Now that the World Cup is over and the players are returning home for a couple of weeks of vacation and then joining their respective clubs for training and the pre-season. Managers will looking at the players that out-shone the cream of club football.

Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were nowhere to be seen and to some extent neither was Lionel Messi. But what we did get to see was some exceptional young talent plying their trade somewhere away from the shine and galore of Premier League.

All has been said about the German youngsters, Thomas Muller became the joint top scorer and with two more assists than the rest, sweeps the Golden Boot from comparatively more established players like David Villa, Wesley Sneijder and Diego Forlan.

Everything has been said about Mesut Ozil. I can go on and on with tacky cliches but the fact of the matter is, Ozil was the most creative player in the World Cup. And it’s not just a claim, I can back it up with statistics: Mesut Ozil of Germany created 18 chances from open play.

Second to him is Kevin-Prince Boateng of Ghana and Robin van Persie of Netherlands with 17 each. Not far behind is the Spanish maestro Xavi with 15.

Asamoah Gyan. The man who hit the crossbar when Ghana needed him the most. If Gyan was playing for a bigger footballing nation, I can bet his career would’ve hit rock-bottom right then and there. But since, Ghana was in the quarterfinals and they were thought to be over-achieving, it was okay for him to hit the crossbar.

Because of that, I believe some managers might show interest in the Stade Rennais man. After all, he got the most shots on goals with 27 and scored thrice. Second to him was David Villa with 25, followed by another star with a bright future, Luis Suarez with 23.

Reaching the semifinal was icing on the cake for Suarez after a very successful season with Ajax. Although, he’s going to be the guy who handled the ball on the goal-line to prevent a goal but he also netted three goals for Uruguay including both goals in the Round of 16 victory against South Korea.

He made six appearances in the World Cup and scored thrice with two assists – a goal coming every 181 minutes he was on the field. Not a very good record for a striker, I know but compare that with his performance over the last season. Luis Suarez scored 35 goals in 33 games with 17 assists and a goal every 85 minutes. Even better, in the Dutch Cup, he scored eight goals in six games with a goal every 56 minutes.

Keisuke Honda completed a move to the Russian outfit CSKA Moscow in January and don’t be surprised if you see him move again in the summers. He was involved in 75% of his team’s goals in the World Cup.

Honda only made four appearances for Japan, made eight attempts on goal with 38% accuracy and converted every fourth chance he got; in simple words, scored two goals in eight shots. He also created six chances for his teammates and one of his teammates found the net.

After not making it into the German side, Kevin-Prince Boateng debuted for Ghana a month before the World Cup. As his current club, Portsmouth, is heavily indebted and relegated to League One, both the player and the club will happily accept probably any offer from any Premier League or any other European club.

Boateng not only created a chance every 27 minutes but also covered his defensive duties well – making 12 interceptions and winning 18 of his 20 tackles.

Another interesting play-making prospect is Alexis Sanchez of Chile, who was the second most frequent chance-creator at the World Cup (one every half an hour).

All the credit is given to Luis Suarez and the Golden Ball winning Diego Forlan who scored eight goals between them but the key factor that the Uruguayan strikers was so successful was because their defense was efficient. They only conceded twice on their way to the last four.

The man who was responsible for the efficiency at the back was their holding midfielder Diego Perez. The AS Monaco man did a great job in protecting the back four and ended with the man with the most interceptions and tackles at the World Cup.

He made 35 interceptions and 41 tackles. Egidio Arevalo Rios (also Uruguayan) made the second most interceptions with 34 and Sergio Busquets of Spain was third with 27. Dutchman Mark van Bommel made 35 tackles, most of which were dirty, and again Arevalo is right up there with 27 tackles.

Although Slovenia was inched out of the group stages by USA and England, but Auxerre midfielder Valter Birsa was on another level as compared to the rest of his team. He put in 20 crosses/corners, eight more than the second, Andraz Kim. And he had four shots on target, the rest who made an attempt, have one each.

Similarly for the Slovaks, they managed to make it to the Round of 16 at the expense of Italy, Marek Hamsik was the clear leader statistically. He created nine chances, four more than the second place Vladimir Weiss. He also has eleven more successful passes in the opposition’s halfat 71 but he’s tied on crosses delivered with Miroslave Stoch on nine.

