With A-League clubs beginning to convince the younger and fitter members of Australia’s golden generation to return to antipodean shores, the moves come with a warning from the country’s favourite penalty-taker, John Aloisi.

Aloisi, the first Australian to play in the all three major European leagues (with Cremonese, Coventry City and Osasuna), retired after one season at A-League new boys Melbourne Heart and did not have a happy homecoming after two years as Sydney FC’s marquee player. Even though he scored a creditable 27 goals in 75 A-League matches, his time in Australia has formed an unhappy coda to a wonderful career.

His experience has apparently convinced Australia custodian Mark Schwarzer never to return to the A-League. This is presumably because he “copped it” from non-football types who expect their superstar striker – which was what Aloisi was paid like, at least initially – to score more than four goals every ten games. With soccer, the general complaint of those who don’t follow it regularly is a relative lack of incident – and Australia have plenty of those fans. He was unable to bear the media and uneducated fan pressure which expected his building excitement around the league and his own play.

This is not his fault: he was the first striker from the 2006 World Cup squad to come home – Archie Thompson never left – and arrived in town at an age where his pace and skills were beginning to decline. Many of the expectations were not only unrealistic, but fantastical.

The A-League has garnered significant publicity for a fledgling competition, and in a country where it’s very much the fifth sport (or worse), it’s only natural that attention falls on those players with the greatest reputations and past achievements. That much of the publicity surrounding John Aloisi (and his less-gifted, more brutal younger brother Ross) was more negative than positive (language warning) has apparently left Aloisi – now the manager of Heart’s youth team – feeling like it’s important to shoo his Socceroo teammates away.

He’s now warned Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell that they face playing with lesser teammates. This, combined with his almost vicarious words through Schwarzer, makes him the opposite of what he was paid for in Sydney and Melbourne – an anti-advertisement for Australia’s premier football competition. His words – though almost certainly true – aren’t constructive.

He is of course free to give his opinions – and some of his observations are astute. Kewell and Emerton are likely to be frustrated by some of the circumstances surrounding football in Australia. Both, however, are aware of any potential pitfalls, but have been offered terms (or family benefits) which can’t be found elsewhere. Given his propensity for a life under the microscope, Kewell may find the going especially tough, while the reserved Emerton looks a virtual certainty to succeed at Sydney FC.

By making statements such as these while being engaged to develop youth talent mixes his messages and he hasn’t offered the A-League up as an enticing option for Australians or any other big names looking for a final payday. In fact, given his role in youth development at Heart (eeugh) he may be in the medium term, minimising his own future employment prospects.

The A-League is a flawed league – as are most, especially where football is not the nation’s primary sport. Australia relies on big name players to generate interest in football between World Cup campaigns. It is simple enough for Aloisi to say as such, rather than elucidating further. He should inform his teammates and friends of what they should expect to encounter in a private, rather than a public forum.

According to Henry Ford, should a person be satisfied with a purchased service, they will tell a maximum of three people; if they are dissatisfied, they will tell a minimum of seven. Aloisi is following that rule of thumb. Bad publicity now outweighs the A-League’s success stories in the national press. Further sideways aspersions from Aloisi is press attention the league can ill afford.

Matthew Wood writes regularly for Soccerlens.  You can find more of his commentary and analysis at Balanced Sports or follow him on Twitter @balanced_sports

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The Socceroos’ upcoming World Cup campaign looks on firm ground. This morning’s friendly against Wales showed the evident class of both sides’ top players, but a workmanlike Australia were the superior team against a side whose Premier League pedigree belies it’s FIFA ranking of 119.

Up front, Tim Cahill and Scott McDonald (remember him?) pulled the strings for the Socceroos, while for extended periods the Aussies were able to nullify Wales’ influential wide men Craig Bellamy and Gareth Bale.

McDonald, who still hasn’t scored after 26 Socceroo caps, has never been faulted for effort in Australian gold and this was again the case today. He was busy up front and with Tim Cahill had a role to play in both goals. Given his 5’9 frame, leading the line in what amounted to a 4-4-1-1 hardly accentuated his gifts, but he regularly puts in Tevez-like endeavour, if without the pursuant goals.

More encouragement took the form of the central midfield matchup, where Neil Kilkenny of local Bristol City and Serie B’s best bargain, Carl Valeri, more than matched the talent and experience of Aaron Ramsey and David Vaughn respectively.

It was hardly an exquisite spectacle – more an unkempt tussle in which the Australians collected themselves more quickly than their opposition. They pulled away when perpetually underrated right-back Luke Wilkshire first thundered a long-range shot against Wayne Hennessey’s upright and minutes later delivered a pinpoint cross that Cahill powered into the bottom right corner.

He also curtailed Welsh WMD Bale, while the less experienced combination of Matt McKay and Michael Zullo were able to somewhat negate Bellamy’s influence on the left. When Wilkshire was pulled at half time, the opposition flankers were far more able to shape the game.

As The Age’s Michael Lynch has pointed out on Twitter, the blend of youth and experience should hearten the Green and Gold army.

The team is defensively sound, with Michael Zullo, Matthew Spiranovic and Rhys Williams all impressing. Williams’ presence was impressive, while Spiranovic made a habit of being in the right place at the right time. Matt McKay, though unlikely to have damaged his prospects of moving to Rangers, showed again some David Carney-esque tendencies at left back: good going forward, but was often beaten for pace and lateral movement by (very good ‘uns) Craig Bellamy and Bale.

It was after Zullo, Wilkshire and Neill had all been withdrawn that a miscommunication at a set piece left Wales right-back Darcy Blake alone to score.

