the Chinese media.

One TV commentator compared Wang to a "volleyballer".

"I apologise sincerely to the media and supporters of the whole nation for my unpleasant words, which damaged the image of the football team, sports and China," a repentant Wang said.

"It's my fault. I hope you can forgive me and give me another chance," he added, calling his outburst "extreme".

"I'll never make the same mistake in the future."

Nevertheless Cai Jiadong, secretary general of the Chinese Asian Games delegation, said that Wang had been "suspended and ordered to meditate on his action", the state Xinhua news agency said.

"Wang admitted his action was unsportsmanlike and irrational and hurt the feelings of Chinese soccer fans and tarnished the image as a national soccer team player," Cai said.

He did not say how many games Wang, who branded reporters "haters of Chinese soccer", would be suspended for, but he did not feature in their nail-biting 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday.

Wang had written on the micro-blogging site: "I heard that there are 7,000 professional soccer reporters (in China) and I guess 4,000 of them must hate soccer.

"Is that really necessary?

"I'm not a 'Spiderman'. I punched the ball out, but you guys still laugh at me. I was beaten on the pitch and verbally abused off. Don't say you know how to play soccer. Because you know nothing about it."

The blogging site has been shutdown until the end of the Asian Games, which finish on November 27.

World Cup Live Streaming

World Cup Live Streaming – Welcome the party of biggest football in the world that is World Cup Live Streaming South Africa 2010, then through the friend tried to be participating provided the service of Live Streaming FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 direct from your computer. If you did not yet have his match schedule please take note the Schedule of FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa. At the same time the list of the referee the World Cup South Africa 2010 that always will head while the implementation of the cup of the South African world took place will go along as well as was written. Was supported by us teams of our pet soccer team were their respective, is there that could predict who that will become the champion FIFA World Cup 2010?

Referee list South Africa 2010 World Cup:

1. Afrika Selatan vs Meksiko, Grup A

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan), asisten: Rafael Ilyasov
(Uzbekistan) dan Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan), ofisial keempat
Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)

2. Uruguay vs Prancis, Grup A

Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Jepang), asisten: Toru Sagara (Jepang) dan
Jeong Hae-sang (Korea Selatan), ofisial keempat: JoelAguilar:
(Slovenia)

Sabtu 12 Juni

3. Argentina vs Nigeria, Grup B

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Jerman), asisten: Jan-Hendrik Salver
(Jerman) dan Mike Pickel (Jerman), ofisial keempat:Khalil Al-Ghamdi
(Arab Saudi)

4. Korsel vs Yunani Grup B

Referee: Michael Hester (Selandia Baru), asisten: Jan Hendrik Hintz
(Selandia Baru) dan Tevita Makasini (Tonga), ofisial keempat: Martin
Vazquez: (Uruguay)

5. Inggris vs Amerika Serikat Grup C

Referee: Carlos Simon (Brasil), asisten: Altemir Hausmann (Brasil)
dan Roberto Braatz (Brasil), ofisial keempat: EddyMaillet (Seychelles)

Minggu 13 Juni

6. Aljazair vs Slovenia, Grup C

Referee: Carlos Alberto Batres (Guatemala), asisten: Leonel Leal
(Kosta Rika) dan Carlos Pastrana (Honduras), ofisial keempat: Peter
O’Leary (Selandia Baru)

7. Jerman vs Australia, Grup D

Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Meksiko), asisten: Jose Luis Camargo
(Meksiko) dan Alberto Morin (Meksiko), ofisial keempat: Martin Hansson
(Swedia)

8. Serbia vs Ghana, Grup D

Referee: Hector Baldassi (Argentina), asisten: Ricardo Casas
(Argentina) dan Hernan Maidana (Argentina), ofisial keempat:Subkhiddin
Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)

Senin 14 Juni

9. Belanda vs Denmark, Grup E

Referee: Stephane Lannoy (Prancis), asisten: Eric Dansault (Prancis)
dan Laurent Ugo (Prancis), ofisial keempat: RobertoRosetti (Italia)

10. Jepang vs Kamerun, Grup E

Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal), asisten: Jose Cardinal
(Portugal) dan Bertino Miranda (Portugal), ofisial keempat: Oscar Ruiz
(Kolombia)

11. Italia vs Paraguay, Grup F

Referee: Benito Archundia (Meksiko), asisten: Hector Vergara (Kanada)
dan Marvin Torrentera (Meksiko) ofisial keempat:Joel Aguilar (Slovenia)