Another Ghanian, Andre Ayew was quite active with his crossing accuracy at 39%, second only to the Brazilian Daniel Alves (46%). The 20 year old Marseille winger was also third on the frequency of creating chances with one every 32 minutes or so. He is said to be a target of Bayern Munich already.

With La Liga starting on 28th August, the Premier League starting two weeks earlier, Bundesliga and Serie A also starting around the same time, there are chances that you will get to see at least some of these players every week on your TV screens. They have put up performances in South Africa that are worthy of some interest.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

With so many of the ‘big guns’ misfiring at this summer’s World Cup, I thought it was high time to take a look at some of the ‘lesser lights’ that have sparkled in South Africa.

Below are the 20 players that, although having seen their sides crash (some more spectacularly than others) out of the tournament prematurely, can fly home from whichever luxury hotel they may have chosen to hole up in, with their heads held high – safe in the knowledge that their careers are very much on an upward trajectory…

(Please remember that players can only qualify to feature on the list if they have already been eliminated from the competition.)

Eduardo – Portugal, Braga: The Portuguese ‘keeper came into the World Cup with an impeccable record, and left the competition with his reputation intact – having only conceded one goal.

Jan Mucha – Slovakia, Legia Warsaw/Everton: As the tournament rumbled on, it became increasingly clear why Everton manager David Moyes had moved so early to secure Mucha’s signature. Brave, athletic and composed, you can be certain that the Slovak will not be content to merely provide back-up for Tim Howard at Goodison Park.

Vincent Enyeama – Nigeria, Hapoel Tel Aviv: Produced a man-of-the-match performance in the Super Eagles’ opening tie with Argentina, heroically limiting Diego Maradona‘s men to a single goal, and then produced a string of fine saves in the games thereafter. Destined to move on to bigger and better things next season.

Ricardo Carvalho – Portugal, Chelsea: It sounds a little strange to include a proven international-class defender on this list, but that’s entirely the point. Carvalho faced stern criticism during the tail end of last season, with many detractors claiming that he just couldn’t cut it at the highest levels anymore. However, the Chelsea man proved his doubters wrong after enjoying a solid World Cup in the heart of the Portuguese defense.

Simon Kjaer – Denmark, Palermo: Whereas his side struggled to find momentum, Kjaer was up-and-running from the off. Cultured on the ball and determined off it, it’s little wonder that a host of European sides are chasing his signature this summer.

Lee Jung-Soo – South Korea, Kashima Antlers: Any defender that notches two goals at a World Cup finals is worthy of note, but the rangy South Korean centre-back’s aerial prowess was just as effective at the other end of the pitch.

Marcus Tulio Tanaka – Japan, Nagoya Grampus: The player with the most elaborate hair at the finals repeatedly put his body on the line for his country, taking his life into his own hands at times!

Ryan Nelsen – New Zealand, Blackburn: Nelsen is one of those ‘dying breed’ defenders that literally give their all to prevent the ball crossing their goal-line. His heroic non-shall-pass display against Italy alone is enough to earn him a place on this list.

Francisco Rodriguez – Mexico, PSV: A classy, ball-playing centre-back is a rare commodity and, as such, Rodriguez is already being linked with a move to more salubrious surroundings this summer.

Carlos Salcido – Mexico, PSV: Another Dutch-based Mexican. Salcido is one of those players that you were always aware of, but never really sure why – until about a fortnight ago. To say that he never stops running is an insulting understatement, and it’s this tireless flank-play coupled with his tenacious defending that stands him out from the crowd.

Fabio Coentrao – Portugal, Benfica: In a word, ‘effervescent’. His constant energy went a long way to buoying a Portugal side that was seemingly liable to implode at any moment – thanks largely to the constant protestations of a certain pampered ‘superstar’. Despite only breaking into the Benfica first string this season, 22-year-old Coentrao will almost definitely be moving to one of the Spanish big boys this summer.

Jeremy Toulalan – France, Lyon: To include a French player may seem a little wide-of-the-mark, but you can’t escape the fact that Toulalan was immense in Les Bleus’ opening game against Uruguay. One of the few members of Raymond Domenech‘s squad that honestly deserves to come out of the World Cup with at least a few shreds of dignity left.

