The best part about holiday shopping is the amount of discounts you can find. It is very important to go around the market before buying something because you never know, you might find it for cheaper elsewhere.

Keeping that in mind, I looked around for quality presents with good discounts and picked, what I thought, were really good bargains.

Real Madrid 2011-12 Third kit

adidas have made a red third kit for Real Madrid’s 2011-12 UEFA Champions League campaign. The red shirt has white adidas stripes on the shoulder.

The original price of this red Galacticos shirt is £41.24 but you can buy the 11-12 Real Madrid Champions League third shirt for £35.05.

Nike Total90 Strike IV

The Strike IV by Nike is the ideal football boot for powerful shooting and accuracy. Strike IV is designed to provide you assistance in touch, control, optimal precision and uniform striking surface.

The T90 Strike IV is available for £58.66 and that’s after a 26% discount – from the actual price of £79.99.

V. Persie 9 – Holland 2010 World Cup Home Shirt

Nike manufactures the sports goods for the Holland national team and the number 9 orange home shirt of the sensational Arsenal skipper, Robin van Persie, is available on the Soccerlens Store.

The original price of this shirt was £59.99 and it is on a 5% discount. You can buy the 10-11 Holland home shirt for £56.99.

Zidane 10 – France 2010 World Cup Home Shirt

It was a disappointing trip to South Africa for the 1998 champions. Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema were already trapped in a lot of controversy and to add to the tension, there were disagreements in the dressing room. It was clearly a different France than we last saw in 2006 under the captaincy of the great Zinedine Zidane.

The original price of this adidas manufactured shirt was £54.99 but with a 45% discount, you can buy the 10-11 France home shirt for £30.

Drogba 11 – Ivory Coast 2010 World Home Shirt

Didier Drogba’s injury to the forearm kept him from performing a hundred percent. On top of that, it would have been quite a task to beat Brazil and Portugal. North Korea was the fourth team in their group. They still managed a goalless draw with Portugal and a three goal win over Korea but Brazil was just too strong for them.

That was probably Drogba’s last World Cup as a top class striker. The Chelsea ace wore the number 11 for his national team.

The original price of the shirt was £59.99 but we’re offering a 42% discount. You can now buy the 10-11 Ivory Coast home shirt for £35.

Beckham 7 – England Euro 2012 Home Shirt

David Beckham was the most influential footballer in recent times and his experience and skills were unmatched across England. His presence will be missed but there is a lot of promising young blood coming through.

The original price of the Euro 2012 home shirt was £59.99. After a massive 42% discount, you can buy the 11-12 England home shirt for £35.

Eto’o 9 – Cameroon 2010 World cup Away Shirt

Samuel Eto’o is as clinical as a striker can get. If his successful spells at Barcelona and Inter Milan don’t convince you enough, his larger than life pay-check with Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala should leave you dumbfounded.

The original price of this shirt was £59.99 but after a 42% discount, you can buy the 10-11 Cameroon away shirt for £35.

adidas adiPower Predator

The adidas Predator was formerly worn by players like Xavi, Lionel Messi and many others in top competitions around the world. It’s built for speed, power and swerve.

The original price of the boot was £154.99. Kitbag is offering a 29% discount and you can buy the adidas Predator for £109.99.

Robbie Fowler Signed Liverpool Shirt

The Liverpool born striker came through the youth ranks of the Reds and played through his prime at Liverpool. He left his childhood club and moved the Leeds United and went on to impress fans across England. He also made appearances for Manchester City and had another stint at Liverpool.

To honor the Reds legend, here’s a personally signed Liverpool numbed 9 shirt of Robbie Fowler:

The original price of this framed shirt was £366.67. Kitbag is offering a 15% discount and you can buy the Fowler signed Liverpool home shirt for £311.67.

This magnificent collector’s item was originally priced at £916.67. Kitbag if offering a 15% discount and the Pele and Maradona dual framed and signed shirts for £779.17.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

One overwhelming question has stuck with me since the completion of the World Cup. Is it possible to do it “samba style” anymore? Not since ’86, when Maradona dazzled the crowd, have we witnessed a team win the World Cup by playing free-flowing, attacking football. Even Brazil, who invented “samba style”, have not been there true selves since Zico’s side in ’82. So is this switch to a more tactical, organized style of play a good thing, and is it here to stay?

“Pragmatic”was a word I heard used about 400 times by analysts throughout the tournament. It was used to describe just about every team bar the French, who could only be described as sad. So lets look at these teams and see just how pragmatic they were. The Dictionary defines pragmatic as, “dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.”

Enter exhibit A, our prime candidate for pragmatist of the year, Joachim Loew. The German manager will come out of this tournament correctly recognized as one of the top young coaches in world football. He took the 2nd youngest squad, to a 3rd placed finish, and did so, for the most part, with great style.

The quick, counter attacking approach was a joy to watch and made the Germans the highest scoring side in the tournament. Players like Thomas Mueller and Mesut Ozil announced themselves as the future of German football and they looked like a team who enjoyed themselves. The Germans had every right to be optimistic about a fourth title.

After destroying English hearts again in the last 16, and then embarrassing Argentina and “the anti-pragmatist“ Maradona in the quarters, they came to a semi-final match-up with pre-tournament favorites Spain. Germany and Loew were bursting with confidence. They were coming off back to back 4 goal games, and with a burning desire to avenge their defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2008.

However, look at the team sheets and you see that Spain would have been confident also. On paper they are some way ahead of the Germans. Loew knows this, and because he has lost to this side before, he begins to fear Spain a little too much. He may call it respect but it’s the same thing in this instance. Germany respected the tip-tap approach of the Spaniards and they feared the threat of Villa.