Selasa 15 Juni

12. Selandia Baru vs Slovakia, Grup F

Referee: Jerome Damon (Afrika Selatan), asisten: Celestin Ntagungira
(Rwanda) dan Enock Molefe (Afrika Selatan), ofisial keempat: Ravshan
Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

13. Pantai Gading vs Portugal, Grup G

Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay), asisten: Pablo Fandino (Uruguay)
dan Mauricio Espinosa (Uruguay), ofisial keempat: MartinVazquez
(Uruguay)

14. Brasil vs Korea, Utara Group G

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungaria), asisten: Gabor Eros (Hongaria) dan
Tibor Vamos (Hongaria), ofisial keempat: Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh
(Malaysia)

Rabu 16 Juni

15. Honduras vs Cile, Grup H

Referee: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles), asisten: Evarist Menkouande
(Kamerun) dan Bechir Hassani (Tunisia), ofisial keempat: Yuichi
Nishimura (Jepang)

16. Spanyol vs Swiss, Grup H

Referee: Howard Webb (Inggris), asisten: Darren Cann (Inggris) dan
Michael Mullarkey (Inggris), ofisial keempat: Martin Hansson (Swedia).

Brazil calling on spirit of '94

On paper at least, Brazil’s FIFA World Cup™ qualifier at home to Bolivia on 29 August 1993 should have been straightforward. Carlos Alberto Parreira’s side were, however, under enormous pressure with three games left to play in the South American Zone.

Just one month earlier, Brazil had suffered their first-ever defeat in the qualifying competition, 2-0 away to Bolivia in La Paz, and the week before the return fixture had left the pitch to a barrage of booing after a 2-0 home win over Ecuador. However, showing the strength of will and unity that would end up taking them to glory at USA 1994, Brazil’s first world crown for 24 years, A Seleção put La Verde to the sword in a 6-0 success.

Yet despite the emphatic nature of that win, the defining moment came when the players entered the field hand-in-hand prior to kick-off. This gesture of togetherness was repeated before each match right through to 17 July 1994, the day they edged Italy on penalties to lift the FIFA World Cup Trophy for a fourth time.

His (footballing) philosophy is a good reflection of his personality: he’s serious, hard-working and above all a winner.

Mauro Silva on Dunga

Fast-forward 16 years and Dunga, the captain of that team, is the head coach of the Brazil squad looking to claim a sixth world title at South Africa 2010. And since taking the reins in 2006, the former midfielder has worked tirelessly to instil the same ideals of fighting spirit and teamwork that served so well in 1994.

“I don’t think I’ll ever see a squad with the same team spirit as that Seleção,” he said when interviewed in Johannesburg. “Back in 1994 we were subject to distrust, threats, controversy, criticism... it was almost inhuman. But the spirit, willpower and joie de vivre of that group was similar to the squad we have in 2010.”

From the pitch to the dugoutSuch similarities are inevitable, given that Dunga was very much a leader and on-the-field coach back in 1994. Moreover, accompanying him here at South Africa 2010 are two former team-mates of Dunga from that USA triumph in the shape of assistant coach Jorginho and recently appointed scout Claudio Taffarel.

“In every training drill and exercise I see a huge amount of commitment, and I saw that same level of desire in 1994: the determination that Dunga, Taffarel and I experienced first-hand", said Jorginho. “There are no egos, they all fight for each other. That was our strength back then (in 1994),” added Taffarel.

Another member of the class of 1994 currently in Johannesburg, working as a TV commentator, is Dunga’s former partner at the heart of A Seleção midfield: Mauro Silva. “Dunga’s already been there and done that. He’s already won the World Cup, he’s lifted the Trophy. So, he can say that ‘lads, this is the way to win it’, and nobody could doubt that he knows what he’s talking about,” he said in an exclusive interview with FIFA. “His (footballing) philosophy is a good reflection of his personality: he’s serious, hard-working and above all a winner.”

Indeed, the current Brazil squad will not have to look far for inspiration, as captain Lucio, of UEFA Champions League winners Inter Milan, explained: “It was at the exact moment that Dunga lifted the World Cup (in Los Angeles’ Rose Bowl) when I began dreaming of playing for the Seleção and being crowned world champions.”