Cheik Tiote – Ivory Coast, Twente: The 24-year-old holding man really impressed as a destructive entity in Les Elephants midfield. He held his position with discipline, allowing the slightly more adventurous Yaya Toure to sporadically join the attack. A clutch of Premier League clubs are already said to be tailing the former Anderlecht man.

Giovani Dos Santos – Mexico, Tottenham: Having become an almost forgotten figure at White Hart Lane since being farmed out on loan to Galatasaray, ‘Gio’ has persuaded many Spurs supporters that he is worthy of another chance – following some enterprising performances on the right-hand side of El Tri‘s forward line.

Valter Birsa – Slovenia, Auxerre: The 23-year-old forward was his country’s single outstanding attack-minded player in South Africa, and cemented that fact with a wonderfully dispatched goal against the USA.

Landon Donovan – USA, L.A Galaxy: Probably the highest-profile player on this list thanks to his celebrity status. After becoming somewhat of a novelty figure within European footballing circles a few years ago (following his failed stints in Germany), Donovan is starting to prove his sceptics wrong. His successful loan spell at Everton last season convinced many that the 28-year-old is now finally ready to make the leap into top-level football, and his goal-scoring exploits in South Africa can only serve to reinforce that opinion.

Alexis Sanchez – Chile, Udinese: The winger came into the tournament with a burgeoning reputation as ‘one to watch’ and did not let the almost ubiquitous hype weigh him down. Another player seemingly destined for a big money move this summer.

Lee Chung-Yong – South Korea, Bolton: The skillful winger impressed many neutrals in his first season in the Premier League last term, and quickly became a terrace favourite at the Reebok Stadium. The 21-year-old continued his domestic form seamlessly at the World Cup and even managed to bag himself a couple of goals into the bargain.

Keisuke Honda – Japan, CSKA Moscow: The fact that nearly every single Japanese attack flowed through him at one point or another is testament to his influence on the team. Honda served as a playmaker, a goalscorer, a set-piece specialist, a lone striker and a winger – all with consummate ease.

Javier Hernandez – Mexico, Man Utd: It would appear that Sir Alex Ferguson will have got himself a bit of a bargain if Chicarito continues to play for United like he did for Mexico during the World Cup. Lightning quick, always switched-on and deceptively strong, Hernandez finished the tournament with two goals to his name, despite only starting one game.

So there you go. Feel free to suggest any you think I may have missed…

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Morning all, and welcome to the daily World Cup column on Soccerlens.

There’s a bit of a strange hush falling across the planet today, as we face the first football-less day in nearly three weeks – and I tell ya, it just don’t feel right.

However the good news is, although the action itself is taking a brief hiatus, there are still plenty of happenings and hoo-ha to keep you abreast of!

Here’s your round-up…

(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 Japan (Paraguay win 5-3 on pens)…

Gerardo Martino‘s side stuck away all of their penalties to emerge victorious from the first shoot-out of the 2010 World Cup.

The game itself was terrible. All 120 long, miserable minutes of it.

Both teams laboured to create any chances of note, and when opportunities did arise – the finishing and/or approach play on show left a lot to be desired.

Japanese midfielder Daisuke Matsui was responsible for the game’s standout highlight, when he crashed a first-time effort against the Paraguayan cross bar from all of 25 yards.

Even as the tie entered extra-time, neither side was willing to gamble and penalties looked increasingly inevitable – as they had begun to do so from as early as the closing minutes of the first-half.

Both Paraguay and Japan were bidding to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup for the first time in their history and, when Oscar Cardozo rolled home his country’s fifth consecutive spot-kick, it was the South Americans who eventually entered their names in the record books.

Highlights…

Read the Paraguay v Japan match report.

Quote of the day…

“The players and the bench were united and showed the world the potential of Japanese soccer. I sincerely congratulate their efforts.”

Japanese prime minister Naoto Kan, no less!

Spain 1-0 Portugal…

The reigning European champions booked their place in the last 8 courtesy of yet another decisive goal from golden-boot candidate David Villa – the Barcelona striker’s fourth of the tournament so far.

Once again Spain monopolised the possession during the first-half, endlessly looking to create thoroughfares for themselves by pulling the Portuguese defence out of position with slick, short passing – but Carlos Queiroz‘s side, despite not seeing as much of the ball, created just as many chances to seize the lead.