So Loew approached the game like any sensible, pragmatic coach would. He told his team to defend, to reduce Iniesta and Xavi’s space and to try and snatch a goal somewhere. The adventurous Schweinsteiger patrolled the middle and only attacked if need be. Lahm made 3 runs into the final third, compared to his usual 18 and you see a strategy emerging.

Spain thrived on this. They had seen it before. Their starting line up contained 7 Barcelona and 3 Madrid players. What kind of strategy and defense do you think they face every week in La Liga? Probably pragmatic ones – you see where I am going.

They didn’t panic when 60 minutes passed by without a goal. They continued to probe in their typical fashion because they knew that Germany would crack. Sure enough, a defensive blunder led to Puyol’s headed winner. It was un-realistic to expect the German defense to be focused for 90 minutes without fault. As it was, Germany had no back-up plan. They crumbled just like Portugal and Paraguay and all the others who tried to be pragmatic against Spain; they are just too good.

The Spanish team celebrate after Puyols headed goal.

Earlier I described Joachim Loew as the ultimate pragmatist, and then criticized his use of pragmatism. So does this mean that pragmatism is bad? Well ask Brazil manager Dunga. He, like every Brazil manager, had one task, win the World Cup. He did it as a player and captain in ’94.

However he was widely scolded amongst the media in Brazil prior to the tournament. He built his side on the fundamentals, starting with a solid defense led by Lucio, Dunga’s captain. He chose two defensive midfield players and chose to leave Daniel Alves out in favor of the more cautious Michel Bastos at left back.

The media and the public did not like this in Brazil. But all would be forgotten if Dunga’s boys could bring home an unprecedented 6th title. They cruised through the early stages of the tournament brushing past Chile and into the quarters. There, they met a Holland side, equally comfortable throughout the tournament.

After 7 minutes Robinho scored and put the Dutch on their knees. They had no response and seemed their for the taking. But this was Dunga’s pragmatic Brazil, they didn’t go for the jugular as Pele or Zico would have, they sat back and defended their lead. Dunga was being realistic, he thought the chances of his side turning the Dutch over were slim, he was happy to escape with the 1-0 win.

Unfortunately for Dunga and Brazil. Wesley Sneijder and Holland had other ideas. They sent the “samba boys” packing, and as for the pragmatic Dunga, he lasted about 40 hours more in the job before he was fired. Brazil will be back, Dunga may not.

The Brazil coach was critisized throughout his time in charge. He was fired just 40 hours after Brazil were eliminated by Holland

So where is the argument for pragmatism. Well it is everywhere, where it worked. Uruguay, who managed their best finish at a World Cup since 1950, were chief pragmatists. It was evident the moment they chose to shut up shop against France. That 0-0 draw was the catalyst for their impressive tournament.

Uruguay relied on heroic defending and Diego Forlan. They defended as a team right from the front. Just ask Luis Suarez, who became the villain of Africa after his handball sent Ghana out in the quarters. When Uruguay did score at this World Cup, you could bet Forlan had something to do with it and he deserves tremendous praise for his performances at this world cup.

Uruguay went into every match as the underdog or at least with a 50/50 chance of losing according to the experts. So they approached each game pragmatically and it worked for them. The fourth placed finish was way beyond anything the Uruguayan people expected prior to the tournament.

Pragmatism strikes back it would seem, in the shape of Uruguay. Other teams such as Paraguay and Ghana got their rewards for the way they approached each game sensibly and should be copied by other nations. But only other nations with similar ability. Should Holland, who were unbeaten in 25 games have been pragmatic against Spain?

Maybe somewhat, but not to the level they were. They eventually received the same punishment as the Germans for respecting the Spanish tip-tap too much. So who should be pragmatic, and should that always be the philosophy of football teams from now on?

Pragmatism should be used when necessary, by teams who feel they have an inferior level of quality in their ranks. If I were a doctor who could diagnose pragmatism to world cup teams who flopped this year. Argentina need constant prescribing. There disregard for anything to do with defending was exploited in their qualifying campaign, and while they rode a wave under Maradona in the early stages, they were out smarted badly by Germany.

Cameroon would also need a high dosage and even maybe England. While England are right to think they have a good enough squad to go out and beat Germany they were wrong to disrespect their young players. Ozil, Muller and co. ran riot against the un-suspecting English. They paid the price for their lack of pragmatism and must re-evaluate their own impression of where they stand in world football.

On the other hand a doctor sometimes has to cut some addicts off. Germany now know their talent level and need not be so cautious in big matches in the future (look out for this side to be favorites at Euro 2014). Cote D’Ivoire and Sven Goran Erikkson need to go cold turkey completely. The talent they had at their disposal, especially in the attacking third would have told you that the only way they could have beaten Brazil or Portugal was to attack, but they paid the price for their lack of adventure.

It is true that we will never again see a side as beautiful to watch as Hungary of ’54, Brazil of ’70 or Holland of ’74. The level of media scrutiny before each match, makes it impossible to play with freedom. Everything in football is so public for other coaches and teams that preparation is a huge element of the game.

Therefore we must face the fact that for every Spain side, there will be a Uruguay. And just because your country look good at the start of the World Cup, do not be fooled into thinking they will play that way throughout. Football has changed and shows no signs of going back. Like it or leave it, we are now watching the “Pragmatic Game.”

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

So was it any good, then?

