Video games - An addictive, but not excessive hobbie

By Simon Wright (Personal piece)

AS I sit in my place in Northampton, counting down the days until I go home to Milton Keynes for the best part of two months, I think a bit more about one of my hobbies that I have enjoyed and have entertained me for a long time, the video game.  However, before anyone jumps to any conclusions, it’s only an addictive trait of mine – I’m not one of those freaks who drink gallons of coffee, stare into the TV screen excessively and do permanent damage to my eyesight.  If you have that life, then that’s fine, but it must cost an absolute fortune in prescription glasses, so I hope it’s worth it!

     I remember my first console machine, which was the Sega Mega Drive.  Playing classic games like Sonic the Hedgehog, NFL 93, running rings around American football teams with the Miami Dolphins and the early FIFA games, which let’s face it, were terrible, as the players looked like mushrooms and the football was a paper ball, when you could make a better version in nursery!  Nevertheless, the Mega Drive was a great breakthrough in gaming technology and ultimately, Sega’s best attempt at a console.  The Dreamcast was an utter disaster and as for Sega Saturn, I don’t have any words to describe that are nicer than rubbish!

     My view of gaming changed in 1997, through one of the most powerful slogans I can remember and one of the best TV commercials I ever saw.  The ‘Double Life’ Playstation ad really spoke to me.  Sony had created a monster as far as I was concerned and what I mean by that, that’s a monster of beauty.  I mean, who couldn’t be appealed by ‘Do Not Underestimate the Power of PlayStation.’  I certainly didn’t and through the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 – I was blessed with Sony games for the next 12 years.  I have every single Formula One title, got appealed by Crash Bash, drove like a maniac on Crazy Taxi and The Simpsons Road Rage, became a legend on the WRC rally games and of course, the football battle between FIFA and ProEvo, which in those days, FIFA was winning hands down.

     What were my favourite PlayStation memories?  It’s difficult to choose actually, though I remember one of my friends commentating on some football game which I think involved Ronaldo (the chubby Brazilian that is!) and Barry Davies, the legendary BBC voice actually telling him to shut up!  Whether it was an error with the game or the console, I don’t know, but quite impressive I thought!  Then, there was Murray Walker, who’s excitement was crystal clear on the early Formula 1 games, with terms shouted out like; HE’S JUST HIT DAMON HILL! OR FISI-C-H-ELLA, Martin, it looked like he hit the wall there.  I like Murray’s dedication, even for your finish.  Say, if you had finished 19^th, he’d mention it.  “19^th; Shinji Nakano (Another Japanese idiot who had no credentials btw) – well his team boss won’t be happy with that result!”

SMART: My clever collection of XBox 360 games in my flat

     Ultimately, the PlayStation 3 never quite appealed to me, but the Xbox 360 did.  I often would trial the Xbox in Zaavi (an entertainment store before it went bust during the recession.)  I got a taste for the new type of gaming; the better graphics, the more virtual reality experience and I wanted a machine to myself.  In 2009, my brother and I got one of the Arcade versions and I bought a newer, 4GB elite version for myself last summer to go into my room whilst at University.  My greatest achievement on the Xbox has to be either winning the FA Cup on World Class difficulty with the legendary Coventry City (hope Farida’s still proud haha!) on FIFA 11 and winning the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship with Virgin Racing, the ultimate backmarkers in the sport in real life!  So I guess, this proves I’m a king of racing games.  I’ve even taken the plunge into karaoke and been trying my art at the Lips singing games.  Sadly, I can’t sing but it’s still a laugh to perform classics like ‘Karma Chameleon’ and ‘Tubthumping,’ then also embarrassing songs such as ‘Barbie Girl,’ and ‘Wannabe,’ by the Spice Girls!  Oh dear!

CONTROL: The XBox 360 is the console to have at the moment

     For me, I like to play at least an hour a day if I can, because it means I can escape into the virtual reality world, especially if I have had a bad day.  I can have bad days on the Xbox and not get anything right on the game I’m playing.  For people who know me, they know that I can get really competitive.  I simply hate losing to the computer!  For me, it mocks me when that happens.  Sometimes, I can accept it and move on, especially when the computer beats you fair and square, but it gets frustrating when you batter an opposition with 36 attempts on goal, yet still lose 1-0!  That’s when you do think, Grr!  And don’t get me near a tennis game, because when I play a bad shot, the profanity that comes out of my mouth, because I’m annoyed tells its own story!