Cristiano Ronaldo tested Iker Casillas‘ handling with two long-range freekicks before Tiago let fly with a ripping 20-yard effort that caused mayhem in the Spanish six-yard box.

Casillas could only scoop the Portuguese midfielder’s powerful shot high into the air, and then had to scramble clear at the second attempt after being put under pressure by rangy forward Hugo Almeida.

Vicente Del Bosque‘s men also had their fair share of opportunities to nudge in front, Villa stinging Eduardo‘s fingertips with three near-identical shots and Fernando Torres going close on a couple of occasions before fading badly as the game progressed.

Spain were lucky not to concede almost directly after the restart, when Almeida’s aimless cross clipped Carles Puyol‘s shin and span up and over Casillas, only to bobble just wide of the far post.

Soon after, the struggling Torres was replaced up-front by Fernando Llorente and the Athletic Bilbao striker nearly broke the deadlock with his first touch, but instead failed to guide his point-blank diving header past Eduardo.

Spain then pressed determinedly, and finally got the goal their enterprise deserved when Villa, after seeing his initial effort saved, clipped the rebound in off the underside of the crossbar.

Portuguese ‘keeper Eduardo, who has an impeccable international record, then produced fine saves from Sergio Ramos and Villa late in the game – but a single goal eventually proved to be the crucial difference between the Iberian rivals.

A minute from time, Portugal were reduced to ten men, when Ricardo Costa saw red for an innocuous off-the-ball ‘clash’ with Joan Capdevila.

Highlights…

Read the Spain v Portugal match report.

‘Paraguay deserved to win’…

After their dire quarter-final shout-out victory over Japan, Paraguayan coach Gerardo Martino insisted his side ‘deserved to win’ – due to their prevailing willingness to attack (although you could have fooled me!).

“It’s never nice for a match to be decided in this way [penalties] but I think we sought the win a little more. I think we were lucky in the penalty shoot-out, that made the difference.”

Martino accepted that the game wasn’t the spectacle it perhaps should have been but, with so much riding on it, he also understands that both teams  had adopted cagey tactics with good reason;

“Perhaps it wasn’t the match people wanted to see but I don’t think either team has anything to reproach themselves for.

When you look at how the players played, the solidarity they showed, their enthusiasm, their will to make the history books, both teams did it the same way.

To speak of an achievement in getting to the quarter-finals is all right, but to consider this my greatest achievement is, I think, a bit premature.”

After seeing off Japan, the Guaranies will now face Spain in the last 8 of the World Cup.

Okada may step down…

It is an altogether different story in the Japanese camp, as their World Cup second round defeat has left coach Takeshi Okada (who, pre-tournament, had targeted a place in the semi-finals) considering his future at the helm;

“I don’t think I have anything left to do now, probably. It’s my responsibility, we did not insist enough.

When I look back at what I could have done for the players and what I did as a head coach I should have been more insistent on winning.”

Okada has taken full responsibility for his team’s shortcomings, insisting that none of the blame lies with his players – who did themselves, and their country, proud;

“They represented Japan and also Asia as a whole and they played until the end so I’m proud of them.

I was not able to make them win, that’s my responsibility, I did not make them eager enough.”

And here’s me thinking they did quite well.

FA board backing Capello?

Football Association board member Phil Gartside (who is also the chairman of Bolton Wanderers) has broken ranks and come out in support of under-fire England coach Fabio Capello.

After his side’s dismal showing at this summer’s World Cup, Capello is facing pressure from all and sundry to step down – but it would appear that Gartside (and others on the FA board) are in favour of retaining the Italian as coach, telling BBC Sport that England ‘have the right man’.

The Trotters chief is also reported to have insisted to the Beeb that Capello is not to blame for England’s failures in South Africa and that at least two other members of the 11-man board are openly backing the 64-year-old tactician to see out his two-year contract extension;

“It’s not his fault. He’s done a good job, he needs to get on with it. I hope he stays and I think he will stay.

It’s not about the money. We have to be strong. It’s not the fans who have an issue, it’s the press.”

Despite telling a press conference on Monday that he intends to stay on as England coach, Capello now faces an anxious two-week wait as the FA deliberate on his immediate future.

One of the strong potential candidates to replace Capello, Roy Hodgson, has officially ruled himself out of the running – and is fully expected to be appointed as the new Liverpool manager by the end of the week.