Yes, eventually. The first week or so of the tournament was largely dull, with too many teams adopting anti-football tactics, simply to avoid defeat in their opening contest. The tournament picked up, as we desperately hoped, after the first round of group fixtures, with bad results for France, England and Italy keeping many groups wide open until the death.

The United States v Slovenia match in Group C gave the tournament a shot in the arm: not the best quality football but an engrossing, thrilling match worthy of its Ellis Park setting. But the combination of a terrible ball and many matches being played at altitude handicapped the players, who needed half a tournament to get used to controlling the confounded Jabulani.

Recent tournaments have seen the goals dry up in the knockout stage but the opposite happened in South Africa, probably because the worst, most negative teams had been sent packing. Germany, playing the best football seen in the tournament, slaughtered first England and then Argentina, both of whom defended idiotically.

Germany, though, remained a largely reactive side, dependent on hitting teams on the break for their impressive haul of goals. Against Spain in their semi final, this was not an option as the European champions kept so many players behind the ball. Spain’s game is based on conservatism: keeping the ball at all costs and not being punished by a counter attack. 

The downside was that they struggled to create chances.  That, combined with the miserable form in front of goal from all of their players bar David Villa and, on occasion, the imperious Andrés Iniesta, left them as comfortably the lowest-scoring world champions in history.

The tournament had a shortage of true playmakers: inventive midfielders who could play their way through a side putting two banks of players behind the ball. Only Lionel Messi, witlessly accused of playing badly by those who only pay attention to the goalscoring lists, and Lukas Podolski looked a constant danger when dribbling at defenders.

How was the atmosphere?

An acquired taste, to be charitable. The vuvuzela will mercifully be consigned to the history books from today onwards. Its monotone racket prevented any distinguishable atmosphere at any matches, with the ebb and flow of the game not reflected by the noise from the terraces.

South Africa struggles for nightlife during the winter, and you would have struggled to learn that a World Cup was on in cities on days with no local matches. Fan parks, one of the great developments in Germany in 2006, struggled to attract visitors, with too many games scheduled during local working hours.  The irregular kick-off times of 1.30, 4.00 and 8.30 pm did not help.

That said, the host nation enjoyed fanatical support, with the opening goal of the tournament from Siphiwe Tshabalala becoming one of the iconic moments in football history. It could not have helped that South Africa became the first ever World Cup hosts to fail to negotiate their group but support was quickly transferred to Ghana, victim of a gross injustice in the final moments of their quarter final with Uruguay.

What was the refereeing like?

A mixed bag.  Some early matches were very well officiated but we were robbed of two potentially classic match by refereeing howlers. First, the United States comeback against Slovenia was rendered incomplete after Maurice Edu’s goal was mystifyingly disallowed, despite two clear fouls by Slovenian defenders in their own area. Had Frank Lampard’s goal against Germany been given – as even in real time it clearly should – who knows what would have become of the second round tie?

As ever, too many rules were inconsistently applied, particularly regarding encroachment at a penalty kick. Why were Paraguay not entitled to a re-take when Spanish defenders entered the penalty area prematurely, yet Spain were obliged to go again when Xabi Alonso scored with attacking team-mates trespassing in the 18 yard box?

Howard Webb’s performance in the Final divides opinion, but most serious observers concluded that he did a reasonable job in difficult circumstances.  The real villains of the piece were the Dutch, who set about their Spanish opponents with outright thuggery at times. Too much is said about not wanting to spoil a big match but had Webb sent Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong packing for serious foul play in the opening half hour at Soccer City, at least one team would have been able to play football.

That said, it should not be forgotten that Spain were lucky not to have Carles Puyol sent off for a clumsy foul on Arjen Robben with the Dutch winger through on goal, and the theatrics of their players – Iniesta particularly – was little more gracious than the constant fouling from the Dutch.

Sepp Blatter has promised to review technology in the wake of two shocking errors in one day which may have cost England and Mexico their places in the competition. Yet we have had ‘reviews’ before, what is needed is urgent change. Certainly, a penalty goal rule needs to be devised before the start of the European season, in order to take away the ability of players such as Luis Suárez to cheat opponents out of a goal.

The issue is complicated by use of the word ‘technology’, which conjures images of expensive 3D modelling computer programmes such as those we see at Wimbledon and international cricket matches. The only thing football need do to correctly adjudicate 99% of decisions is rewind the tape. Television, not technology, should be the watchword.

Player of the Tournament

FIFA – make sure you’re sitting down here – have got this one right, giving Diego Forlán the FIFA Golden Ball award. Forlán spearheaded Uruguay’s improbable charge to fourth place, scoring some sensational goals which put other star players’ inability to control the ball to shame. Honorable mentions should go to David Villa, Thomas Müller and the effervescent Alexis Sánchez, who brought back a classic style of wing play all too rare in modern tournaments.

Forlán, though, was the individual star: all of his five goals bar the penalty against South Africa came from the edge of the penalty are and beyond. Following his wonder volley against Senegal in 2002, has any player in history such a collection of World Cup goals?

Goal of the Tournament

The temptation lingers to give this to Andrés Iniesta, if only for sparing us the grim prospect of having another World Cup Final decided with a penalty competition. There were, however, many better goals.

The early games lacked spectacular long-range goals; those which were scored from outside the area were down to calamitous goalkeeping errors such as those from Robert Green and Faouzi Chaouchi. There were, however, a couple of fine team goals from Germany, plus Maicon’s goal from a tight angle for Brazil against North Korea.

When the long-range goals began flying in, though, they did so in style. Gio van Bronckhorst’s semi final strike against Uruguay flew straight as a dart, giving lie to those who whinged that the Jabulani ball could not be controlled. The most spectacular strike, though, must surely be Carlos Tévez’s thunderbolt against Mexico.