All appears positive for the Socceroos behind the ball. The midfield, though for the meantime shorn of the class of Bresciano and Kewell, is bustling, harrying and athletic. It is only going forward that the Socceroos don’t have a good mix of experience and exuberance. When Robbie Kruse put home the rebound from a McDonald’s shot, it served to contrast his fortunes with those of McDonald: when the Middlesbrough man scores his first Socceroo goal, it must be written that the earth will open and swallow him whole.

There is hope in Kruse’s ability to find the net and McDonald’s endeavour can begin to capitalise on delivery which has improved markedly since Osieck took over from Pim Verbeek. The team is still disconcertingly reliant on attacking midfielders Cahill and Holman to score. But this, after the Germany matches and a valiant Asian Cup, is encouragement enough for now.

Matthew Wood regularly contributes to Soccerlens.  You can find more of his analysis and commentary at Balanced Sports, or follow him on Twitter @balanced_sports.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Harry Kewell.

A show-pony. A drama queen. The best football player to come out of Australia.

Just the mention of his name prompts the football fan to offer their opinions. It’s impossible not to, given his remarkably high-profile successes and failures. The recent debate over a possible move to the Australian A-League has once more forced even the non-football fans to choose a side of the fence – for or against Harry.

The move didn’t materialise amidst reports Kewell’s salary demands were met by the A-League’s biggest two clubs, Sydney FC and the Melbourne Victory, but his requests to the Football Federation Australia (who administer the league) were not. Those demands allegedly included a percentage of the gate for increased attendances his appearance likely would encourage. His manager Bernie Mandic last week nixed any possible return to Australia, saying 32 year-old Kewell would pursue further European opportunities.

The reaction from Joe Public was almost overwhelmingly negative, prompting the hashtag #KewellALeagueDemands to trend on Twitter as amateur wits made increasingly ludicrous requests. Australians, never the most patient or forgiving of peoples, have very little time for “it’s all about me” types. It was taken in fun by Kewell and his wife Sheree Murphy, but still exemplifies the scorn such demand generated.

And more than any other combination of four words – more even than “Injury plagued Aussie footballer” the words “It’s all about me”, define Harry Kewell. At seventeen he was the darling of the Australian soccer community with two goals in the World Cup qualifying playoff loss to Iran (hardly an upset as the partisan video suggets), he married the soap-star princess and played, sorry, rehabbed for one of the world’s great clubs, Liverpool, in a country where the cult of celebrity is worshipped by many above almost all else.

How else would you describe him after his comments concerning a galling red card in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa? “The guy has killed my World Cup” doesn’t reflect his unavailability despite an obvious important role for the Socceroos, but how it affects Harry. Mandic shouldn’t be blamed for his role and neither should Kewell – Mandic is just doing his job, while as a football-hungry public demanded identification, home-grown Harry was our best association with the World Game and thus the unholy combination of Australian expectation/respect and English tabloids created the persona Harry Kewell now proffers.

Who are we to blame a young(ish) man for wanting it all? A family life AND a well-paid football career – sound familiar? It should, because it’s nearly exactly the same situation as the latest Carlos Tevez dilemma, only in reverse. Kewell is content with family life – indeed, Australia would be preferable to Turkey, Russia or even Germany – but isn’t able to meet his financial demands. And while Tevez’s constant “Look at Carlos” act has worn thin and his methods are dubious, Harry’s act is walking a similarly fine line.

By asking for a percentage of any increased gate takings, Harry Kewell and Bernie Mandic are asking for a degree of responsibility that few have shouldered in the fledgling competition. Indeed, while Archie Thompson, Nicky Carle and most notably Robbie Fowler have tried to lift the competition on their shoulders, only Dwight Yorke has managed to do so successfully. The combination of responsibility doesn’t usually rest well on the shoulders of someone whose first priority – and he’s hardly alone in this – is himself.

In a business based on exposure, both Kewell and Tevez benefit from their profiles; Tevez also so through his talent. Harry Kewell has become the object of scorn because his profile appeals to a much smaller population: that of Australia, England and possibly Turkey. It is only right he should seek the best deal for himself within that market.

And the FFA is perfectly within it’s rights to refuse to accommodate those demands. Partly because even Kewell’s salary would further imperil already-struggling A-League teams and therefore further payments based on increased attendance would make even less fiscal sense. It just isn’t good business for Ben Buckley and his offsiders and so the likelihood is you’ll see Harry next pop up in the hoops of Celtic, Queens Park Rangers or Kayserispor.

It’s almost certain that Harry Kewell will perform a valedictory tour in the A-League, displaying as a marquee player some of that dazzle which won him so many admirers so long ago. It would be good business sense to do so – but not for another contract period or so, while bigger dollars, less expectation and better competition await. With those business aspects kept firmly in mind, the chances of Harry Kewell joining the A-League this year were never great, but the publicity certainly was.

Matthew Wood regularly contributes to Soccerlens.  Shoot across to his blog, Balanced Sports for more commentary and analysis, or follow him on Twitter @balanced_sports

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The Hyundai A-League – and by extension, the Football Federation of Australia – reels from one crisis to another. If it’s not declining crowd numbers, owners threatening to close stands rather than see empty seats, franchises folding, disastrous World Cup bids (corruption or not) or even stars entering fan forums, then it’s clubs failing to take advantage of the league’s generous marquee player policy.

Of course most of these problems can be traced back to one thing – A-League clubs are struggling to make ends meet. Football ranks a clear fourth on the Australian football consciousness behind Australian Rules, Rugby League and Rugby Union. Therefore the sport tends to pick up hard core fans, bandwagon supporters leftover from World Cups and the occasional family based around a growing number of Soccer Mums. This is to be expected however, having remained unchanged for five yeras – and the sport, though not making quantum leaps in popularity, forms a much greater part in the nation’s sporting psyche.