     So, as you can see, I love the video game and can have addictive crazes to certain games (The Sims 3, how sad am I!) but, I know when to stop and not carry on.  The most I’ve ever played without taking a serious break ever is around four hours.  Normally, an hour a day (two when I have nothing to do) is enough for me and gives me the satisfaction without becoming excessive.  Plus, it might be gripping, but how can playing the likes of Halo, Call of Duty etc like non-stop for 30 hours straight be entertaining, interesting and healthy!  Those who do that, its your life, but you are wasting away.  Enjoy your gaming in moderation and it will feel better is my tip.  I mean, it’s worked for me for the best part of 15 years, so why shouldn’t it for anyone else.  

     If you say to me ‘I love excessive gaming and it’s my life,’ then your need your brain testing!  Forget scoring an attractive girl if that’s the case, because she can do much better!  Balance is an important asset of life, so don’t go down the excessive gaming route.  I lot of people will just reject you, it’s as simple as that.  Good afternoon and goodbye!  

England fail in 2018 World Cup bid

RECRIMINATIONS and accusations have begun after England failed to land the 2018 World Cup, in staggering circumstances.

CELEBRATION: Russia fans rejoice in Moscow at the vote

Russia got the vote for the 2018 finals, the first time that the tournament will be hosted in Eastern Europe and the faces in the auditorium in Zurich from the England bid team said it all.  Their fate had already been sealed, as their bid came fourth out of fourth – even behind the 50/1 outsider bid from Holland/Belgium.  England only collected two votes, and one of them was from their own delegate on the FIFA team, Geoff Thompson.  It is a humiliating outcome.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president flew into Switzerland, having not been present at the final vote, which hints at his high confidence that the bid was already won.  Russia, who had Arsenal playmaker Andrei Arshavin and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich amongst its ambassador team, won the contest in the second ballot of voting, getting over the magical twelve votes it needed.  Russia failed to qualify for the last World Cup in South Africa, and despite its clubs like CSKA Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg doing well in the UEFA Europa League, does have trouble in its own league, with hooliganism and racism issues.  Poor transport links, a lack of infrastructure and the plastic pitches around mean they have a lot to do, to pull off a staggering World Cup.  Nevertheless, well done to them and I wish them the best.

For England, many supporters will now never see a World Cup in their generation.  At the same ceremony, Qatar was awarded the 2022 finals and the 2026 finals can’t go to a European country.  England can’t bid now, until the 2030 finals and that makes the pain hurt even more.  There is already some serious questions about the validity of FIFA’s voting procedure, and accusations of revenge at the England 2018 bid for its extensive media coverage into corruption in FIFA has been mentioned.

England’s final pitch was polished, almost perfect.  It now feels totally pointless with how the voting went.  David Beckham said that “our dream was to stage a World Cup that will attract billions.”  That wasn’t enough for Sepp Blatter and the FIFA delegates.

BRAVE: William and Beckham's efforts were in vain

Outside, the bid team were putting on brave faces.  Prince William was dignified when he faced the media; “Obviously, we are extremely disappointed.”  “We had a very strong bid, sadly it didn’t work out.  Many congratulations to Russia, it will be a good World Cup.”  Having flown back to London, Prime Minister David Cameron couldn’t hide his frustration, at something he has worked extremely hard since he got into power hadn’t worked out; “It is bitterly disappointing.  According to FIFA, we had the best technical bid.  I think we had a very strong commercial bid too.”

FATE: Fingers pointing at Panorama and BBC

There is dignity within the camp, but on the inside, the bid team must be full of rage and fury.  Inquests were starting well before the embarrassment of the crushing defeat was fully revealed.  Finger pointing is already seriously being aimed at the BBC and the Panorama programme, which was shown on Monday night.  Panorama alleged that three FIFA officials from Brazil, Cameroon and Paraguay had taken part in massive corruption scandals many years ago.  The timing of the programme couldn’t be worse.  The Sunday Times also ran stings, which accused several other delegates of corruption in the game, which led to the suspension of two executives from the voting procedure.  Previously, chairman of the Premier League Sir David Richards and the FA chief Lord Treisman had resigned from the team, after conflicting issues and allegations of bribery were made, in Treisman’s case, again from revelations by The Sunday Times.  This result has led to dodgy practices and secret deals within the football world governing body being questioned again. 

Sports news reporter Steve Scott summed up the general mood on ITN’s News at Ten programme; “FIFA delegates were telling England one thing, then voted completely a different route.  The British press investigations did not help at all, but that wasn’t the only factor.  Now, Sepp Blatter has now managed to take the World Cup to Asia, Africa and now Russia and Qatar.  Maybe England never realistically stood a chance.”

Tonight, as the snow continued to fall outside a very chilly Wembley stadium, English football is left wandering just when the beautiful game that we created we end up coming home and welcoming the world.

