World Cup – Page 2 – BRITISH SOCCER {DIVA}

The world awaits its fate…

Charlize_Theron_280_940205a 32 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?

Hand of God Part Deux…

01_cheat_350x475_931628a Thierry Henry is one of the world’s greatest football players. He is undoubtedly one of the best to have played in the Premier League. He has dazzled us with his beautiful football for many years. He has played for some of the world’s biggest football clubs. Last night, he showed us an ugly side to his game. He did something that we are all taught not to do from a young age. He cheated. In fact, he did more than that. He ripped out the hearts of a nation and robbed Ireland of a chance to make it to the World Cup Finals.

I wonder if Thierry Henry can look at himself in the mirror today? And if he can, I wonder what he sees? When I see Henry now, I don’t see the legend. I don’t see the magician. I see a cheat. I see a man who was unable to use his God given talent to help his country win. Instead he stooped to Maradona’s level and just like the Argentine superstar robbed England in the 1986 World Cup with his infamous Hand of God, Henry has now done the same. This time, Ireland are the victims. Since 1986, Maradona’s image has been tarnished because of his actions. People never saw him in the same light and I think Henry will suffer the same consequences.

Millions of football fans around the world saw what happened on the pitch last night. If we could all see it, then why couldn’t the officials? Was this the work of fat cat Blatter and Plantini the snob? Did the executives who head-up our football governing body want to ensure France made it to the World Cup Finals? When something like this happens, we can’t help but think there is something else to it. The handball was so blatant. It was so obvious. It was so disgusting. It shouldn’t have been the deciding factor on such an important night.

Sure Ireland had their chances. They could have finished off the game, but they didn’t. And who knows if they would have won the penalty shoot-out. The point is they were never given the opportunity to get to that point because of an incredibly bad decision by the officials. Boyhood dreams were shattered because someone didn’t do their job. These players have worked hard and tirelessly for their country. It’s more than just the incident itself. It goes beyond what happened on the pitch. I believe a fair result would be for FIFA to arrange a replay of the game. It would set a precedent and perhaps going down this road would open a can of football worms, but surely someone has to be accountable for what happened. The World Cup only comes around every 4 years. The process for qualifying takes 2 years. And in a split second, an entire football team and nation were robbed of the dreams they’ve shared for years as kids and adults.

Did anyone believe we would see the Hand of God Part Deux?

Who needs to be friendly…?

van__persie_682x400_929155a If a country has qualified for the World Cup, why do they have to play a meaningless friendly? Sure the revenue is good for each nation’s savings account but that’s not how some of the world’s biggest football clubs see it. Once again some key players have returned from international duty with injuries that could have been prevented by not scheduling these needless friendlies.

Chelsea and Arsenal must be fuming today. Two of their best players are crocked because of playing in a friendly that didn’t really mean anything. Frank Lampard has a thigh injury that was apparently caused by a cheap charter flight to Qatar, the location for England’s friendly versus Brazil. Why wasn’t that game played at Wembley at least? Why go to Qatar? Andy why are England making their players sit in baby seats while travelling on business to play for Queen and country? Lampard could be out for at least 3 weeks and the London club are seeking compensation from the F.A.. Good for them I say!

Arsenal’s problems however are far graver and greater than Chelsea’s. While on duty for the Netherlands, Arsenal front man Robin van Persie tore his ankle ligaments and the word is he could be out for the rest of the season. If this is true, it’s a major blow to Arsenal and Van Persie personally after he was having a “Player of the Year” type season. One thing is for sure, Italian defender Chiellini will not be on any Arsenal fans Christmas card list this holiday season.

I don’t want to harp on about the friendlies as I do love my international football. But there does come a time when the football governing body has to be responsible to the club as well as the progression of the game on an international level. As football fans, we’ve all been robbed of watching Robin Van Persie play for the rest of the season. And if you are an Arsenal fan, you now have to hope the club can pull through without him. January transfer marketing anyone?

The great escape…

Diego_Maradona_682x_906254a Argentina 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_885472a England 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_affiliate138 After 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_threelionsbadge2201 Start 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…