Goal of the Tournament, though, goes to a goal which combined brilliant individual skill and clinical finishing: David Villa’s first against Honduras, which saw Barcelona’s new signing dribble past three defenders before finding the top corner.  In a World Cup lacking great dribbling, it was a breath of fresh air.

Assist of the Tournament

An award which, it must be confessed, is devised solely to give credit for Keisuke Honda’s extraordinary skill and selflessness in setting up Shinji Okazaki’s goal for Japan against Denmark.

Match of the Tournament

Those who argue the tournament lacked a classic match didn’t see Germany thrashing England or Argentina, both of which provided neutrals with breathtaking performances in lively matches.

Slovakia’s shock 3-2 victory over Italy was brilliant in the last quarter, though the match had been fairly humdrum until Italy woke up to their dire situation once Slovakia scored their second goal. For a simply extraordinary, brilliant and often insane football match, look no further than the pulsating Cameroon v Denmark clash in Group E.

Though the football that night in Pretoria was not of the highest quality, it was the most open game of the championship. Indeed, some of the defending belonged on Hackney Marshes. Cameroon, out of desperation, spent the final half hour attacking like maniacs and how only three goals were scored from 36 shots on goal can only be explained by the two goalkeepers.

Worst Player

England and France were so poor that it would be silly to pick out an individual player, so this ‘award’ goes to Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel, whose constant brutish tackling extraordinarily failed to elicit a red card or cause a serious injury in seven matches. Argumentative and often violent, it is easy to see why Holland were such an enjoyable watch during Euro 2008 when coach Marco van Basten refused to pick van Bommel.

Things we won’t miss now the tournament is over

Vuvuzelas. People saying ‘technique’ instead of ‘skill’. Jabulani. Players clean through on goal shooting straight at the goalkeeper’s body. The Port Elizabeth pitch, flown in straight from Wembley. Mark van Bommel. Players being accused of ‘diving’ for going down when fouled. Algeria. People banging on about England players’ wages because they can’t think of a more constructive criticism. Spanish attacking players standing still for minutes at a time while BBC pundits drool over their cautious and non-progressive passing. Brazil’s terrible midfield. Vuvuzelas.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

After writing about the Adidas Kick TR shoes, the world-cup themed sneakers from Adidas, I’ve found something even cooler for you sneaker freaks out there! The Puma Tekkies are a series of football themed shoes, which attempt to portray world cup participant countries creatively on something you can take with you every day. They are all designed with the country they represent in mind, drawing influence from the country colors, flags, and traditions. I love the grungy look on most of the designs, and the countries they are made for. The Puma Tekkies can be bought for Germany, Brazil, South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Italy. My favorite pair is the Ghana Tekkies pair.

Check them out:

Puma World Cup Sneakers

And a close-up of the Brazil Tekkies:

Puma Tekkies Brazil World Cup

You can buy them here: Puma Shop

Or in the United States, you can get them at the Puma City store. Happy Tekking!

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Buon giorno and welcome, one and all, to the daily World Cup column on Soccerlens.

It may have caught your attention that the reigning champions Italy did a bit of a whoopsie last night, failing to overturn ‘little’ Slovakia (see below) and flying home early with their collective tails between their collective legs as a result.

At least the Azzurri will be allowed the necessary time to reflect on their shortcomings in tranquil meditation by the famously forgiving Italian media.

Here’s the best of today’s World Cup tidbits…

(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.)

Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand…

Paraguay cemented their place in the knock-out rounds of the World Cup by harvesting the point they required from a pretty dull goalless draw with New Zealand – who themselves still stood an outside chance of qualifying for the second phase.

A win for the Kiwis would have seen both them and Gerardo Martino‘s side advance, but the Antipodeans failed to trouble the Paraguayan ‘keeper Justo Villar – registering just one shot on goal during the entire game.

The South Americans weren’t much better and relied heavily on sporadic half-chances and speculative long-range efforts to provide the breakthrough. Captain Denis Caniza came close on a couple of occasions but unsurprisingly failed to improve on his pretty dismal (1 goal in 97 appearances) international goal-scoring record.

New Zealand may rue their missed opportunity to cause what would have been a huge upset, but Ricki Herbert‘s men can go home with their heads held high after ending the tournament unbeaten and finishing above reigning champions Italy in the Group F standings.

Highlights…

Read the Paraguay vs New Zealand match report.

Slovakia 3-2 Italy…

Incumbent champions Italy relinquished their crown in dramatic fashion yesterday, crashing out of the World Cup after being beaten by a Slovakia side that had performed so unadventurously during their first two games.

The match started slowly but burst into life in the 25th minute when Slovakian striker Robert Vittek gave his country a surprise lead, eventually capitalising on Daniele De Rossi‘s sloppy pass by diverting Juraj Kucka‘s deliciously weighted through-ball past Federico Marchetti in the Italy goal.

With his side struggling to impose themselves, Marcello Lippi brought on Christian Maggio and Fabio Quagliarella at the break, and then sorely-missed playmaker Andrea Pirlo just 10 minutes later.

The switch made a palpable difference, with Pirlo keeping play moving through the middle and Quagliarella giving the Italians added mobility up-front.

However, despite their obvious improvement, the Azzurri suffered another body blow in the 75th minute when Vittek popped up at the near post to prod home Marek Hamsik‘s low cross – thus extending the Slovak’s lead to two clear goals.

Vittek’s second goal sparked a fraught final period, full of nervous tension and exciting twists.