World Cup 2010 Review

Seven days have passed since the closing of the greatest show on earth.  The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa provided plenty of drama.  Over 140 goals in 64 matches, with some giants of the game found wanting, stars of the international game flopping dramatically and some fairytale stories, that would capture the imagination of any World Cup fanatic fan.  This is my comprehensive review of the tournament, picking out twenty moments that made this World Cup stand out, both off and on the pitch.

All the Fears Were Unnecessary

There was a lot of anticipation, but also fear in the build-up to Africa’s big moment.  It was reported that terrorists were planning to attack the England v USA group match in Rustenberg, and after what had happened to the Togo national team in Angola, when they were ambushed at January’s Africa Cup of Nations, there were always going to be increasing concerns about the safety of fans, players, the worldwide press and local South Africans.  Thankfully, these fears totally turned out to be no more than threats.  Despite the odd issue, such as a match steward’s strike and a pre-tournament fan crush before a Nigeria game in the days leading up to the spectacular, but overall, South Africa 2010 turned into a rousing success.  Travel was hardly an issue, tickets sold on the black market were eliminated and hooliganism simply did not exist.  It was a carnival for the fans, and a pleasing success for the tournament’s organisers. 

The England Failure, But Who Was To Blame?

We can talk about this for years to come.  Quite frankly, I’m fairly bored of the entire topic, but I do feel I should express my viewpoint before shutting up on this issue for good.  Fabio Capello made some massive tactical blunders during the tournament.  For example, no back-up plan if the team got into trouble, the goalkeeper situation – as he had no idea who to earmark as a No.1 and telling the team two hours before a crucial match who would start.  However, although the buck must stop with Capello, the team must take some of the stick too.  Wayne Rooney was hopelessly unfit and useless; Emile Heskey looked like Bambi, not an international striker.  Robert Green needs to learn how to catch a football, it’s not hard – whilst Steven Gerrard lacked the passion he shows week in, week out in a Liverpool shirt.  Even the energetic Ashley Cole looked a yard short all throughout the finals.  John Terry aside, the passion for the shirt must be called into question for these failures.  This generation has had its chance, TWICE!  They have blown it and now, its time for the youth to get a crack at the whip.  Sadly, I don’t think England has much chance in the international game, unless the fundamentals dramatically change.

The ‘Woe Cup’ on ITV

When ITV decided to ditch Formula One at the end of 2008, to entirely focus on Football, it seemed like a risky, but successful move.  Two years on, Michael Grade might well be regretting that move.  Yes, the studio base, just outside Soccer City was top-notch as was the theme music – ‘When You Come Back,’ by Vusi Mahlasela, which is the best football theme I’ve heard since the legendary ‘Nessum Dorma,’ by Pavarotti for BBC’s coverage of Italia 90 and Marcel Desailly was a charismatic and passionate pundit.  However, that is where all the positives end.  Taking a commercial break seconds before Steven Gerrard’s opener for England v USA in Rustenberg was a blunder of the first magnitude.  Robbie Earle was sent home in disgrace, for a ticketing scam, whilst Adrian Chiles truly proved that he is not cut out for live television.  He should just stick to GMTV; at least Steve Rider knows what he is talking about.  Craig Burley’s commentator voice is more suited to funerals, whilst Gareth Southgate forgetting who Holland were playing in the semi-finals just about summed it all up.  This was a nightmare World Cup for ITV, and one they will need to forget very quickly.  Their reputation has taken another battering, and they still have the FA Cup and Champions League rights.  This concerns me a lot.

Diego Maradona – What a Character!

Diego Maradona may have his fans, and those who will never forgive him for the ‘Hand of God,’ in 1986.  However, no-one can diminish his passion and love for the game of football.  His story was remarkable, and it was a largely happy and united Argentina camp throughout South Africa 2010.  Once again, they played the best football in the group stages – dismantling South Korea and missing a hatful of chances to overcome Nigeria.  Defensively, there were concerns, but with the attacking prowess of Carlos Tevez, Diego Milito, Gonzalo Higuain, Martin Palermo and Lionel Messi, these errors could be easily covered up in the early exchanges.  However, when it came to the crunch, Germany exposed Argentina’s weaknesses to the fore, leaving a nation in tears.  Maradona has been offered a new four-year deal to stay on as manager and I hope he does, because his gestures and passion from the touchline was one of the stand-out moments of the finals.

The Jabulani – The Worst Football in History!