‘Lampard goal’ officials axed by FIFA…

The Uruguayan officials that disallowed Frank Lampard‘s ‘goal’ against Germany have been sent home by FIFA, after president Sepp Blatter was forced to apologise to the English FA for the decision.

Referee Jorge Larrionda and his assistants Mauricio Espinosa and Pablo Fandino have been told that they will not be retained for the quarter-final stages and beyond, following their inexplicable call to scratch Lampard’s effort – despite the ball clearly bouncing a yard behind the goal-line.

Spitting games…

What a thoroughly detestable human being.

After losing out to Spain last night, prissy diva Cristiano Ronaldo responds to defeat in the only way his miopic ego can fathom – by spitting at a cameraman.

Given his shooting accuracy in South Africa, he probably drove his flob miles over the cameraman’s head anyway!

Speaking of CR7, consider this…

Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery, Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba, Fabio Cannavaro and, to a lesser extent, Ronaldinho and Theo Walcott. What do all these players have in common?

Well, firstly, they were all part of a ‘certain sportswear company’s’ million-dollar star-studded ‘Write The Future‘ pre-World Cup advert campaign.

Secondly, they’ve all been abjectly rubbish/utterly disappointing during their time in South Africa, and that’s if they even made it to the tournament to begin with!

The execs of a ‘certain sportswear company’ must be kicking themselves! All I’ll say is that Gael Garcia Bernal better start sleeping with one eye open.

Could it really be a curse?

Other quote of the day…

“Having seen the England games, I genuinely believe had Scotland been there, we would have done at least as well with the team we have at the moment and the manager we have.”

Former Scotland boss Craig Brown.

And in other news…

Ashley Cole hates playing for England, apparently. (The Sun)

It looks like the incident that saw a fan breach security and enter the England dressing room after the Algeria game may have been a tabloid hoax. Sunday Mirror (who else?) reporter Simon Wright has been arrested after allegedly orchestrating the stunt. (BBC)

The inventor of the ‘Hawk-Eye’ replay system used in cricket and tennis, Paul Hawkins, has claimed that the technology could easily be utilised within football, and would be ’100% accurate and effectively free’ for Premier League teams to install. (F365)

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

The next upcoming (Friday 2nd July) round is as follows:

• Netherlands vs Brazil

• Uruguay vs Ghana

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…

• Diego Maradona: There Is A Method To His Madness

• Diego Maradona Has Been A Breath Of Fresh Air In This World Cup

• Premier League Football Doesn’t Cut It At This Level

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Read the Paraguay v Spain preview.

Paraguay 0-0 (5-3) Japan
2010 FIFA World Cup
29 June 2010

It would go down to a penalty shoot-out in the penultimate round of 16 match as Paraguay edged Japan.

The match didn’t have many chances during the first 90 minutes or extra time as both teams were a bit cautious. Paraguay had more possession but Japan were able to produce some decent chances. As the remained scoreless into extra time, both teams took few chances and seemed content to let it go to penalty kicks.

In the penalty kicks, both sides would convert their first round and their second round. It was 2-2 until Uruguay’s Cristian Riveros made it 3-2 which put the pressure back on Japan. Yuichi Komano stepped up to take it but would miss it as it bounced off the crossbar. That would prove to be the difference as Uruguay converted their final two kicks to win 5-3.

The win gives Paraguay its first trip to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in the country’s history and the winner of Spain or Portugal in that round. For Japan, it’s a tough loss but they are a team on the rise as well as the entire AFC region.

Paraguay 0-0 (5-3) Japan Goal Videos

Penalty Shoot-out

See all 2010 World Cup Video Highlights.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Paraguay vs Japan
Round of 16, 2010 World Cup
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
1500 (BST) / 1600 (Local Time)

Watch Paraguay vs Japan live online.

Match Preview
Paraguay’s knockout opponents will be group E runners up Japan. After looking at the performances of the latter, I would have to fancy them. One loss because of a freaky looking shot against the Dutch, along with two quite deserved wins puts them in great stead in my opinion.

They have one thing that Paraguay don’t have as well, a titanic playmaker like Keisuke Honda. Honda was absolutely sublime against an admittedly poor Denmark, and he has made himself a household name outside of Moscow and Japan. Japanese football is getting a name for itself anyway, shining brightly in a potentially difficult group which I fancied one of Denmark or Cameroon to qualify from.