Firstly, Antonio Di Natale pulled a goal back for Italy, rolling into an open goal after Quagliarella was denied at close range by Jan Mucha.

Di Natale’s strike restored his side’s vigour but, as they pushed forward in search of the second goal that would keep them in the competition, Slovakian substitute Kamil Kopunek seemingly once again ended their hopes of advancing – racing past a hesitant Italian defensive line to lob a shot over Marchetti and inside the far post.

However, there was still time for the impressive Quagliarella to get his name on the scoresheet, the Napoli striker floating a sublimely composed shot over Mucha from the edge of the Slovakian area in the 92nd minute.

With the game deep into injury time, Simone Pepe was presented with a chance to draw Italy dramatically level, but the Udinese winger slashed at a far post volley and his shot spun harmlessly wide.

There were scenes of abject desolation in the Azzurri camp at the final whistle as Italy, who won the tournament just four years ago, failed to reach the second round of the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.

Highlights…

Read Ross Mackiewicz‘ in-depth Slovakia vs Italy match report.

Stat attack…

• With both France and Italy finishing bottom of their respective groups, the 2010 World Cup has become the first finals ever in which both the previous finalists have failed to make it into the knock-out stages.

Denmark 1-3 Japan…

Japan turned on the style to see off Denmark by a comfortable margin in their final Group E game in Rustenburg, thus securing the Samurai Blues a place in the last 16.

Takeshi Okada‘s side had lost five of their previous six games and only scored nine goals in 12 World Cup games, so such a confident display came as a shock to almost everybody.

Two near-perfect first-half free-kicks from Keisuke Honda (a vicious, dipping effort into the far corner) and Yasuhito Endo (a curled shot from 25 yards) ensured Japan were in front at the break and cruising.

The Asians held their lead until the 81st minute, when Jon Dahl Tomasson managed a consolation goal for the Danes, the veteran forward slicing home after seeing his weak penalty palmed fortunately back into his path by Eiji Kawashima.

However, Japan weren’t finished and, following some excellent technical play from man-of-the-match Honda, Shinji Okazaki was gifted a chance to seal his country’s emphatic win.

Japan will now advance through to the second round (for the first time in a World Cup finals not held on home soil) and will face Group  F winners Paraguay in Pretoria next Tuesday.

Highlights…

Read the Denmark vs Japan match report.

Stat attack…

• Although Jon Dahl Tomasson‘s goal against Japan saw him draw level with Poul Nielsen as Denmark’s highest international goalscorer (52 goals), the latter achieved his tally in just 38 appearances (between 1910 and 1925) whereas Tomasson was winning his 112th cap last night.

Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands…

A late winner from the boot of Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made sure that the Netherlands finished up on top of their group, after winning all three of their first round ties.

Bert Van Marwijk‘s men took the lead ten minutes before half time when Robin Van Persie angled a low, powerful shot past Souleymanou Hamidou following a slick one-two with Rafael Van der Vaart on the edge of the Cameroon area.

The Indomitable Lions had to wait until the 65th minute mark to restore parity, Samuel Eto’o netting from the penalty spot after Van der Vaart seemingly inadvertently handled Geremi‘s direct freekick – the Inter Milan striker duly whipping the ball home from twelve yards.

The Dutch then grabbed the winner when, in the 83rd minute, Huntelaar kept his cool to pass the ball into a gaping goal after Arjen Robben‘s 20-yard effort came back off the post.

The Oranje will now be hoping to extend their 100% record when they meet Group F runners-up Slovakia in the second round.

Highlights…

Read the Cameroon vs Netherlands match summary.

Getting Lippi…

Coach Marcello Lippi has shouldered the blame for Italy’s woeful World Cup exit, admitting his side played with ‘terror in their heart, head and legs’.

It had already been announced prior to the tournament that the ‘Tuscan Tactician’ was to hand the Azzurri reigns over to Cesare Prandelli after the World Cup, but their elimination arrived earlier than expected – crashing out at the group stage after failing to beat Slovakia yesterday.

Rather than blame the questionable offside decision (Fabio Quagliarella had a late goal ruled out by the tightest of margins) which denied the reigning champions an equaliser, Lippi admitted that he only had himself to blame.

The 62-year-old former Juventus manager said;

“I take all responsibility for what happened, because if a team shows up at such an important game with terror in their head, heart and legs and if the team is unable to express its abilities it means the coach didn’t train that team as he should have done, psychologically, technically or tactically.

I would have expected anything except to see a performance like we gave in the first half of the game, not to mention the second half.

I am sorry to see it end in such a fashion because I didn’t expect this. I take on all responsibilities for the choices I made and the way I introduced the team to you.

I wish the best to my successor [Prandelli], best of luck to him and thank you all for these four years, part of which were fantastic and part of which were not.”

At least Lippi can take some comfort in the fact that, although Italy were pretty abject (until the last 15 minutes of the Slovakia game), they weren’t quite as bad as France – who are rapidly becoming the new measuring stick for footballing disappointment everywhere.

Read Steve Amoia‘s full translation of Lippi’s press conference.

The aftermath in headlines…

The famously lenient Italian press have had a field day after watching their country whimper out of the World Cup yesterday. Here’s a selection of the best (or should that be ‘worst’?) strap-lines…

“Going home in shame” - Gazzetta Dello Sport

“Ugly Italy, One of our ugliest national teams ever, actually, the ugliest ever.” – Correire Dello Sera

“The aircraft called shame is ready to leave.” – La Stampa

“Italy, the world champions, leave South Africa to return home covered in sporting dishonour.” – La Stampa

“Shameful Italy.” – La Repubblica

“The end of a generation and of an illusion, we deserved to go out.” – La Repubblica

“It is quite right that little, almost comic Italy comes home.” – La Repubblica

“In 270 minutes we shot at goal seven or eight times.” – Fabrizio Bocca in La Repubblica

“Cannavaro is an ex-player and almost all the others were washed up. We were champions of the world and now we are the laughing stock of the world.” - Bocca again

“A team without life or personality” – Guess who?