The A-League now allows each club three marquee players, ostensibly top-end guys whose wages are not counted towards a team’s salary cap: an International Marquee player, a Marquee Australian and a Marquee Youth player. These rules exist in theory to both lure top end talent and protect young assets. While this is a generous format, the FFA (who administer the A-League) does not contribute to the players’ salaries, the result of this being A-League clubs draw five to ten-thousand fans per match are forced to pay players like Sergio Van Dijk, Robbie Fowler and his Perth Glory replacement Liam Miller serious dollars.

In business, organisations must almost always spend money to make it. It’s the way the world works – wise investment brings about fiscal rewards and peace of mind. It was thus when Dwight Yorke signed for Sydney FC for the A-League’s first campaign – he signed for the lifestyle, found the football to his liking, led Sydney to the A-League title and secured a move back to the English Premier League with Sunderland. It was coincidence that he (along with the Victory’s Archie Thompson) was the first big name to join, but he is now the A-League’s definitive Marquee Player and the benchmark – for better or worse – by which all subsequent imports are judged.

Yorke’s situation was the perfect combination of circumstance: famously involved in a big club (Manchester United), with a sparkling, eloquent public profile and due to Trinidad & Tobago’s 2006 World Cup campaign, still with reasons to perform other than personal pride. That Manchester United connection created a 10% increase in crowds across the league – Yorke was a man the crowds came to watch. Subsequent marquee signings like Robbie Fowler haven’t had the same impact either on the pitch or as a league ambassador.

Approaching the A-League’s seventh season, the ten clubs employ a grand total of Three Junior Marquee players, four Australian Marquee players and two (!) international “stars” – New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz and former Dutch U21 International Van Dijk. The Australian Marquee players are Archie Thompson, Mile Sterjovski, Nicky Carle and Jason Culina. Culina perhaps aside, it’s difficult – impossible, even – to see any of those six transferring to a high-level club abroad.

Could Kejman help revitalise the A-League?

The marquee player must in future be modeled on Dwight Yorke. He shouldn’t be the only prototype as South Americans also could well check the requisite boxes, but it must be remembered antipodean crowds have a far greater knowledge of European football than the Samba style (no, not Christopher). Not only must such a player sparkle on the pitch, but he must be able to provide a lift to the league in the media.

Some players linked to out-of-cap positions – like Harry Kewell – could perform those functions; others however, most notably Serb striker Mateja Kežman, are a risky proposition. Melbourne in particular has a large Slavic population and could provide a slight bump in local crowds but club executives must ask themselves if a player such as serial-mover Kežman could warrant such spendthrift expenditure – does his one season at Chelsea, four at PSV and cups of coffee at Fenerbahce, PSG and Atletico really provide the league-wide PR lift the A-League so desperately needs? While his age and skills could well justify the salary slot he’d take up, would his name inspire the Rugby League fan to join? Or the AFL nut?

Australian soccer consciousness, so far increased since the magical 2006 World Cup, is still really in its infancy. It is so far behind that, for better or worse, it takes big names, not just quality footballers, to get the alert sporting landscape to attend. And with the local clubs haemmorhaging money, is it in fact prudent to spend $40,000AUD a week on a player not a “sure thing”?

The FFA must step in and contribute. Perhaps it could facilitate local teams signing the fading superstars of the game, if only on one-season deals. Though the game’s governing body is skint from a highly unsuccessful World Cup hosting bid, contributing a small percentage of an international marquee player’s salary to each team strictly for that purpose could be an option.

While Australian “marquee” players aid the competition, the league now understands it is names who will grow the sport. Of Australians, only Kewell could fit that bill. It takes money to make money and as abhorrent as spending more money sounds to leaky propositions such as Central Coast and the Gold Coast, prudent investment may be the best way forward.

Would Roberto Carlos, Alessandro Del Piero, Shunsuke Nakamura or even Theofanis Gekas be interested in a final payday? Even though Clarence Seedorf and Florent Malouda have suggested a desire to play in Brazil, both have the requisite stature and ability for them to be attractive targets for Aussie clubs. Perhaps with all six the answer would be negative, but certainly they would be players of whom League chiefs should be aware.

The A-League is a good league. By inspiring the masses – and cashing in on their attendance – it can become very good.

For more commentary and analysis, shoot across to Matthew Wood’s blog, Balanced Sports. You can also follow him on Twitter; @balanced_sports.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Recently the Republic of Ireland has made headlines for attempting to bolster their national team ranks as it becomes known players such as Jamie O’Hara, Marc Wilson and Jermaine Pennant are eligible – and perhaps welcome – to play for Ireland.

Portsmouth’s Liam Lawrence recently suggested that such players, though maybe encouraged by the FAI and manager Giovanni Trapattoni, would not be as warmly received in the dressing room as the coach’s box. The Portsmouth winger suggested that it wasn’t necessarily the decision to switch allegiances which irritated Irish players – he did so himself – but more comments made by on-the-fence players – as if they were evaluating two companies vying for the same contract.

And Lawrence’s stance is fair enough: with Pennant saying “I’m not getting any younger and I want to play international football, whether it’s with England or Ireland … I’d love to play for England but it’s just never happened”, his words make it seem his first preference is to play for England and his second would be to pull on the green of Ireland. To Lawrence, it could sound extremely selfish – as if he, his teammates and country appear to be the ugly friend at the disco. Pennant’s comments make it sound like he is focusing only on himself.

Because one’s nationality and patriotism are such complex issues, this issue is always going to be a murky one. It would be difficult (and morally dubious) to judge a player’s motives for choosing a national setup; but the lesson from Pennant’s words and Lawrence’s reaction is the value of tact. “Pennant for Ireland” is purely player-driven.  He understandably wants to experience the international stage and isn’t going to shy away from saying so.  His words though, could have been thought through more carefully.

