* World Cup opener: South Africa – Mexico( remark on 12-06)

Perhaps, this is the most fascinating Worl Cup opener I have ever watched! (partly because I don’t even remember clearly the older ones lol). Despite the fact that there was neither world cup favourite nor the current champion (Italy), the yesterday opener was still well worth watching. In fact, SA had a decent performance while Mexico was, in my point of view, really impressive. However, SA still needs intensive work done in order to qualify the group stage, whereas Mexico actually lacked an inspiring player in the midfiled and a bit of luck.

In essense, SA strikers impressed me by their strengths and speeds whilst Vela and particularly Dos Santos were actually awesome. In my sight, they are the future of Mexcio as well as of the club they played. Sooner or later, believe me, they will be the top world class players! Blanco, huh, he looked like a sight actually. Yep, Mexico, however, desires a leader player with decent passing like him, of course not Blanco of present but Blanco of 12 or 8 years ago. Marquez can actually supplant the role, unfortunately he is a defender. Nonetheless, he was, once again, pretty good yesterday. He did score a crucial goal!

A first controversial decision as a perfectly good goal was disallowed seems to highlight the match. yah, Surprisingly, there are a few if not none at all posts memtioned the issue in famous online sport magazines today. Maybe it’s not the time! lol LOL, sorry! The player was actually in offside position according to the rule of FIFA!

~ Uuguay v France

no comment as I didn’t watch it!

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>> (20/06/10) France is at the high risk of being eliminated at the group stage. After the loss against Mexico, they are well on track to replicating their horror show from eight years ago..In fact, it is little wonder as France is not highly rated before the World Cup. Nonetheless, it is somewhat dissappointing because France is always a “big name” in every World Cup and they are currently the World Cup runner-up. Many reasons have been given for the failure, wherein Domenech has had a high profile. The fans can blame him for the failure, but it is not fair to deny all his successes as a Frech coach. I found it surprising as a famous former Vnmese football player, in a prevalent newspaper’s article, slams the coach and claims that last World Cup silver is due to the contribution of the “golden generation”, particularly Zidane. I laughed at that because such ridiculous comments came from the so-called “expert”. The omission of Narsi and Bezenma is another blame for the failure. Yep, but honestly, Bezenma or Narsi’ incidents were not as shocking as Ronaldinho’s or Zanetti’s! So let’s be fair with Domenech, he deserves with what he has done! A coach, who led a team to the World Cup final and only lost in a penalty shoot-out, is definitely not a bad manager if not a fine tactician. The French failure can be seen, in different aspect, as an internal division (!?) beginning with the “unconvinced” captain armband giving to Evra, the “unconvinced” act of putting Henry on the bench or the recently insulted comments of Anelka, which axed him from the team. The team is no longer a French football team but a French theater with a traitor as captain Evra admitted.

It is not the first time the French have experienced such troubled times, especially with a squad that has several ethnic divisions and no small number of inflated egos. To conclude, together with the fact that this team is not as good as it used to be, if it is Domenech’ s fault, it is because he doesn’t know how to manage these troubles and is not able to make weak team become stronger.

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~Favourites Analysis (19/06/10)

Spain: seems invincible yet actually not
If we have to name the “strongest team” in this World Cup, many of our answers will be Spain. Yep, in term of “quality players”, Spain but not Brazil or any other team is the best. In fact, there are no more world-class players in other teams than Spain. Every position in the team is a star, and most of them are world-class: Goalkeeper, Calsilass; Denfender, Puyol, Ramos; Midfielder. Xavi, Iniesta, Cecs, Xabi; Attacker, Villa, Torress. Most importantly, the team has worked together for many years, and many of them are also teammates in their clubs. Their coordinations in teamwork, hence, are guaranteed. These 2 reasons make Spain seem invicible, thereby standing at the  top favourite for the World Cup title.

… Nonetheless, they did suprisingly lose their 1st round. Now there is still no doubt about their group stage qualifying as their rivals are so weak. The match, however, proves the fact that Spain still lacks something/someone to be perfect.

Argentina: Time will tell!

 Messi is simply the best! Everyone would agree with it if they watch his performances: stunning but not suprising as it is his standard. The only missing point is that he hasn’t scored any goal. However, Maradona don’t have to worry because he has the likes of Milito and Higuain. Two normal performances from the Madrid striker, yet he did score a hattrick. And that’s adequate! Maradona has an incredible attackers in his hands, including Messi of himself; Tevez (of Rooney) and Higuain or Milito (of Van Nistelrooy or Inzaghi), then Di Maria, etc. Perhaps he lacks the likes of Ronaldo to form the strongest attack ever. Notwithstanding, the goalkeeper, defenders and somewhat midfielders are below the standard of Argentina in general and the attackers in particular. Romero, Demichelis, Jonas or Veron could not be in same team with Messi, Tevez! Unfortunately, Argentina lacks what it actually has got. Zanetti and Cambiasso omission by (unknown) un-technical reasons still remains regrettable for the fans. Otherwise, in my opinion, Argentina can be “a Spain” or even stronger. Nevertheless, let’s still believe in Maradonna’s decision as everything has gone right and wait…

England: flatter to deceive…

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(28/07) ~ In short,

Argentina – one of the best attack ever

Messi, Tevez, Higuain, and what’s more, Milito, Aguero, Palermo forms Argentina’s attack. Undoubtedly, Maradona has 5 of the best strikers in the world in his hands, the remaining is the one who saves his international coaching career. Even the likes of Aguero, particularly Milito have to be on the bench. What a waste, isn’t it? Everyone of them has scored or at least contributed positively to the team. In fact, Argentina has shown off their frightenning attack many times in the World Cup. However, as I said, the other parts are relatively below the standard of its attack. Anyway, Argentina if they are champions, proves the strategy, Attack is the best form of defense!

Brazil – be a truly Brazil, but not that invincible

Brazil is always Brazil. Even in their decline, Brazil is still strong. This World Cup Brazil epitomises that!? However, will Dunga regret omitting the likes of Ronaldinho, Adriano? It’s likely..

Holland – Robben, Sneijder, Persie, that’s enough!

England – flatter to deceive

England was not as good as it seemed to be. Totally dissappointing! Never grow up.

Italy – never step twice into the same river!

It was a big lesson for Lippi and FIGC. However, last 10′ of the their last match did tell something. Bright future ahead.

Germany – Totally contrary to England, always shine in their truly humble ways

Never flatter themselves. But in fact, many desire what they has done for the last 10 years.

France – Inevitable failures!

Remember: 12 years ago, they were the world champions. 10 years ago, they stood at the top of Europe. They are inevitable on the decline of their cycle. Media, please take a break…

Portugal – not a golden generation

They have a world class leader, C.Ronaldo. However, apart from him, Portugal does not have adequate supporting players. The sudden injury of Nani made things even worse.

Who are the favourites now? (29/06/10)

(to be continued)