However Paraguay are competing at their fourth world cup finals on the trot (like Japan) and there has been a feeling that they are progressing as a nation for a while.

Paraguay
This is Paraguay’s eighth appearance in the World Cup. Their best performance came in the very first version of the World Cup in 1930 when they stood ninth. They have failed to progress from the Round of 16 and this might be their best opportunity to do so.

In the qualification matches for the 2010 World Cup, Paraguay beat Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay and they they stood third in their group behind Brazil and Chile.

They were drawn in Group F alongside Italy, Slovakia and New Zealand. Paraguay emerged on top of the group with five points. Drawing 1-1 with Italy, comfortably defeating Slovakia 2-0 and drawing 0-0 with New Zealand.

Japan

This is Japan’s fourth World Cup appearance and they co-hosted the tournament in 2002 with South Korea. They were knocked out by Turkey in the Round of 16 and this time around, Paraguay is not going to be an easy opponent.

They were second in their qualification group and they were drawn with Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon in the Group E.The Blue Samurais did not find it hard to progress as they beat Cameroon 1-0 and Denmark 3-1 and only losing to Netherlands 1-0.

Head-to-Head
Paraguay and Japan have officially faced each other six times in the past and Paraguay have had the better of Japan.

Watch Netherlands v Slovakia Live Online
You can watch Netherlands take on Slovakia live online as well as all other World Cup matches, plus hundreds of football games from around the world. Read our live World Cup football page for more details.

Prediction
Japan 2-1 Paraguay

Thanks to Scullion David for the match review and prediction.

Also See: Soccerlens’ 2010 World Cup Second Round Preview.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

So here we are….2 weeks and 48 games into South Africa 2010 and if I had to sum up the World Cup so far I’d say it has been nothing but a load of balls! Or to be more specific…..a load of Jabulanis!

Yes, I realize that this has been debated to death but the outcry seems to have died down as the competition has progressed……..probably because those who objected so vociferously at the outset realise, not for the first time, that when it comes to legitimate protests to the FIFA hierarchy you’re time is more productively spent climbing Table Mountain in wintertime and taking a relieving piss into the wind.

As usual, it’s all about money with FIFA. We could rake over the logic of introducing a new version of the most critical object in the game for the showcase tournament, and one of the biggest sporting events on the planet; and we could debate the process for approving the output of such projects, but why bother?

Football has long since prostituted itself to the mighty dollar and no doubt this particular process involved Blatter and countless other FIFA executives scoring freely, as Adidas ensured that all the right balls were massaged it tying-up this multi million dollar farce.

And of course all the feel good factors were tied in. Jabulani is the Zulu word for ‘celebrate’. Ironic that……I wonder what the Zulu word(s) for ‘high wide and handsome’ is (are)? The Jabulani has 11 colours incorporated into the design, apparently representing the 11 official languages of South Africa, the 11 communities of South Africa, the 11 players on a team and the fact that this is Adidas’ 11th FIFA World Cup ball.

All very touching I’m sure you’ll agree, but I suspect that the wonderfully hospitable, colourful and musical (Vuvuzelas excepted) South Africans would rather ‘their’ World Cup be remembered as one of the finest in terms of the game itself rather than one where they were patronised by platitudes from a money grabbing monolith who assembled a bunch of suits around a boardroom table (whose cost alone could feed several South African families for a year) to come-up with a touchy feely name for the object that ultimately tainted the entire event.

I mean, you see those close up shots, the innocent faces of those beautiful South African kids in awe at the spectacle unfolding before them and you wonder……is this to be their first real experience of the ‘beautiful game’, seeing the best players in the world only able to hit the target with something like 1 in 10 attempts.

I recently emailed an old friend who I hadn’t heard from in a while and asked him how he was enjoying the World Cup so far. Not one to mince his words….his answer was unequivocal.

“It would be a lot better if they weren’t playing with a fucking balloon!” was his response, and I couldn’t have agreed more.

Maybe I’ve lost the plot on this one? I mean, when I tried to explain it to my “what’s so interesting about 22 guys chasing a piece of leather around a field” wife, her response was a, very objective:

“But it’s round isn’t it, so what’s the problem?” Hmm….time for a beer and a spell on the patio.