There is, however, no question that the International spectrum is much the richer for having multicultural football teams. One of the World Cup’s greatest ever goalscorers, Miroslav Klose, was eligible both for Poland and Germany – as was his forward partner Lukas Podolski. Australia owes much of it’s growing footballing presence to players who have had dual nationalities: In fact, during the 2006 World Cup in Germany the group match between Australia and Croatia featured seven Australians eligible to play for Croatia and three Croats players who, when faced when the same decision, went the other way.

Australia seems to have both benefited and lost, however, as both Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgios Samaras were eligible for the Socceroos yet opted for Portugal and Greece respectively.

There appears to be very little that FIFA can do to stop players hemming-and-hawing about which country to play for. The rule on changing or selecting nationalities (pg 62), as it stands, is perhaps imperfect or not all-inclusive, but it is also probably the best available.  Resolution to this issue shouldn’t have to come from legislation, however, but from the players: playing for your country should be an honour, rather than an obligation or even an added perk.

When new Scot Phil Bardsley speaks of his and his family’s justifiable pride at his Scotland call-ups – the words stir the inner patriot. Jermaine Pennant’s, while it’s fair he wants to experience international football, seem a little thoughtless. International football is without doubt better off for having players strutting their stuff for the country of their choice and it is right to let a player choose his nationality.

Let’s not hang Pennant for wanting to play internationally, but Lawrence’s words ring true: when on the fence, or the outside looking in, it’s probably best not to say much.

For more analysis and opinion from Matthew Wood, visit Balanced Sports.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Welcome to Fergie Time, a roundup/newsletter type deal that delivers news, opinion and links directly to your screen. As the name suggests, there will be some exaggeration, nsfw moments, canceled press conferences (oh, who are we kidding) and late, late, late scoring of points. You’ll like it, trust me.

AT LEAST ENGLAND DIDN’T LOSE ON PENALTIES:

World Cup 2018 will be in Russia. World Cup 2022 will be in Qatar. Is it me, or do those two sentences look wrong? Like maybe I’ve mis-spelled the words “England” and “USA” very very badly. But those are the facts. Russia and Qatar were the winners, and England were very much the losers, going out in the first round of voting with just two votes. One of which came from Geoff Thompson, who is English.

I’ll say this for England’s performance in the World Cup bidding process: It was a perfect recreation of England’s actual World Cup performances. We had a lot of big names and went with over-inflated expectations and egos, only to be distracted by a media scandal and then be shell-shocked after exiting proceedings sooner than expected. It’s time that England fans faced the cold hard facts: English political operators just lack the technique and flair of their foreign rivals. The only way forward is to invest in youth, and get the next generation practicing fake smiles, hearty handshakes and discreet bribery from an early age.

England may be hurting, but English football will actually be just fine without hosting the World Cup in Milton Keynes. Losing the bid was a much bigger deal for the USA and Australia, countries where the beautiful game still has some developing to do in terms of national popularity. A World Cup on home soil would have gone a long way to raising football’s profile in either country, both short-term and long-term.

I’m also personally disappointed that Japan didn’t get World Cup 2022, if only because I would have loved to see them try and deliver on their futuristic technological promises of broadcasting live holographic versions of World Cup games around the world, and fans equipped with real-time Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy-esque translators so anyone could talk to anyone. Though I suspect Japan may be secretly relieved, because now they don’t have to work out how to make good on any of the things they fake-invented for the bid.

But yes, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. Those are the facts, so get used to them people.

PODCAST:

The 3 Up Front crew discuss the two biggest stories in English football right now. The World Cup 2018 shellacking, and of course snoods. Listen to episode 16 and then subscribe via iTunes for more.

EL THRASHICO:

The other big football news this week happened not behind closed doors, but out on a football pitch where everyone could see. Though in hindsight, Real Madrid would have preferred El Clasico took place somewhere private, because Barcelona absolutely wrecked them. Five nil, and Real were lucky to get nil.

I have never, ever, in all my days seen one top class team so thoroughly dismantled by another. Barcelona held possession and tac-tac-tacced the ball around endlessly, pausing only to break through Real Madrid’s comedy defence and score. I say comedy because Ramos, Carvalho, Pepe and Marcelo seemed to take the phrase “flat-back-four” 100% literally. Iker Casillas did not get the joke.

AWARDS:

Most Off-Target Shot: Belonged to Manchester United’s John O’Shea, who received the ball on the edge of the West Ham’s area, but somehow put it out for a throw-in near the halfway line. Miraculous.

Most Violent Celebration: Bari’s Francesco Caputo, who got over-excited after scoring the equalizer against Cesena in Serie A and punched teammate Emmanuel Rivas in the face..

Worst Team in Britain: Cornish village team Madron FC, who recently lost a game 55-0 and then spoke to the newspapers about it. Maybe they should line up some easier opposition. Like Real Madrid.

THE ACTUAL SOCCERLENS AWARDS:

The nominees for the real Soccerlens Awards have been revealed. Click on over there to vote for your favourite website/podcast/journalist and so on. The polls are open until December 20th.

FANTASY FOOTBALL:

Week 16 of the the Soccerlens Fantasy Football Game is coming. To be in with a chance of winning the weekly prize money, just pick your XI and enter.

FINALLY, DON’T FORGET:

Fergie Time is only a small part of the Soccerlens experience. You can also follow us on Twitter, find us on Facebook, watch us on YouTube and subscribe to our RSS.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

A very good day to you all, and welcome to the daily World Cup column here on Soccerlens.