Ronaldo: Don't count us out

On the eve of his country’s South Africa 2010 bow, Portugal’s captain is quietly confident. As his team finalised their preparations to face Côte d’Ivoire in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo toldFIFA that, while A Selecção das Quinas may not rank among the favourites, anything is possible with their fans behind them and their customary team spirit to call upon.

In an exclusive interview with FIFA, the Real Madrid stiker expressed his delight at having the chance to take part in Africa’s first FIFA World Cup™. For Ronaldo, the differences between South Africa 2010 and Germany 2006 are obvious: “Yes, of course it’s different. It’s the first World Cup ever played in Africa and more importantly we’re playing in winter. But ever since we arrived the experience has been fantastic and I think that’s the way it is going to be until the final game of the tournament.”

Ronaldo happily admitted that Carlos Queiroz’s squad is revelling in the atmosphere. “We’re all very happy to be here. A lot of our squad haven’t played in a World Cup before, and so they’re desperate to play. We’re also confident that we’re going to play well and give a very good account of ourselves. Fortunately everything is going well so far.”

In spite of his relatively tender age, the 25-year old is one of the most experienced members of the Portugal squad and he will have the honour of wearing the captain’s armband at the finals, something he considers a genuine privilege.  “What do you need to captain a team? Firstly, I think it’s important not to change what you do just because you’re captain, and above anything else, you have to be totally honest.

We’re not one of the favourites. But that doesn’t mean that a supposedly unfancied team can’t become world champions.

Cristiano Ronaldo

"Everyone has their own personality and character. I’ve got mine, and I don’t change who I am whether I’m captain or not. But of course, for me it is a privilege to be captain of Portugal. It makes me very proud. My team-mates know me very well, and I know them, and everything is going very well. There’s a great camaraderie in our squad, we’re great friends, and there’s a real family atmosphere. That’s the only way we can win and be successful.”

The Real Madrid talisman is one of world football’s biggest stars, and the focus of huge attention wherever he goes. The many thousands of people of Portuguese extraction who live in South Africa have offered him a hero's welcome, and Ronaldo is grateful for the reception he and his team-mates have been afforded. “Well, of course we knew that there were going to be lots of Portuguese here and that they would encourage the team and that makes us very happy," he said. "Having that little bit of extra backing when we’re on the pitch is crucial. And that’s why I would like to take the opportunity to thank the fans for all of their support so far.”

Naturally, those passionate Portuguese fans are dreaming of roaring their team towards FIFA World Cup™ glory. For his part, Ronaldo believes that his side are in with a genuine chance: “As I said before the finals, we’re not one of the favourites. But that doesn’t mean that a supposedly unfancied team can’t become world champions. I think that some of the teams at this World Cup have got a bit more about them than we have, and that’s no secret, but we’re going to fight all the way. We’re going to give it our best shot and if we do anything could happen.”

At the Portuguese helm is a coach who knows exactly what it takes to get to the summit of world football. Carlos Queiroz led his country to two FIFA U-20 World Cup titles, in 1989 and 1991, and his captain is quick to sing the praises of the man who will be hoping to repeat the trick with the senior side. “I got to know Carlos Queiroz a few years ago and fortunately for me I’ve had the pleasure and the privilege of working with him, firstly when I was at Manchester United and now with the national team. He has been crucial for my career because he has helped me to improve my style of play. I very much enjoy working with him.”

Not everything has gone smoothly for the Iberian side in the run-up to their FIFA World Cup opener. A shoulder injury robbed Manchester United winger Nani of the chance to play in the finals, and his former team-mate at Old Trafford will readily admit that he will miss his old friend, both on and off the pitch. “Nani was playing really well, he was in great form and obviously we’re going to miss him. Not only for what he can do on the pitch, but also because of his presence in the squad and the way that he would support his team-mates. He was a key player for us. Unfortunately he has picked up an injury and we’ve got some very good players who can take his place, but of course he will be a very big loss.”

One of the main talking points surrounding Portugal’s game with Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday has been the fitness of the Africans’ star striker Didier Drogba and more specifically whether he will recover from injury in time to play some part in the game. Portugal’s own superstar, however, is less concerned about whether Drogba plays or not because, as he says, Les Elephants are not a one-man team.

He said: “Everybody is only talking about Drogba, and whether he plays or not, but to be honest, we’re not really thinking about that. We’re only concerned with ourselves. We’re feeling good, we’re confident and ready to make a good start to the competition. If Drogba doesn’t play, someone else will take his place and so we have to be ready. We just need to focus on ourselves."