But when all is said and done what is the evidence for damning this ball and accusing it of spoiling the competition?

Exhibit 1: I could list or copy the links to all the statements made by players, coaches and other professionals in the game, not to mention the mere mortal fans, but you’ve seen most of that list.

Ivory Coast manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, was one of the most outspoken, calling for a summit meeting… Sven Objects …but it fell on deaf ears. The one thing Sven has wrong in, however, is that it’s not a problem for the goalkeepers. It’s much more of a problem for everyone else! Keepers have had an easy time of it as balls fly everywhere but in their general direction. In fact if you told me that the goalkeepers union had designed this ball I’d have no problem believing you.

Exhibit 2: Last night (depending on your time zone) Japan beat the Danes 3-1. So what!…I hear you say. Well the ‘so what’ is that they scored directly from a free kick….twice! So what? Well after 44 games they were the 2nd and 3rd goals scored directly from free licks in this World Cup! I (almost) rest my case.

Exhibit 3: Ok, I don’t have the stats, but please don’t tell me that you haven’t noticed the legion of over-hit passes, corners, crosses and through balls? I find it endlessly frustrating watching players unable to judge the flight of this ridiculous object, and make no mistake…..the lack of goals, the proliferation of close results, and the many upsets…..are, to my mind anyway,….the direct result of the Jabulani ball. I’m convinced at this point that actual results and group outcomes have been determined by this shocking sphere. And I am the only one who rues the fact that the ball seems to spend more time out of play than in play as a result?

Exhibit 4: Time for a bit of science…as opposed to my tainted ramblings…I hear you cry (ever in touch in my audience me!) Well what really provoked this outpouring was a piece I saw on SBS (Australia) television two days ago. For the youngsters on here, Craig Johnston was a Liverpool player in the 80’s who went on to become Director of Innovation at Adidas. He invented a (supposedly) revolutionary football boot known as ‘the predator’ and knows a bit about the science and dynamics of footballs.

No longer working for Adidas, here is Johnston’s verdict on the Jabulani ball, and he pulls no punches. Having no scientific knowledge whatsoever of what makes a ball ‘tick’ but having observed what I’ve observed so far, I think he’s bang on the money in his assessment: Craig Johnston on the Jabulani

So I rest the case for the prosecution on this excuse for a football. I’m convinced that it favours the defensive minded teams as it’s the shots on goal, corners and crosses that seem most affected….and maybe that’s why we’ve seen so many unexpectedly close games and surprising results so far…….or maybe not….but that’s my theory for what it’s worth.

Then again, maybe all of the above is just an aberration and in the final analysis when you set 22 guys “running around a field after a piece of leather” anything can happen…and probably does….but I just don’t buy that!

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Check out the latest pint size Soccerlens World Cup Podcast with Adrian Clarke & Iain Spragg.

The two journalists study the tactical strengths and weaknesses of England and Germany ahead of their winner takes all clash in Bloemfontein on Sunday, rate Japan and Italy‘s contrasting displays, as well as taking a look at the best (and perhaps only) way to stop Lionel Messi.

Download or listen to the show as soon as you can!

You can listen to this episode below:
Download link (mp3, 17mb, 18 mins)

Make sure you send in your feedback and questions through podcast@soccerlens.com and Clarke and Spragg will feature the best on the next episode.

Subscribe to the Soccerlens World Cup Podcast

You can subscribe via iTunes or directly to the podcast feed.

Also see: World Cup Podcast Archives.

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

Denmark 1-3 Japan
2010 FIFA World Cup
24 June 2010

Japan would move into the knockout stage with a great 3-1 victory over Denmark.

The Asian side started off quickly with goals from Keisuke Honda in the 17th minute. They would extend their 13 minutes later in the first half as Yasuhito Endo made it 2-0.

Denmark would come back in the second half and cut the lead in half as Jon Dahl Tomasson scored in the 81st minute. The Danes needed a win as they had a worse goal difference but wouldn’t get it as Japan would score once again. Shinji Okazaki would make it 3-1 in the 87th minute and seal the win.

It was a convincing performance from Japan who join South Korea as Asian teams to move into the knockout stage. They will face Paraguay in the round of 16.

Denmark 1-3 Japan Goal Videos

All goals (Honda 17′, Endo 30′, Tomasson 81′, Okazaki 87′)

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