It seems England may have a certain brand of beer to thank for the upturn in their World Cup fortunes after all.

Apparently coach Fabio Capello decided that the only way to get his team up and running was to allow them to have a skinful the night before the Slovenia game – and, you know what, it looked like it may have worked! (Can you imagine the resultant media sh*tstorm if it hadn’t?)

Here’s the best of this morning’s World Cup news…

(If you would like to subscribe to this column  – and others like it on Soccerlens – then please feel free to follow this link, or you can also just enter your email address on the SL homepage.)

Slovenia 0-1 England…

At long last England stamped some sort of authority on the World Cup with a dominant, high-tempo performance that saw them register the deceptively narrow win they needed to see them progress through to the last 16.

After limp performances in their first two Group C games, England were under pressure to finally click into gear. Any lingering doubts were scotched early on as Fabio Capello ushered his side forward, tearing Slovenia apart with the kind of quick, dynamic passing that had been sorely lacking against the US and Algeria.

The deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute when James Milner whipped a dangerous cross into the six-yard box from wide on the right and Jermaine Defoe turned the ball in – thus marking his first World Cup start with a first World Cup goal.

The goal injected even more fervour into the England attack, who pinned Slovenia back into their own half for much of the opening 45 minutes and really should have added a second or third to their tally before the break.

Samir Handanovic put in an impressive shift in the Slovenian goal, producing some fine saves by blocking goal-bound efforts from Steven Gerrard and John Terry and by touching Wayne Rooney‘s scuffed shot onto the post from point-blank range.

As the second half wore on, Slovenia began to find their feet and first Terry, then Glen Johnson had to produce stout blocks to repel two quick-fire efforts from Milijvoje Novakovic before young striker Tim Matavz was denied a dramatic late equaliser due to a heroic last-ditch tackle by England centre-back Matthew Upson.

Wayne Rooney was taken off as a precautionary measure with twenty minutes to play after taking the striker took a knock to the ankle and was replaced by Joe Cole, who received a rapturous welcome upon his arrival.

The last fifteen minutes were tense for both teams.

Slovenia pressed forward as England merely looked to run down the clock, instead of putting the tie beyond doubt – however, some secure handling from David James coupled with some truly fantastic ball-retention work by James Milner saw Capello’s men hang on to their thoroughly-deserved three points.

Highlights…

Read the Slovenia v England match summary.

USA 1-0 Algeria…

USA succeeded where England had failed five days previous, by beating Algeria to book their place in the knock-out stages of the World Cup – despite being on the brink of elimination from the tournament for over 91 minutes.

A 92nd minute, stoppage-time winner from US hero Landon Donovan put Bob Bradley‘s men through, the LA Galaxy winger smashing home after Clint Dempsey‘s close-range effort was repelled by Algerian ‘keeper Rais M’Bolhi.

Algeria were reduced to ten men late in the game when captain Anther Yahia was sent off for picking up a second caution, but the Desert Foxes had long since given up on playing for pride – knowing that even a win wouldn’t see them progress from the group stages.

Donovan’s goal was enough to push England into second place in the Group C standings on goal difference but, with the final Group D table still to have been finalised, it was unclear as to which side that favoured.

Highlights…

Read the USA v Algeria match report.

Australia 2-1 Serbia…

A dominant second half performance from Australia was enough to see that Serbia were knocked out of the World Cup, but unfortunately it couldn’t save the Socceroos from suffering the same fate.

A trademark bounding header from Tim Cahill (restored to the side after serving a one match ban) in the 69th minute and a long-range strike from Brett Holman just four minutes later buoyed Australia’s optimism and they piled forward in search of the two further goals they required to move above Ghana into second place in Group D.

However, as the final whistle loomed, Pim Verbeek‘s side saw their slim hopes of advancing to the last 16 effectively ended when Marko Pantelic reacted quickly to stab home, after Mark Schwarzer had fumbled Zoran Tosic‘s speculative effort, to pull a goal back for the Serbians.

In the end, both sides were left to rue poor results in earlier games – Australia, in particular, paying for their heavy 4-0 defeat to Germany in their opening game – as neither managed to make it past the group stage.

Highlights…

Read the Australia v Serbia match report.

Ghana 0-1 Germany…

Joachim Loew‘s men set up a mouth-watering last 16 tie with England this coming Sunday, after managing to overcome Ghana in a thoroughly entertaining game in Johannesburg last night.

A beautiful strike from rising star Mesut Ozil was the difference between the two teams, the Werder Bremen midfielder lashing a half-volley past Richard Kingson from the edge of the area on the hour mark.

The pulsating match was open and expansive throughout, with Ghana wasting their fair share of opportunities to edge themselves in front and, after Ozil scored for Germany, pull themselves back level – with tournament top-scorer Asamoah Gyan going close on a couple of occasions when he perhaps should have made more of his chances.

Germany held on to their lead pragmatically with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira working tirelessly all night to screen their defense.

At the final whistle, there was still an air of uncertainty emanating from the Ghanaian camp as they waited for news from Nelspruit (Australia vs Serbia) to filter through – but the Black Stars soon realised that they had done enough to book their place in the knock-out phase.

Highlights…

Read the Ghana v Germany match report.

[Inset lager brand here] don’t do teamtalks…

England Coach Fabio Capello has revealed the secret behind his side’s rejuvenation against Slovenia yesterday was to let players enjoy a pint or two the night before. How very English!

After lacklustre displays in their first two Group C games, Capello’s men finally came alive last night with a spirited performance in Port Elizabeth and the Italian gaffer was delighted with the manner in which his side rediscovered their enthusiasm;

“Yesterday evening they drank beer before the game and I saw the team play with the spirit that we lost in the games we played before this game. The performance was really good and we created a lot of chances to score a second goal.