“It is hard to imagine a greater sporting catastrophe.” – Gazzetta Dello Sport

As i say, famously lenient.

Going, going, Le Guen…

Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen has handed in his notice, following the Indomitable Lions’ underwhelming performance at the World Cup.

Cameroon finished bottom of Group E after failing to register a single point, despite being labelled as one of Africa’s brightest hopes pre-tournament.

After his side lost to the Netherlands yesterday, Le Guen told the press;

“My contract is coming up, and it was clear all along I would stop now.

Maybe I didn’t succeed in unifying the team and bringing it together. Naturally my mood is one of defeat, I know I have lost three matches in this tournament.

We leave the World Cup with lots of regrets. We know that we were carrying lots of hopes from everyone in Cameroon but we weren’t able to realise them.”

The former Rangers coach is now widely expected to take the vacant Australia manager’s job, after Pim Verbeek stepped down following the Socceroo’s elimination yesterday.

Looking for a toilet…

The supporter that breached stadium security during England’s 0-0 draw with Algeria game, made his way into the team’s dressing room and then berated the players for their performance, will appear in court later today.

Pavlos Joseph, from London, will appear at a special World Cup court in Cape Town where he is due to stand trial on charges of ‘trespassing’.

At a previous hearing, Joseph was banned from attending any future World Cup matches, his passport was withheld, and he was released on R500 bail.

UPDATE: Joseph’s case has just been adjourned until next Wednesday.

Red tape…

Is this the most ridiculous refereeing decision of the World Cup so far? (Maurice Edu might argue otherwise!)

Striker Nicklas Bendtner was forced to colour his white socks in with a red marker pen before Denmark’s Group E clash with Japan – after being told by the fussy officials that he wouldn’t be allowed to play with white tape around his ankles.

Madness…indeed…gone mad!

Quote of the day…

“He seemed to me [to be] a guy to take to your bedside table and ask him each time you need something. I’ve got his phone number, I might call him.”

Argentina coach Diego Maradona seems to think that Jose Mourinho would be useful in bed.

And in other news…

FIFA have confirmed that England will wear their ‘lucky’ all-red strip against Germany in Bloemfontein on Sunday. (F365)

England coach Fabio Capello has apparently picked the five players that will take penalties should the Germany game go the distance. (Guardian)

Germany captain Phillip Lahm is also prepared for the lottery of penalties. (Sporting Life)

Thierry Henry has been absolved of any blame following the France team’s World Cup ‘mutiny’. (The Sun)

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 (Friday 25th June) round is as follows:

• North Korea vs Ivory Coast

• Portugal vs Brazil

• Chile vs Spain

• Switzerland vs Honduras

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…

• Gattuso: ‘Italian Football Has To Examine It’s Conscience’

• 2010 World Cup Second Round Preview

• England vs Germany Preview: England Will Need More Than Beer

• Uruguay vs South Korea Preview

• Argentina vs Mexico Preview: El Diego Leads From The Back

• Franz Beckenbauer Taunts ‘Stupid’ England

• USA vs Africa: Ghana Carry The Hopes Of A Continent

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands
2010 FIFA World Cup
24 June 2010

The Netherlands would win keep their winning streak alive with a 2-1 win over Cameroon.

It was a meaningless match as Cameroon’s chance of advancing were gone after their second match and the Dutch had clinched their spot.

The goals for the Dutch were scored by Robin Van Persie in the 36th minute while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored the other in the 83rd minute. Cameroon’s lone goal was by Samuel Eto’o who converted a penalty kick in the 65th minute.

The Netherlands will face Slovakia in their knockout stage match and are looking like one of the contenders to challenge for the title.

Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands Goal Videos

All goals (Van Persie 36′, Eto’o 65′, Huntelaar 83′)

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

Cameroon 1-2 Denmark
2010 FIFA World Cup
19 June 2010

Cameroon would get an early lead but couldn’t hold onto it as their knockout stage chances came to an end.

The opening goal was scored by Samuel Eto’o in the 10th minute as Denmark turned it over in their own end. Eto’o would receive a pass inside the box and score with a low shot to make it 1-0.

Denmark would recover from their early defensive mistake and score two unanswered goals to get the three points. A long ball was played out wide to Dennis Rommedahl who then sent a low cross into the box where Nicklas Bendtner was there to finish it. Rommedahl was involved in the second goal as well but this time he would finish it. On a counterattack, He took a touch inside the box and scored with a curling shot to the far post in the 61st minute.

The win for Denmark means they can qualify with a win in their final match while Cameroon has no hope of moving onto the next round.

Cameroon 1-2 Denmark Goal Videos

Cameroon 1-0 Denmark – (Eto’o) 10′

Cameroon 1-1 Denmark – (Bendtner) 33′

Cameroon 1-2 Denmark – (Rommedahl) 61′

See all2010 World Cup Video Highlights.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Cameroon v Denmark
Group E, 2010 World Cup
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Saturday, 19 June 2010
1930 (BST) / 2030 (Local Time)

Cameroon and Denmark have both lost their opening games to Japan and Netherlands respectively. Although FIFA ranks Cameroon (19) over Japan (45) but on the day the Samurai Blues got one up on the Indomitable Lions. And well, Netherlands is just a better team than Denmark – the Danes were lucky to get out of it with just a 2-0 loss in my opinion.