Receiving a lot of criticism throughout the tournament was the Jabulani football used for the sixty-four matches.  Quite simply, it is the worst football to have ever created.  Goalkeepers found it difficult to control, midfielders couldn’t dribble as much as they would have liked to and when it came to free-kicks, there was more chance of the football ending in orbit, rather than the back of the net.  Diego Forlan and Japan aside, no-one seemed to be able to cope with the Jabulani from a dead ball situation and although the negativity in some of the opening games was painful to watch, the ball didn’t help matters.  I hope the makers of the Jabulani, Adidas are hanging their heads in shame.  Let’s hope Nike get an exclusive FIFA contract for the 2014 finals in Brazil.

Why Did So Many Superstars Flop On The Greatest Show On Earth?

That is a question that will be difficult to answer, was it the dreaded Jabulani? Were they tired after a long, tiring domestic and international season?  Do the lack the passion for the international game?  Whatever the answer maybe, Kaka, Samuel Eto’o, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney all flopped horrendously at this World Cup.  Rooney limped throughout the finals, Eto’o simply didn’t step up to the plate for a failing Cameroon, which suggested major friction between him and the now former coach, Paul Le Guen.  Kaka was unluckily sent off against the Ivory Coast, but continued where he left off for Real Madrid, playing poorly.  Ronaldo did score against North Korea, but was left a frustrated and forlorn figure as Portugal played defensively in three of the four matches they competed in.  Drogba was nursing a shoulder injury during the group stages, meaning his physical advantages in his game could not be used and Torres lacked form and match sharpness, which culminated in him being dropped from the semi-final onwards.  So, why did so many superstars flop on the greatest show on earth?  The answer is several reasons, but the main reason is – they just didn’t perform when the chips were down.

Germany – A Joy to Watch

The Germans are normally associated as a team that grinds out results to make the showpiece events.  This wasn’t the case in South Africa.  The team played with flair, fluidity and showed no fear whatsoever.  Yes, Serbia did surprise them in the group stages in Port Elizabeth, but that was largely on a bad day for Joachim Low’s side, when nothing went right.  They blitzed Australia and ripped apart England and Argentina in the knockout stages.  Only a well-drilled Spain crushed their dream in the semi-final.  However, the likes of Meszut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Thomas Muller are here to stay, and with such an impressive young unit, Germany could well dominate the international game for at least the next five years.

FIFA Embarrassed With The Lack of Technology – Surely It Must Be Used Now?

Six minutes before half-time in Bloemfontein and Frank Lampard hits a cute chip, that beat Manuel Neuer in the Germany goal, and drags England back to 2-2 in their last sixteen encounter.  However, it wasn’t given – as the incident was missed by the hopeless Uruguayan officials.  Television replays confirmed what we had all previously thought – the ball had gone miles over the line.  I personally hope Sepp Blatter, who can’t stand the use of technology, was squirming in his seat.  Later that night, the Italian officials awarded a goal to Argentina’s Carlos Tevez against Mexico, despite him being at least five yards offside.  England and Mexico were the unlucky ones this time, with the lack of technology.  Surely FIFA and the game in general must use the equipment and resources available to them; otherwise there will be a lot more hard luck stories to be heard of in the future.

Italy – A Tournament Too Far For the Ageing Champions

Italy came into these finals playing down their expectations.  However, everyone expected them to cruise through a group consisting of debutants Slovakia, inconsistent Paraguay and the ‘amateurs’ from New Zealand.  However, the defending champions made a limp start, drawing 1-1 with Paraguay in Cape Town.  It set the tone for their tournament, always having to come from behind to save themselves.  Eventually, it caught up with them, as Slovakia punished them to maximum effect in one of the best games of the tournament on June 24^th.  Injuries didn’t help, with Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon playing less than ninety minutes between them, but it was a tournament too far for the ageing champions.  The Azzuri were dethroned, and left with egg on their face.  Finishing behind New Zealand, a country that doesn’t even have a professional league is staggering!  Thank goodness England didn’t end up as bad as they did; this could well be the end of a golden Italian generation.

The Vuvuzela – The New Feature of Football Sound

The controversial and very noisy ‘vuvuzela’ made their debut in the World Cup finals and whether it has taken onto the European game in the next season remains to be seen.  In the early games, the sound was just plain annoying, sounding like a ‘swarm of bees.’  In the later stages, they just added to the occasion.  I hope they don’t turn up in the Premiership next season, and can see a ban being imposed if they were.  However, they added to the atmosphere and the drama of World Cup 2010, and if that’s how the Africans like to appreciate their football – let them embrace it in their own style.