This is the spirit that I remember when we played in the qualification games. I am really happy with the performance of the team.

We played hard, we attacked the ball and this is important if we want to win.”

If they play that well after a couple of jars, then I’d seriously consider letting them all get completely twangoed before the Germany game!

Henry to meet Sarkozy…

Striker Thierry Henry will meet French president Nicolas Sarkozy at the presidential palace L’Elysee later today, to discuss the national team’s disastrous World Cup campaign.

A statement from L’Elysee read;

“Henry called the president from South Africa to tell him that he wanted to see him on his return.”

I can’t imagine what they’d have to talk about – except maybe the fact that Les Bleus finished bottom of their group with only a single goal and point to their names….

Oh! And the fact that Nicolas Anelka was sent home after launching a foul-mouthed tirade at coach Raymond Domenech…

And the fact that the entire squad refused to train and also threatened to boycott their final game in protest over the FFF’s treatment of Anelka…

Actually, there was that thing about captain Patrice Evra going AWOL from a press conference after being told he couldn’t tell reporters the truth…

And…and…and…

Stat attack…

• New Zealand have managed just three shots on target during the World Cup so far, but have scored with two of them.

• Until yesterday’s round of fixtures, there had been a red card issued in every single Group D game.

Algeria’s Saifi ‘slapped female journalist’…

A female journalist has claimed that Algerian forward Rafik Saifi ‘slapped her’ as he left the pitch after the Desert Foxes were knocked out of the World Cup by the USA last night.

Reporter Asma Halimi, who works for Algerian newspaper Competition, told the BBC World Service;

“I was waiting for the Algerian players. When Saifi came I just moved away. I felt a hit.

I will make a complaint with FIFA and with the police.”

The incident was witness by the BBC World Service’s Richard Connelly, who seemed to think that the animosity between Saifi and Halimi dates back to last year when the latter published a less-than-favourable article about the Algerian player;

“Rafik Saifi slapped the face of journalist Asma Halifi, she hit him back as a reflex.

He then threw a bottle of sports drink which missed and had to be restrained from attacking her again.

Saifi took exception to an interview that she translated and published in her newspaper, there was a similar incident between the two last year.

She’s going to complain formally to FIFA and to the police later on tonight.”

I’d suggest that they just kiss and make up, but he’d probably end up headbutting her.

Drumming up support?

Here’s the Portugal squad indulging in a little bit of rhythmic team-bonding.

Deco is taking it FAR too seriously (eyes closed!) and Simao just doesn’t want to know!

Quote of the day…

“There’s a great history of England versus Germany so this is going to be a wonderful opportunity.”

Did Germany coach Joachim Loew just mention the war? I think he got away with it.

And in other news…

France coach Raymond Domenech will not be charged by FIFA for refusing to shake hands with his South Africa counterpart Carlos Alberto Parreira after the two teams met on Tuesday. (Guardian)

Despite limping off the field yesterday, England striker Wayne Rooney is expected to be fit for his country’s second round showdown with Germany on Sunday. (Telegraph)

Soccerlens Fantasy Football…

Soccerlens Fantasy Football gives you the option to go against friends and fellow competitors over a day’s games.

This means that you should pick your fantasy team from players involved in the games happening on that specific day. It also gives you the option of picking your fantasy team with the players you might be more familiar with.

Either way, it’s fast and action packed. So pick the specific round(s) you want to join from the home-page and join a competition!

You can also challenge your friends over a specific round by creating a private competition

Today’s (Thursday 24th June) round is as follows:

• Denmark vs Japan

• Cameroon vs Netherlands

• Slovakia vs Italy

• Paraguay vs New Zealand

Give it a go and you may come away with a cash prize!

The 2010 World Cup on Soccerlens…

There will be comprehensive coverage of the World Cup on Soccerlens over the coming months.

With the dedicated World Cup section (chock full of info, including fixtures and stats – and even links to buy replica shirts) on SL, there really is no need to go anywhere else for your World Cup needs this summer!

You can even follow us on Twitter and Facebook if you’re that way inclined.

Also on Soccerlens…

• Foreign Managers: Right Or Wrong?

• Soccerlens World Cup Podcast: Foreign Gaffers, Uruguay’s Prospects and Yakubu’s Howler!

• The Day The U.S Got Through

• Are The English Fans Behind England?

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Australia 2-1 Serbia
2010 FIFA World Cup
23 June 2010

Australia secured their first win of the 2010 World Cup but it wouldn’t be enough as they missed out on the knockout stage. The Socceroos opening 0-4 loss to Germany proved to be the difference as they were behind second place Ghana on goal difference.

Serbia would get some great chances in the first half but Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer made some key saves to keep it scoreless. In the second half, the Aussies would score two goals in a four minute span to give them a chance at the knockout stage. The goals were from Tim Cahill in the 69th minute and Brett Holman in the 73rd minute.

Australia still needed a few more goals to make up the goal difference with Ghana but couldn’t find them. Serbia would make it even tougher by cutting the lead in half in the 84th minute with a Marko Pantelica goal.

Both sides were eliminated with the result. Serbia will be disappointed after getting a win against Germany but losing to the two other sides. Australia would have had a chance if they would earned a draw or conceded fewer goals against Germany.

Australia 2-1 Serbia Goal Videos

Australia 1-0 Serbia – (Cahill) 69′

Australia 2-0 Serbia – (Holman) 73′

Australia 2-1 Serbia – (Pantelic) 84′

See all2010 World Cup Video Highlights.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

And lo, we find ourselves face-to-face once more. Welcome, friends, to the daily World Cup column on Soccerlens.