The Cameroon vs Denmark game is very important to both the teams as a loss will mean the chances of progress in this World Cup disappear. It will be down to luck for them to climb from fourth to second.

Watch Cameroon vs Denmark live online. Click here to sign up.

Cameroon
This is Cameroon’s sixth appearance in the World Cup. They failed to qualify in 2006 and they best performance came in 1990 when they were beaten at the hands of England in the quarterfinals in extra time. They managed to beat the reigning champions, Argentina, in the group stages, they also beat Romania but succumbed to the Soviet Union who overpowered them with four goals and headed back home.

Although Argentina went on to play the final but Cameroon left a mark on the world of football by defeating a powerhouse of football and then drawing England 2-2 in the regulation time only to lose to a Gary Lineker penalty in the 105th minute. Also, Cameroon gave away a penalty in the 83rd which Lineker converted.

Roger Milla, 38 years old at the time, had come out of retirement at the request of the Cameroonian president to join the squad at the last moment. He was the hero of Cameroon’s 1990 campaign.

This time around, Cameroon is gifted with another world class striker who has been plying his trade and sharpening his skills at top level clubs in Europe. Samuel Eto’o scored over a hundred goals for Barcelona in the five seasons he was there and he won the first ever Italian treble with Inter Milan.

The Danish (36) are rated better than the Samurais of Japan but Cameroon are still rated much higher than them. Lions’ defender Nicolas N’Koulou said in a press conference:

“I don’t believe that is the right question to ask because it is not important for me to know what Denmark’s strengths are.”

Denmark
Denmark is also an unexperienced team at the grandest stage of football. Appearing in the World Cup just four times in 14 attempts. Their best performance was their quarterfinal exit in France 1998 at the expense of Brazil’s progress.

Denmark was placed in Group C alongside France, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. Beat the Arabs in their opening fixture 1-0, drew with South Africa 1-1 and failed to match up to a star-studded French side but lost just two goals to one.

Roung of 16 was a relatively easy fixture for the Danes as they scored four goals against Nigeria and giving away just a consolation goal. Consequently, they landed in the quarterfinals only to have their dream of World Cup progress taken away from them by a mighty Brazilian side. Goals from the phenomenal Bebeto and Rivaldo were enough to edge past Denmark 3-2.

Following their 8th position in 1998, 2002 saw them head home in the Round of 16 and they could not make it to Germany 2006.

South Africa 2010 could mean a group stage exit unless their Arsenal ace Nicklas Bendtner, Liverpool defender Daniel Agger and Stoke City shot-stopper Thomas Sorensen can put up with a Cameroonian side who feel the need to perform in this World Cup more than ever as it is being held on the African soil for the first time ever.

As I mentioned before, Cameroon are rated higher than Denmark but we have been told time and time again that it doesn’t matter how bigger and better a team is if they can’t perform on the day.

Head-to-Head
The two teams are quite nicely balanced on the head-to-head record. They have met twice in 2002 and 1998 and both times in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1998, Denmark beat Cameroon 2-1 and in 2002, Cameroon beat Denmark 2-1.

Prediction
1-0 to Cameroon. Simple as that. They might not go through to the Round of 16 but they should take the win today.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Good afternoon all, and welcome once again to the daily World Cup column on Soccerlens, where you can sate all your World Cup needs in one easy-to-swallow dose.

Here’s the best of today’s South African-hued tidbits…

(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 2-0 Denmark…

An own-goal, unfairly attributed to Daniel Agger, helped the Netherlands to an opening game win over Denmark in Soccer City yesterday.

The teams seemed fairly evenly matched throughout the first-half, with the slick Dutch attack finding it hard to find it’s way past a resolute Danish defence.

The Oranje made a crucial breakthrough just minutes after the break, when Simon Poulsen‘s botched headed clearance struck Liverpool defender Agger’s back, bounced past a rooted Thomas Sorensen and into the back of the net via the inside of the post.

The Netherlands then sealed what was, in truth, a fairly pedestrian victory when substitute Eljero Elia clipped a shot against the post after racing on to a Wesley Sneijder throughball, only for Dirk Kuyt to routinely dispatch the rebound.

Highlights…

Read Jonathon Feyerherm‘s Netherlands v Denmark match report.

Japan 1-0 Cameroon…

Japan got their campaign off to a surprising winning start after edging out Cameroon in a cagey (to put it awfully politely) affair in Bloemfontein in yesterday’s ‘middle’ fixture.

Japan took the lead as half-time beckoned when Keisuke Honda slotted home at the far post, after finding himself with enough space to bring down Dalsuke Matsui‘s looped cross.

Neither team created much in the way of goal-scoring chances but Cameroon were unlucky not to equalise in the dying stages when Stephen Mbia crashed a powerful long-range effort off the Japanese crossbar.

Highlights…

Read the Japan v Cameroon match summary.

Italy 1-1 Paraguay…

Defending champions Italy had to come from a goal behind to earn a barely-deserved point against Paraguay in the opening game of Group F in Cape Town last night.

The Azzuri fell behind in the 39th minute when Wigan Athletic new-boy Antolin Alcaraz nudged Paraguay in front by heading home Aureliano Torres‘ wickedly sweeping freekick.

Italy then suffered a potentially huge injury blow at half-time when their influential ‘keeper, Gianluigi Buffon, had to be replaced after suffering back pain due to a flare up of an ongoing sciatic nerve problem.