France – Disgraced and Defeated

The worldwide media were predicting either a France team that could cause a surprise, or most likely pick the self-destruct option.  Unsurprisingly, they chose the latter option.  A dull goalless draw with Uruguay in their opener set the tone for a flimsy and pathetic tournament.  Coach Raymond Domenach couldn’t control the squad, and on the touchline against Mexico, really couldn’t care less about what happened out on the pitch.  Playing left-back Eric Abidal in centre-half must be one of the most ridiculous tactical decisions I have seen in my life.  Thierry Henry was a frustrated spectator throughout, who could only laugh at the fracas.  Temperamental Nicolas Anelka was sent home for a blazing row with Domenach, and then the team refused to train, in support of the Chelsea striker.  Captain Patrice Evra was dropped for the final group game, and behaved like a dog all throughout the shameful episode.  To be honest, a 6-year old could control the team better than Domenach, and they got what they deserved – eliminated with 1 point, 1 goal and flying home in economy class! France were disgraced and defeated and Laurent Blanc has got some job in reviving their fortunes. 

Negative Football Is a Disappointment

The amount of negativity from some teams was a real disappointment to witness.  Argentina and Germany were the only total attacking sides, out of the main superpowers throughout the finals.  The early games were punctured, with some very tedious games – many totally afraid to lose their opening game.  The main concern was the lack of attacking intent from some on display, which was very disappointing to see.  However, these results don’t win you tournaments.  Both Japan and Portugal paid the price in the knockout stages and likewise, Greece and Ivory Coast in the group stages.  So, it was good to see more attacking styles from most in the knockout stages onwards.

Chile – Full of Thrills and Entertainment

Chile arrived at these finals believing in themselves.  However, they were written off by many as a side just there to make up the numbers.  Driven on by a flag at their training camp, in remembrance of those who perished in the devastating earthquake in the country at the beginning of March, their thrilling football was a joy to watch.  Marcelo Biesla knows how to play attacking football, and it paid off against Honduras and Switzerland, with two devastating attacking displays, even though the 1-0 scorelines don’t suggest this.  Sadly, their tendency to go forward left them exposed against better opposition in the form of Brazil and Spain, but with a talented young squad, like Carlos Carmona, Alexis Sanchez and Matias Fernandez, Chile could well be a major threat in major competitions in the coming years.  They won a lot of fans, including myself for the fluid approach to the game at these finals.

Howard Webb – A Very Successful Tournament

England may have flopped miserably on the world stage, but Howard Webb’s reputation increased massively, with his well-disciplined approach to the games he refereed.  His performances in his three preliminary games (Spain v Switzerland, Slovakia v Italy and Brazil v Chile) were exemplary.  Full credit also must go out to his assistants, Darren Can and Mike Malarkey too for their eagle eyes, when it came to tight offside calls.  Some will question his performance in the final, but any referee would have struggled to control that match last week, and I thought he handled the situation very well actually.  He deserved to get the final in the first place, and it wasn’t a disastrous performance either.  At least England did have a finalist in the end.

The Hand of Luis Suarez

In the dying stages of a pulsating quarter-final in Soccer City, Ajax striker Luis Suarez showed that his goalkeeping ability is second to none.  The Uruguayan hitman deliberately handled on the line, to deny Ghana a last-gasp winner in extra-time.  Rightly, Suarez was dismissed for his actions, but Asamoah Gyan went on to smack the bar with his spot kick.  Suarez’s reaction afterwards was very unsportsmanlike, but his efforts had helped Uruguay win a surprising semi-final place.  The incident wasn’t very sporting, but if that was replayed 99 times out of 100, he and many others would have done exactly the same.  Though his actions robbed Ghana out of a semi-final berth, it was an instinctive reaction, not deliberate cheating.

The African Continent Disappoints

Despite Ghana’s fairytale run to the quarter-finals, Africa’s entries disappointed at these finals, and showed that the continent still has some way to go, if they want to challenge the heavyweights of Europe and South America in the near future.  Nigeria and Cameroon were major letdowns, and are living far too long on former glories.  Algeria always were at the finals for the party and nothing more, the Ivory Coast were in a horrible group, yet had their chances to punish Portugal’s lack of ambition, but didn’t take them.  In the end, despite the expected early elimination, the hosts did very well in the circumstances.  They beat a disorganised French unit and probably should have beaten Mexico in the tournament opener.  Had it not been for a more wooden display against Uruguay, they might well have escaped Group A.  However, they left their home tournament on a high and far from disgraced.  What the African champions Egypt could have done, no-one really knows, but apart from the Ghana drama, it was a disappointing conclusion once more for the host continent.

Paul the ‘Psychic’ Octopus

Despite being 6,000 miles away from South Africa, Paul the ‘Psychic’ 8-legged octopus has become a star overnight and left football pundits shaking in their boots.  Their jobs at predicting the games are suddenly under intensifying threat.  He got all his predictions right, including an early Italy elimination, Argentina’s quarter-final defeat and a Spain World Cup win.  Well done Paul, you are a legend!

