The world awaits its fate…

Charlize_Theron_280_940205a32 countries. 1 dream. 1 goal. To win the World Cup.

Buckle-up football fans. The greatest show on earth is upon us and the journey evolves this Friday as the World Cup draw takes place in South Africa. Two years of playing, watching, battling, scoring, missing, hoping, kicking and even a little cheating has come to its end. If you’re in, you’re in. If you’re out, you’re out. There are no more chances. There are no more dress rehearsals. This time, it’s show time. And who better to lead the celebrations at Friday’s event than Academy Award winner and South African native Charlize Theron. Finally we have an excuse to post a picture of one of the world’s most beautiful women…even if she is holding a Chelsea shirt for the cameras! We’ll forgive you this once Charlize, but don’t let us catch you a second time.

The World Cup draw is always full of pleasant surprises and it’s especially tasty when old foes are drawn against each other and when David vs Goliath type games shock the world and take our collective breaths away.

Are you excited for Friday’s draw? Who is your dark horse for the tournament? Which country do you want your country to avoid? Which player will shine as the world’s best? Can you believe the World Cup is almost here again?

The great escape…

Diego_Maradona_682x_906254aArgentina look like they might just be heading for South Africa after all. With only 30 seconds left on the clock, Martin Palermo netted a dramatic winner to help his country beat Peru 2-1. The goal sent the Buenos Aires crowd into hysteria and coach Diego Maradona celebrated by sliding across the pitch on his newly trimmed stomach. After a nightmare qualifying campaign, Maradona and his team dodged yet another major bullet on their path towards the biggest prize in football. The World Cup.

I for one am pleased. I couldn’t imagine a World Cup without Argentina. I know that might sound strange coming from a Brit, but the World Cup is all about showcasing and watching the best players and teams in the world. Argentina bring a flare and sexy style of football to the world stage that we all love to soak up. And with national hero and football legend Diego Maradona leading them, it makes the South American outfit that much more interesting to watch.

Maradona certainly hasn’t made things easy since becoming manager and there are many who think his talents are best suited to playing rather than coaching. But despite his flaws and forgetting about his ghastly Hand of God act in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, you can’t help but root for the potential story that could unfold if Maradona takes this team deep into next summer’s competition. What if he wins the World Cup as manager? What would his legacy be then?

Don’t you think the World Cup would be better with Argentina in it? Will they beat Uruguay on Wednesday? Is Diego Maradona the man to lead them to the finals?

Who said they couldn’t play together…?

39_Frank_Lampard_ce_885472aEngland have qualified for the World Cup. That’s right people. After the nation wallowed in misery following Steve McClaren’s inability to get the team to Euro 2008, the Italian maestro that is Fabio Capello has whipped the opposition in group play and is ready to march the Queen’s men to South Africa with a potential perfect winning record!

It’s coming home, it’s coming home, it’s coming, the World Cup’s coming home! Or is it?

It’s quite incredible to think how Capello has instilled confidence and belief in an England team that was in tatters when he took over. And who said Lampard and Gerrard couldn’t play together? Capello has them firing on all cylinders as they both scored a brace to help England thump Croatia 5-1. Lampard in particular was exceptionally impressive in this game. Under Capello’s guidance, Lampard is even winning over the England fans again with his passionate play and willingness to step up and take penalties for the team. These two players could be a major key to England’s success next summer.

Whenever England qualify for the World Cup, the nation’s expectations raise to all kinds of ridiculous levels. However, as an England fan myself, this time it feels different. This time there is a genuine believable air about the team. This time you can actually feel real confidence. This time you know the team is in good hands with Capello. This time, it really appears as though England have a superb chance at winning the World Cup. This time, even if it comes down to penalties, the England team we’ve been watching over the last year might just do a little better than what we have experienced in the past. Is this England’s time?

England have the players that can cause problems. Aaron Lennon is having his best season yet and he definitely has the ability to wreak some serious havoc with his pace. As long as he keeps his crosses in check, he’ll be okay! I would play him miles before Shaun Wright Phillips in that role. Gareth Barry has fast become Mr.Reliable in midfield and England won’t want to be without him when they catch the plane to South Africa. Together with players like Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney and Cole, they have the potential to heap some serious damage and chaos on opposing teams. These players that under achieved with McClaren are now playing their hearts out for England as they do for their clubs. Capello always believed that if you are in form for your club team, that can transcend just as easily to the national team. The Italian has found a way to do that.

If you were manager, who would be in your starting XI for England? What do you think of England’s chances? Do they have what it takes to win the big one?

The prayers worked…

us_woes_soccersffembeddedprod_affiliate138After a dismal start to the Confederations Cup, the United States soccer team needed some serious inspiration from God to help them change their spiritless ways. Their prayers were answered as they battled to beat the world’s #1 ranked team Spain 2-0 in South Africa! The United States are in the final of the Confederations Cup. Wow!

Just a few days ago this team played some horrendous football. They were truly awful. No guts. No fight. No nothing. Last night the transformation was undeniable. They grafted, they worked as a team, they took their chances and they defended like gladiators. Spain were denied over and over. Stars and stripes were flying in front of every ball. They were inspired.

Men’s U.S. Soccer was back. The players played like men. They challenged some of the world’s best and came out victorious. The spirit was back. Ah that American spirit. The soccer world witnessed a heart and soul performance.

Now can the U.S. team go one better and beat Brazil? If so, does this give the U.S. a fighting chance in the World Cup? Should Coach Bradley stay on as manager and lead this team to the World Cup? Who would you make as captain of the U.S. team? Was this a fluke?

Come on England, Come on England…

_41379954_threelionsbadge2201Start looking into deals for South Africa kids. England made it 5 out of 5 wins in the World Cup Qualifiers by beating the Ukraine 2-1 at Wembley. Skipper John Terry scored a late winner to help guide the team one step closer to South Africa. Could this be the time? Could this be our fate? Capello has got England playing like champs. We’ve looked special throughout the group stages and even when we’ve been less than special, we’ve won! Sven and McLaren found it hard to win when we played like a pub team. Good job they’re not in charge anymore!

The Italian maestro is conducting his orchestra beautifully. The English players trust him. They want to succeed. He can give them success and they are willing to do it his way to fulfill their boyhood dreams. Who would you take on the non-commercial flight out to South Africa. Who deserves a shot at kissing the World Cup? Pack ’em or Leave ’em? It’s never too early to start the fantasy…