Paraguay started the second-half in relative comfort until a momentary lapse saw ‘keeper Justo Villar gift Italy an equaliser. After rushing out to misguidedly punch a corner, Villar watched the ball sail over his head only to be smashed into the net by Daniele De Rossi from close range.

Italy then finished the game on top, but failed to make things click in the final third, restricted instead to long-range pot shots.

Highlights…

Watch the best of the action from Italy v Paraguay.

Useless trivia of the day…

“Italy are the only nation to draw all 3 group games and go on to lift the cup. They did this in 1982 and beat Brazil in the final with Paolo Rossi scoring a hatrick. Rossi had been recalled to the national side after a ban for alleged match fixing.”

Much love to SL reader Gerry McCairn for that gem. Smells like an omen to me!

Der Kaiser blasts England…

Former Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has offered a withering assessment of England’s playing style after being subjected to their wholly woeful performance in the opening Group C game against the USA on Saturday.

England’s lumpen performance obviously failed to impress Beckenbauer, who described the Three Lions’ display as ‘a reversion to the bad old days’ in his column for South African newspaper The Times;

“What I saw of the English against the USA had very little to do with football.

It looked to me as if the English have gone backwards into the bad old days of kick and rush.”

The 64-year-old also added that there may not be much Fabio Capello can do about England’s moribund style, given the dearth of options available to him;

“I am not sure if the England coach Capello can still change much there.

The English are being punished for the fact that there are very few English players in the Premier League as clubs use better foreign players from all over the world.”

Now, I have to say that I pretty much agree with Der Kaiser on this one. Sitting through the England’s hoof-fest of a display was ulcer-formingly frustrating and down-right demoralising.

However, one thing I would point out to ol’ Franz is, although Germany’s 4-0 dismantling of Australia was very impressive and a joy to behold, three goals from a couple of Poles and a Brazilian hardly smacks of ‘homegrown talent’ now does it?

Dirty laundry…

The strip that England were due to wear in there upcoming game against Algeria was subject to a ‘dirty protest’ yesterday, when a sewage pipe at their Bafokeng Head-quarters leaked all over the kit that had just been washed, pressed and neatly folded in preparation for Friday’s clash.

An FA spokesman said;

“There are no arrangements for a change of kit for Cape Town. The strip has been re-cleaned. There was no real problem or alarms.”

Phew! I was worried that there may have been a real problem or alarm for a minute there.

After their stinker against the Yankee-doodle-Dandy’s t’other eve, the fact that England’s kit got covered in sh*t seems fairly fitting, doesn’t it?

Vuvuzela free coverage?

The BBC are investigating the possibility of offering World Cup viewers a ‘vuvuzela-free’ coverage option via the red button;

“While the BBC are committed to reflecting the atmosphere within the stadiums on their main coverage, they could also offer a ‘clean’ feed that wipes coverage of most crowd noise.”

(Quotes taken from The Guardian.)

The broadcasting company are said to have received nearly 550 complaints from viewers about the constant drone of the South African horns, with many people feeling they are ‘being forced’ into listening to the optional Radio 5 live commentary because of the cleaner feed.

I can’t help but think that the Beeb’s efforts should really be channelled in to providing us with a ‘Mark Bright-free’ feed instead.

Ambush…

FIFA threw 36 female, mini-skirt clad fans out of Holland’s game against Denmark yesterday accusing them of ‘promoting an unlicensed beer’.

The women were accused of ‘ambush marketing’ as FIFA only allow promotional activity from brands that have official sponsor status.

Peer Swinkels, a spokesman for the beer brand in question said (presumably through the side of his mouth);

“It’s a nice dress. Very fashionable, in my opinion, people should have the right to wear whatever they want.”

It’s good to know Sepp and co. are always out there fighting the evils that constantly threaten to undermine our beloved sport!

Drogba cast away…

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba has received special dispensation from referee Jorge Larrionda (the official that will take charge of Ivory Coast’s first game against Portugal tomorrow) to play whilst wearing a protective cast on his injured arm.

The cast also had to be run past Portuguese officials at a ‘match co-ordination meeting’, but the delegation also deemed it safe for Drogba to use.

Drogba fractured his arm in a pre-World Cup game against Japan and was thought to be a major doubt to regain his fitness in time, but it would now appear that the Chelsea forward will feature for Les Elephants.

Quote of the day…

“I don’t know what I have done to Lippi, maybe he doesn’t like my personality. Others got picked, I didn’t. I would be happy if Italy wins, but I will not be happy for Lippi.”

Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano isn’t bitter about his omission from the Azzurri squad or anything.

And in other news…

FIFA have again reiterated their faith in the new Jabulani ball, despite everybody who’s been with ten feet of it claiming it to be the worst football ever produced by anyone EVER. (BBC Sport)

Good news for England as both Wayne Rooney and Ashley Cole have returned to training. (F365)

The company that produce England ‘keeper Rob Green‘s goalie gloves have vowed not to ‘drop him’ (do I detect a hint of irony?) following his blunder against the US. (Telegraph)

Soccerlens Fantasy Football

Fancy winning yourself £1600? Give the Soccerlens World Cup Fantasy Football Challenge a try then.

There are also some pretty significant runners-up prizes on offer, so it’s well worth a go.

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…

• Gigi Buffon: ‘I Hope That It Doesn’t To Me, Even In My Worst Nightmare

• Is This The Worst World Cup Ever?

• Soccerlens World Cup Podcast: Green And Capello Madness

• Two Footed Tackle Podcast: Episode 53

From Soccerlens.com - Football News