Holland Scrape Through, Then Lose Their Heads

Previous Dutch sides have a reputation for their camp to be split down the middle, between two units and for their football to be explosive, but lacking the rewards it deserves.  This time around, the Dutch showed a grittier side to their game, and a more determined steel which their coach has created.  Apart from a super second-half display to eliminate the Brazilians in the last eight, Holland missed the usual ‘Total Football,’ tag that is normally associated with this country.  Sadly in the final, they decided to kick their opponents, rather than attempt to outscore them.  Their tactics were dirty, unnecessary and won themselves no plaudits.  It was a good result for football then, to see the team that actually wanted to play football, win the World Cup.

Spain Finally Fulfil Their Potential

After years of underachievement and failure, Spain has finally produced the goods, when it matters most.  When they lost their opener to Switzerland in Durban on June 16^th, it left them on the brink and many questioning, whether this crop of players was going to go down the same route that many predecessors had managed.  Instead, they managed to grind themselves into the last four, with sketchy performances against Paraguay and Portugal, yet produce moments of inspiration that got them through.  Against Germany and Holland, they played the better football in both games, and that makes them worthy champions.  Congratulations to Vicente Del Bosque and his men on achieving this well-deserved success.

The Awards

A brief word on some of the awards I would give out for the 2010 FIFA World Cup:

Player of the Tournament:                          Diego Forlan (Uruguay)

Young Player of the Tournament:               Thomas Muller (Germany)

Golden Boot Winner:                                Thomas Muller (Germany)

Golden Glove:                                           Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Best Defender:                                          Carlos Puyol (Spain)

Best Midfielder:                                        Wesley Snejider (Holland)

Team of the Tournament:     Manuel Neuer (Germany), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Arne Friedrich (Germany), Carlos Puyol (Spain), Fabio Coentrao (Portugal), Andreas Iniesta (Spain), Wesley Snejider (Holland), Meszut Ozil (Germany), Thomas Muller (Germany), David Villa (Spain), Diego Forlan (Uruguay)

SUBS: Iker Casillas (Spain), Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (Holland), Andre Anyweu (Ghana), Alexis Sanchez (Chile), Dirk Kuyt (Holland), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Miroslav Klose (Germany)

Goal of the Tournament:                              1^st: Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (Holland v Uruguay)

                                                                                2^nd: Fabio Quagirella (Slovakia v Italy)

                                                                                3^rd: Luis Suarez (Uruguay v South Korea)

Match of the Tournament:                          1^st: Uruguay 1-1 Ghana – Quarter-Final, 2^nd July

                                                                                2^nd: Slovakia 3-2 Italy – Group Stages, 24^th June

                                                                                3^rd: Uruguay 2-3 Germany – 3^rd Place Playoff, 10^th July

Roll on Brazil 2014!

Germany 4-1 England: Sorry England Humiliated In Bloemfontein

England’s players looked dejected at full-time, and no wonder, after a pitiful and abject display in Bloemfontein on Sunday, that pretty much summed up their World Cup campaign.  Forgettable!

Fabio Capello’s team weren’t the Three Lions; they looked like eleven Lambs to the slaughter, as they were thrashed by Germany.  The scoreline ended 4-1, and quite frankly could have been a whole lot more, had it not be for some smart stops from goalkeeper David James.  Although England had a perfectly good goal ruled out, when Frank Lampard’s delicate chip bounced over the line, but was remarkably missed by the clueless Uruguayan match officials, there could be no doubt which side deserved to go through.

Capello didn’t make any changes from the side that worked hard to beat Slovenia in Port Elizabeth last Wednesday.  Consequently, he resisted the urge to bring Ledley King back, ahead of schedule and stuck with Matthew Upson.  Twenty minutes in, he might well have been regretting yet another tactical error.  A long goal-kick by Manuel Neuer went a full 80 yards.  John Terry mistimed his jump and Upson was caught ball-watching.  In a flash, the prolific Miroslav Klose stole through and beat the despairing James to cap a fine return from suspension.  For England, it was a shambolic goal to concede, the sort of goal you concede on a Sunday League pitch, not a World Cup second-round match.  Eleven minutes later, the defence once again was exposed, by a neat German move which involved Klose and the energetic Thomas Muller.  As Glen Johnson went to close Muller down, Upson was miles away from the action, and that allowed Lukas Podolski the freedom of Bloemfontein.  Despite a poor first touch, he still managed to squeeze the ball inside James’s near post to make it 2-0 and leave England in big trouble.