It would appear that, despite bravely limiting Mexico to only two goals the other night, all is not well within the French World Cup squad.

Raymond Domenech‘s charges are falling apart at the seams, with Nicolas Anelka now on his way back home following a leaked spat with his coach and captain Patrice Evra determined to weed out the ‘Deepthroat’ within the group (in a ‘Watergate’ sense, rather than…y’know…) – although the Manchester United man has already ruled out the involvement of small mammals (see below).

(If you would like to subscribe to this column  – and others like it on Soccerlens – then please feel free to follow this link, or you can also just enter your email address on the SL homepage.)

Netherlands 1-0 Japan…

In the same unconvincing manner in which they saw off Denmark in their opening game, Bert Van Marwijk‘s men produced yet another workmanlike display to secure a slim victory over Japan  – a win that would later see them qualify for the second round when Cameroon failed to beat Denamrk.

The well-drilled Japanese side nullified their Dutch opponents’ obvious attacking threat during a fairly featureless first-half, as Wesley Sneijder and company struggled to settle into any discernible rhythm – with most of their possession being confined to innocuous areas of the pitch.

As half-time drew closer the Dutch began to become visibly frustrated, with Rob Van Persie becoming increasingly isolated up front. As such, Japan went in at the break the happier team having enjoyed a prolonged spell of relative dominance.

However, the Dutch began the second half with renewed vigour and took the lead in the 52nd minute when Sneijder blasted a shot past Eiji Kawashima – the Japanese ‘keeper failing to react in time to deflect the drive anywhere else but into the far corner of his goal.

The Netherlands continued to press, with substitutes Eljero Elia and Ibrahim Affelay providing some impressive sparks of creativity as the game wore on.

However it was Japan who had the best chance to score, Shinji Okazaki sailing his shot over the bar when he seemed better placed to at least test Maarten Stekenlenburg.

Highlights…

Read the Netherlands v Japan match report.

Ghana 1-1 Australia…

Despite taking an early lead, Australia were forced to fight tooth and nail to end the game on level terms, after being forced to play for almost 70 minutes with only ten men.

After being soundly thrashed by Germany in their opening fixture the Socceroos were looking to make amends, and took an 11th minute lead when midfielder Brett Holman was quick to capitalise on a goalkeeping error – pouncing on the rebound when Richard Kingson failed to deal with Mark Bresciano‘s tame free-kick.

However, just 15 minutes later Harry Kewell saw red for deliberately keeping Jonathan Mensah‘s goal-bound effort from crossing the line with his arm. The former Liverpool winger felt sure that the shot had hit his chest and even pleaded with the referee to watch the replay that was being screened on the stadium’s big screen, but the Italian official Roberto Rosetti had already (quite rightly) made up his mind.

Asamoah Gyan dispatched the resultant penalty with minimum fuss, there-by doubling his goal tally at this summer’s tournament after also scoring from the spot in Ghana’s opening game win over Japan.

The Black Stars’ inexperience then began to show as they failed to take advantage of their numerical advantage, resorting to speculative long-range efforts rather than using their extra man to create opportunities – although Mark Schwarzer did have to be at his best to repel efforts from Kevin-Prince Boateng and Gyan respectively.

Highlights…

Read the Ghana v Australia match summary.

Cameroon 1-2 Denmark…

The Africans became the first country to be mathematically dumped out of the World Cup after Denmark came from a goal down to win what turned out to be a thoroughly entertaining game in Pretoria.

Denmark have made it through the group stages in all three of their previous World Cup appearances and Morten Olsen‘s side look likely to continue that streak – with a win against Japan in their next game enough to see them advance from Group E along with Holland.

Cameroon took the lead with only ten minutes on the clock, Samuel Eto’o (who had been restored to a central striking role) eventually profiting on Christian Poulsen‘s defensive error after Pierre Webo intercepted the Dane’s telegraphed square pass and played in the Inter Milan goal machine.

The aging Scandinavians rallied and got themselves back on even ground when Dennis Rommedahl collected Simon Kjaer‘s exemplary cross-field pass, flew past his marker and fired the ball across the goal mouth for Nicklas Bendtner to slide in at the far post.

Both teams had good chances to end the half a goal to the good, but Jon Dahl Tomasson saw his effort blocked by Alex Song and Eto’o struck a post following a frenzied scramble in the Danish box.

15 minutes into the second half Denmark eventually took the lead when the impressive Rommedahl, who struggled to make an impression during his time in England with Charlton Athletic, skipped inside Jean Makoun and curled a shot into the far corner past the despairing dive of Hamidou Souleymanou.

The Indomitable Lions (a fairly ironic moniker in hindsight) almost equalised late on but Christian Poulsen put his boyish good looks on the line to block Vincent Aboubakar‘s powerful shot with his face.

Highlights…

Read the Cameroon v Denmark match report.

‘Le Sulk’ flies home…

France striker Nicolas Anelka has been sent home from the World Cup after refusing to apologise to coach Raymond Domenech for an expletive-filled half-time rant during Les Bleus‘ defeat at the hands of Mexico.

The temperamental Chelsea forward reportedly insulted Domenech in the dressing room after finding out that he was to be hauled off at the break in favour of Andre-Pierre Gignac, and then refused to publicly apologise when accounts of the spat began to surface in the media.

President of the French Football Federation (FFF) Jean-Pierre Escalettes issued the following statement on the FFF’s official website;

“[Anelka] will leave the Team France camp this evening.

Words spoken by Nicolas Anelka to the national coach, Raymond Domenech, are completely unacceptable to the FFF, French football and the values they defend.

Upon refusal by the player to deliver a public apology, we made the decision – in full agreement with the coach and members of the official delegation – to exclude Nicolas Anelka from the group.”