ZAMBROTTA: “CRITICISM HAS UNITED OUR GROUP EVEN MORE

http://www.figc.it/en/204/24995/2010/06/News.shtml
 Among other things, today, after the controversy of that past days sparked by a comment made by Minister Calderoli, it was officialized that part of the prize money for South Africa 2012 will be destined to the celebration of the 150 years of the unity of Italy. “The foundation for the celebrations of the unity of Italy has some budget problems – said Buffon and Cannavaro – and so since we are a symbol that unites the entire country we have decided: if we win prize money, each of us will contribute by giving a part of the prize, small or large, to highlight the importance of a united Italy.”

Japan squad leave for Game 1 venue

Japan’s World Cup squad left George for the venue of their opening game in Bloemfontein on Saturday morning and planned to have a tune-up session in the afternoon near the Free State Stadium.

The players enjoyed a full day-off on Friday, their first since they got together on May 21.
Japan, making their fourth straight appearance in the World Cup, will meet Cameroon in their opening match on June 14, before playing the Netherlands on June 19 in Durban and Denmark on June 24 in Rustenburg in Group E.

Italy begin their title defence

A cosmopolitan cast is preparing to light up the fourth matchday at the 2010 World Cup South Africa™. Following an all-European affair between the Netherlands and Denmark, Italy take on Paraguay in a Europe-South American showdown before Asian hopefuls Japan meet four-time African champions Cameroon.

The holders face a litmus test of their title credentials against a Guaraníes outfit who enter the tournament on the back of their best ever preliminary campaign, having racked up ten victories on the road to South Africa.

Another European contender hoping to keep up the momentum is the Netherlands. Unbeaten on the qualification trail, the Elftal have hit top gear since Bert van Marwijk replaced Marco van Basten in the driving seat. The former Feyenoord coach has injected a greater dose of pragmatism into the squad, helping them turn performances into points.

"It’s also important to learn to win without playing well," says Oranje centre-back Andre Ooijer. Meanwhile Denmark, the surprise winners of their qualifying group, seem to have taken a step back in their build-up matches, with the probable absence of Nicklas Bendtner is unlikely to help the Danish Dynamite make an explosive start.

In the second Group E skirmish Cameroon will attempt to notch their first ever victory over a Japan side which has defeated them twice, including once in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Both of these nations have struggled to hit their stride in warm-up games against fellow FIFA World Cup qualifiers. While Japan came away empty handed against Korea Republic, England and Côte d'Ivoire, the Indomitable Lions were held to a draw by Slovakia before shipping three goals in successive games against Portugal and Serbia.

The matchesThe Netherlands - Denmark, Group E, Johannesburg (Soccer City), 13:30
Japan - Cameroon, Group E, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, 16:00
Italy - Paraguay, Group F, Cape Town, 20:30

The big gameItaly – ParaguayThe defending champions start the tournament as underdogs after a lacklustre run-in to the finals. Nevertheless, with nine veterans from Germany 2006 and a clutch of talented young pretenders to bolster their ranks, La Nazionale look as solid as ever with a backbone consisting of FIFA World Cup winners Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Pirlo and Alberto Gilardino. The team’s laboured build-up is unlikely to trouble Marcello Lippi, who knows that the Azzurri tend to find their feet as the competition progresses.

The Tuscan-born tactician will nevertheless be wary of Paraguay, who are contesting their fourth consecutive finals with a squad which has come of age. Albirroja coach for the last three seasons, 47-year-old Argentinian Gerardo Martino has instilled some Italian-style consistency into his team, which relies on a watertight defence and lightning counter-attacks. It’s no coincidence that the Paraguayans dominated in beating both Brazil and Argentina on their way to the finals.

In focusFeyenoord - AjaxDuring Denmark’s encounter against the Netherlands, Danish forwards Jon Dahl Tomasson and Dennis Rommedahl will be reunited with their respective team-mates at Feyenoord and Ajax, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Gregory van der Wiel. The two Dutch wing-backs form part of an obdurate rearguard which conceded just two goals in eight matches during qualification. The tussle between Tomasson and Van Bronckhorst, two wily old foxes who have respectively notched up 107 and 97 caps, looks set to be particularly interesting.

What they said"If you want to survive in football, the best strategy is to attack. Our coach is always drumming it into us, he wants to see us play offensive football," Keisuke Honda, Japan playmaker