Within of six crazy minutes though, England could have been level, if not for a sharp turn of fortunes.  First, the Germans fell asleep on a short corner, and Steven Gerrard curled a delightful cross, Upson rose furthest and beat Neuer to the ball, nestling in the bottom of the net.  It was Upson’s second international goal for England and ironically, the first one had come against the Germans in a friendly win in Berlin back in November 2008.  Less than ninety seconds later, Jermain Defoe’s sharp turn had the defence on the backfoot again.  The ball approached Lampard, who hit a delicious lob, which beat the unconvincing Neuer and bounced miles across the line.  England fans went wild; Capello punched the air in delight, Lampard wheeled away in celebration.  It was now 2-2, or was it?  Amazingly, everyone in the stadium, on TV saw it cross the line, yet it wasn’t given.  The match officials had not seen it.  Television replays confirmed the blundering miss by the officials.  Once again, the rejection of goal-line technology earlier in the year had come back to haunt FIFA on the global stage.  I personally hope Sepp Blatter; the President of FIFA was squirming in his seat, wondering where he goes from here, if he doesn’t introduce the technology that football badly craves for.

After an absorbing end to the first half, surely England would carry on their momentum into the restart.  Well, they did briefly, with Lampard coming close again, a free-kick beating Neuer, but shaving off the crossbar.  With twenty-five minutes remaining and Joe Cole brought into the attack, England were throwing the dice, but once more, their hopeless defending was exposed by the deadly German counter-attack.  Gareth Barry was robbed with possession and away came Joachim Low’s team again, with the outstanding Meszut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger pulling all the strings.  This time, the ball landed at Muller’s feet and the 20-year old lashed a powerful drive past James, which killed the game off.

Moments later, Glen Johnson was carelessly caught out and Ozil outstripped him for brutal pace, squaring the ball past James, allowing Muller to tuck away his second in quick succession.  To cap off Capello’s miserable day, at 4-1 down, he took off goal threat Defoe, for the dopey Emile Heskey.  To be honest, it summed up England’s game, England’s tournament, England’s nightmare.  Germany eased through the last twenty minutes, and now can prepare their youngsters for a tasty quarter-final on Saturday with Maradona’s Argentina in Cape Town.

For England’s flops, it was an early flight home.  For the players, it was the chance to feel that they blown it yet again!  They went to South Africa with high hopes, but instead performed like a bunch of clueless highly-paid superstars, putting in the country’s worst performance at the World Cup for sixty years. 

Wayne Rooney looked unfit, lacked fitness and match practice.  He looked more likely to be sent off, than score in South Africa.  Gerrard lacked the dynamic passion as a leader, surprising considering his Liverpool glory as their inspirational leader.  Lampard rarely featured, Heskey was just the bumbling clown everyone predicted, Rob Green needs to learn how to catch and hold onto a ball and even the usually energetic and buzzing Ashley Cole was at least a yard short.  Capello must wait another two weeks, before learning whether he will be leading England into qualification for Euro 2012.  This has been another tournament full of hope and expectation, but once more, delivered the usual failings and disasters you would associate with our national team.  England’s worst ever World Cup defeat and dire South African performance must leave for some serious scratching of heads in the coming months.    

World Cup Report - Day 13-15

The group stages have now concluded and it is time to focus on knockout football, where no mistakes are now allowed.  It was a dramatic three days of football, which saw giants embarrassed, one Asian side finally get the grip of the dead ball and others play out dire football to qualify.  Here is a round-up of the final three days of the group stages. (See England v Slovenia match report in another post)

Wednesday 23^rd June: USA 1-0 Algeria

Landon Donovan, the pin-up boy of American football scored a dramatic stoppage time winner against plucky Algeria, to send the USA off to Rustenberg in round two as Group C winners.  Whilst the Algerians focused on defending and attempting to catch the opposition on the break, the Americans threw the kitchen sink at their rivals, and it finally broke for them in the 92^nd minute, when Donovan reacted quickest from a sharp save to fire in the rebound.  Algerian captain Anther Yabdia was sent off in the dying stages for two yellow cards.

Wednesday 23^rd June: Ghana 0-1 Germany

Mesut Ozil’s stunning second-half strike set up and intriguing second round match-up between Germany and England in Bloemfortein.  His wonderful volley on the hour mark, on the edge of the penalty area was the difference in this entertaining affair at Soccer City, which sees Germany come out on top in Group D.  Ghana remain as Africa’s only participant to progress past the knockout phase.

Wednesday 23^rd June: Australia 2-1 Serbia

Australia signed off their World Cup campaign in style, with a solid 2-1 success over Serbia in Nelspruit.  Tim Cahill’s diving header on his return from suspension set the Socceroos on their way and Brett Holman quickly doubled their advantage, giving them a faint hope of overtaking Ghana for the runners-up spot in Group D.  Those hopes ended when Marko Pantellic capitalised on a spill by Mark Schwarzer to pull one back on 84 minutes.  Both teams leave the tournament at this stage.