It is now widely expected that Anelka will announce his retirement from international football.

Quote of the day…

“I have great respect for the France team, I also have great respect for all my teammates, without exception, I insist on that.”

Nicolas Anelka whilst speaking to France-Soir. I can think of one possible exception.

Evra looking to ‘flush out the traitor’…

The disharmony within the France squad is showing no signs of abating after the removal of bad-egg Nicolas Anelka, with captain Patrice Evra now vowing to put his sleuthing skills to the test by finding which member of his 23-man squad leaked details of the half-time row to the press.

French sports daily L’Equipe had various details of the incident splashed all over their publication and Evra believes that the reports were too accurate to have just been idle speculation on the rag’s behalf;

“The problem of France is not Anelka, but the traitor among us. We must eliminate the traitor from the group, because he wants to hurt the team.

There is no little mouse in the locker room, this comes from someone who is on the team and wants to hurt the team.

We are not going to lie, the reporter [from L'Equipe] did not make this up. I do not know anything [about this person], I am not a magician.”

‘It never rains…’ and all that!

Rooney’s sowwy…

Following his little post-game charade yesterday, England striker Wayne Rooney has issued a short statement on the FA’s website apologising for his outburst.

So said the man himself;

“Last night, on reflection I said things in the heat of the moment that came out of frustration of both our performance and the result.

For my part I apologise for any offence caused by my actions at the end of the game.”

Nicolas Anelka take note.

Carra on booing…

There are reports in some of the more spurious British tabloids this morning that Rooney’s apology (not his petulant outburst!) has caused a rift in the England squad – with the players being divided as to whether the Manchester United man was right to say sorry or not.

Should these particular allegations be true (you can be pretty sure they aren’t), defender Jamie Carragher has made no secret of which side of the fence he would fall on – defending the England faithful’s right to signal their frustrations;

“I feel the supporters in the stadium were perfectly entitled to boo the team. I’ve never had a problem with that.

I’ve always said fans should support during the game but, at the end, they’re right to let us know when they’re not happy.

It’s not as if they’ve only travelled around the corner to watch us.”

Carra’s probably just used to all that booing given the season his club side endured last term!

Death threats…

Nigeria defender Sani Kaita has revealed that he has received death threats following his red card during the Super Eagles’ 2-1 Group B defeat to Greece last Thursday.

The African side were one-nil up when Kaita inexplicably raked his studs down the leg of Greek midfielder Vasileios Torosidis as the ball rolled harmlessly out for a throw-in.

After the game, Kaita said that he had received multiple emails which threatened to harm him and worse – although he is remaining philosophical about it all;

“Yes, I have received some threats to my life. They were sent to my email but I’m not disturbed about that because as a Muslim, only God decides who lives and who dies.

Everything on this Earth is in God’s hands, whether it is your life or whatever and unless God allows it, no-one has the power to kill me.

Only God knows what will happen tomorrow. He holds our destiny. That is what my religion teaches me.”

I suppose he must have received instruction from on-high to leave a three-inch gash in Torosidis’ right thigh as well.

And in other news…

Brazil coach Dunga has slammed journalists from his country for continually spreading rumours about fantasy injuries within his squad. (F365)

David Beckham has played down the incident that saw a fan breach security and make his way into the England dressing room after the Algeria game. (BBC Sport)

England coach Fabio Capello ‘expects to be sacked’ if his side flop in South Africa. (Goal)

Soccerlens Fantasy Football…

Soccerlens Fantasy Football gives you the option to go against friends and fellow competitors over a day’s games.

This means that you should pick your fantasy team from players involved in the games happening on that specific day. It also gives you the option of picking your fantasy team with the players you might be more familiar with.

Either way, it’s fast and action packed. So pick the specific round(s) you want to join from the home-page and join a competition!

You can also challenge your friends over a specific round by creating a private competition

Today’s (Sunday 20th June) round is as follows:

• Slovakia vs Paraguay

• New Zealand vs Italy

• Brazil vs Ivory Coast

Give it a go and you may come away with a cash prize!

The 2010 World Cup on Soccerlens…

There will be comprehensive coverage of the World Cup on Soccerlens over the coming months.

With the dedicated World Cup section (chock full of info, including fixtures and stats – and even links to buy replica shirts) on SL, there really is no need to go anywhere else for your World Cup needs this summer!

You can even follow us on Twitter and Facebook if you’re that way inclined.

Also on Soccerlens…

• Brazil vs Ivory Coasy: When Flair And Power Collide

• England’s World Cup – Pointing The Finger

• The Wayne Rooney Incident – Is It Acceptable To Boo Your Team?

• Italy vs New Zealand: Can Marchetti Fill Buffon’s Gloves?

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

In a sentence

Ghana waste their one man advantage, while Australia rally strongly in the second half.

Don’t shoot!

Hopeful long shots formed the bulk of Ghana’s attacking efforts. They needed to be more ambitious and create quality chances. Their best moment was Boateng’s pass to Gyan in the 71st minute: a simple ball that allowed the striker to expose the defence’s lack of pace. No goals in three hours of open play suggest a need for a change.

Big, hairy and effective

Hitting long balls up to a target-man is not clever but it can work. From the moment he was introduced, Josh Kennedy caused Ghana’s young defence problems. He should start against Serbia. 

Weaker but braver

Despite being a man down and lacking an attacking player of real class, Australia were bolder in attack. They were willing to gamble and commit men forward. Too many teams have been too defensive in this tournament: it was great to see a team go for it.

What next?

Ghana will lose to Germany and be left sweating on the result in the other game. Australia showed enough today to suggest they might just pick up a draw against Serbia.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News