Thursday 24^th June: Slovakia 3-2 Italy

In the game of the tournament so far, Marcelo Lippi’s holders were undone by Slovakia at Ellis Park, which saw the defending champions dethroned in the group stages.  The star of the show was Robert Vittek, who scored twice, one in either half.  In between glaring Italian defensive errors, Howard Webb ruled out a debatable Italian effort for Fabio Quagilarella doe to the offside flag, and he saw another effort brilliantly cleared off the line by Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel.  Antonio di Natale gave the Azzuri hope, quickly vanishing by a shambolic piece of slack defending from the experienced Fabio Cannavaro, which allowed Kamil Kopunek in for a goal with his first World Cup touch.  Despite arguably the goal of the tournament from Quagilarella in stoppage time, the Slovak gods held on to record a last sixteen berth on their finals debut, and Lippi’s men bottom of Group F.

Thursday 24^th June: Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand

An uneventful match in Polokwane saw Paraguay secure the point they needed for qualification, though not in convincing fashion.  Roque Santa Cruz came closest, with a stunning free-kick which was well saved by All Whites goalkeeper Mark Paston.  Rikki Herbert’s side exit the competition with their heads held high, unbeaten in the tournament.

Thursday 24^th June: Denmark 1-3 Japan

A stunning man-of-the match performance from Keisuke Honda inspired Japan into a last 16 showdown with Paraguay.  In a match at Rustenberg, which would decide the outcome of the runners-up in Group E, the Asians physical prowess and silky skill proved too much for a determined Denmark side that lacked overall firepower.  Japan led 2-0 at the break, following two stunning free-kicks from Honda and Yashuito Endo.  A dubious penalty for Denmark was converted just, by veteran Jon Dahl Tomasson in the second half, before Honda’s brilliance set-up a third goal for Shinji Okazaki, as Japan played out of their skin to get past the group stages for the first time on foreign soil.

Thursday 24^th June: Cameroon 1-2 Holland

Arjen Robben returned to the world stage after hamstring worries, and made an instant impact as Cameroon became the only side to bow out of the competition without a single point to their name.  In a game that meant nothing to the outcome of Group E, with the Indomitable Lions out and the Dutch already through, Holland led before the interval, courtesy of a lovely link-up between Rafael van der Vaart and Robin Van Persie, finished off by the Arsenal ace.  Van der Vaart blotted his copybook with a dubious handball from a free-kick, which was converted by Samuel Eto’o.  It was Robben who set-up the winner, when his shot bounced off the post and into the grasp of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who couldn’t miss from six yards.  Despite the Dutch not playing at their best, they must be a force to be reckoned with.

Friday 25^th June: Portugal 0-0 Brazil

In what was billed as one of the best games of the group stages, Portugal and Brazil played out a dire 0-0 stalemate in Durban, which saw both teams advance into the last sixteen, with the South Americans as group winners.  Brazilian striker Nilmar went the closest, with his shot tipped onto the post by Portuguese goalkeeper Eduardo in the dying stages of the first half.

Friday 25^th June: North Korea 0-3 Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast comfortably overcame a ragged North Korea, to sign off their disappointing tournament with a winning result in Nelspruit.  Yaya Toure and Cristian Romaric scored two early goals in the first half, with the win confirmed by Salomon Kalou’s late tap-in.  However, the 9-0 scoreline they required was never on the cards, and Sven Goran-Eriksson may look on his negative tactics as the downfall for his side failing to advance out of the group stages.

Friday 25^th June: Chile 1-2 Spain

In Pretoria, Spain’s clinical finishing was just enough to see off a talented, but ill-disciplined Chile side and advance into the last sixteen, as Group H winners.  An opportunist strike from David Villa opened the scoring, following an over-committed run by Chilean captain Claudio Bravo that allowed Villa to smash into an empty net.  Andreas Iniesta doubled the lead and in the build-up, a clumsy trip on the ineffective Fernando Torres led to the soft dismissal of Marco Estrada.  Although the South Americans pulled a goal back in the second half, courtesy of Rodrigo Millar, Marcelo Bielsa’s side seemed happy to play out the match, to secure their deserved passage through into the knockout stages.

Friday 25^th June: Switzerland 0-0 Honduras

A desperately disappointing Switzerland producing an error-strewn performance against Honduras in Bloemfontein, which led to both side’s elimination from the World Cup.  Needing two goals to advance, Otmar Hitzfeld’s side never looked likely to break down a strong Central American defence, and will be disappointed not to get out of the group stages, despite their shock opening success against European champions Spain.