10. Vuvuzelas

It is apart of the culture in African football but they are very annoying to hear throughout 90 minutes. To be fair it has died down a bit since the departure of the host nation but still manage to make an appearance in the remaining games. It’s disappointing only for the fact we don’t hear no football chants and crowd reactions towards certain decisions.

9. The Jabulani Ball

The Jabulani ball has taken some criticism since the tournament began over 2 weeks ago and by the evidence we have seen it deserved it. Many players who have played with the ball in South Africa have struggled to adapt with the new Adidas ball, claiming that it is to round…what do you want guys, a ball shaped like a square or something? It seems a bit of an excuse to me, however, having watched all the games in South Africa so far, it’s clear to see that it is very different from previous tournament balls. Players have misjudged the flight and bounce, as well as failing to really hit it properly (exclude Carlos Tevez of course). For those reasons stated above, it does make for disappointing viewing at times.

8. Fernando Torres – Not performing like he is capable of

The Spanish striker does not look like he is in the grove this summer as he has been in previous tournaments, and so far in this World Cup, Torres has not been able to find the back of the net. The Liverpool hitman does not look the same player prior to the competition beginning, and its visible to see that he is either unfit or has other things on his mind. Many (including me) thought that Torres would be amongst the other elite strikers in the world battling for the illustrious golden boot. Unfortunately this is not the case this year. Generally, Torres has been poor in South Africa, and for those who placed a bet on the 26-year-old to be top goal scorer of the tournament, well it looks like you guys have lost your money.

7. France – So much Talent, yet no cohesion

The French have got to be the biggest joke in world football today. So much talented stars like Franck Ribery, Yoann Gourcuff, Patrice Evra and Thierry Henry yet they failed in what was one of their worst World Cup campaigns for a number of years. Raymond Domenech was useless as ever as the French manager, and trouble within the camp prior to the tournament and during it certainly didn’t help the cause either. A number of problems caused the Les Bleus to underachieve and evidently failed miserably in their attempt to qualify to the next round. It’s disappointing because we expected better performances from some of the players the football world has to offer, but instead everybody was sucked into the mayhem off the pitch. The FFF has a big crisis on their hands.

6. Didier Drogba – Not seen as much as we expected

The Chelsea hitman had a great season for the West London club and was tipped to be amongst the contenders for the golden boot. Unfortunately, during a friendly game against Japan a week before the commencement of the World Cup, the Ivory Coast striker broke his arm. Drogba struggled and many thought he was out of the tournament. However, the 32-year-old recovered in time and managed to appear in all of the Ivory Coast matches. He only scored one goal against Brazil but this was only a consolation. Africa’s star man was not 100% fit and because of this, he was unable to replicate what he did last season in this years World Cup. A big disappointment for the continent of Africa in whole.

Check out the top 5 on page 2, click here

Speaking at his side’s base camp, Bradley stated, “We’re all accustomed to the fact that if it’s an NFL playoff game and there’s a call that’s in question, there will be a statement by the league from the referees, but FIFA operates differently.”

The ire aimed at the aforementioned referees has been exacerbated by the refusal of officials to explain their decisions. Is a more stringent approach from FIFA required to curb bad decisions in matches?

The merits and demerits of video technology have been discussed and dissected several times (click here to see an earlier article I wrote on this issue), so I won’t spend time delving in to this area. However, the short nature of international tournaments means that the margins between success and failure are unbelievably fine; had Landon Donovan failed to net his last-gasp winner against Algeria yesterday, Coulibaly’s decision to rule out Maurice Edu’s ‘goal’ from six days ago would have borne much more prominent significance. Although Coulibaly is ‘highly unlikely’ to participate in further World Cup matches, punishing referees after abject displays is often scant consolation to teams disadvantaged by incorrect decisions.

With regards to the issuing of erroneous yellow and red cards, there is very little retroactive action FIFA can take to diminish the significance of such a decision – if a team, incorrectly reduced to ten men, subsequently loses a match, FIFA cannot do anything to rectify refereeing wrongdoing. However, FIFA’s rules denote that neither the organisation nor the referee in question is required to explain a disputed decision. In doing so, FIFA fail to implement any sense of accountability, placing less pressure on referees to make the right decision.

Implementing such accountability would allow for referees to explain decisions and formally apologise, thus showing an intention to try and redress the victims of poor officiating, as well as helping to maintain consistency within the refereeing fraternity. I for one believe it is time that FIFA introduce a more stringent approach within the game.

Click here to read an earlier article on the use of video technology within football

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10. The Slovenian goalkeeper is a coward

When Landon Donovan’s rocket early in the second half of USA’s game against Slovenia hit the back of the net, one couldn’t help but notice Slovenia’s ‘keeper move out of the way rather than make a save. What is surprising is that the goalkeeper is Samir Handanovic who plays for Udinese and is regarded as a good goalkeeper in Italy. He is probably the side’s most high profile player and to see him bottling a save doesn’t fill you with a lot of confidence about Slovenia’s chances.

9. Dennis Rommedahl is actually a good player!

Fans of Charlton Athletic including myself will be scratching their heads wondering, why couldn’t Dennis Rommedahl show that kind of form at Charlton on a regular basis? The Danish midfielder looked inspired during Denmark’s 2-1 victory over Cameroon. His blistering pace caused the Cameroon defence all kinds of problems down the right hand side managing to put in a cross for Nicolas Bendtner to score and cancel out Samuel Eto’o’ s opener. Then he in the second half he went on to a score the winner for his side by twisting and turning his way through the defence before placing a nicely curled shot into the back of the net.

8. Holland look efficient

Although they didn’t look spectacular in their game against Japan they got the result at the end of it, much like in their game with Denmark. As of writing they are the only side along with Brazil and Argentina to have won their two opening games, and they have made the best start out of all the sides in Europe. The fact that they haven’t blown anyone away yet but possess so much talent is scary thought for other sides and they will surely be a force to be reckoned with in the knockout stages.

7. Ghana know how to celebrate

After coolly slotting away a penalty for Ghana, Asamoah Gyan and his team mates all proceeded to break into a wonderfully choreographed celebration that has got to be the best one of the tournament so far!

6. Luis Fabiano knows how to score a good goal or two

Brazil striker Luis Fabiano finally opened his World Cup account by scoring two well taken goals against the Ivory Coast yesterday. His first was a powerful shot smashed into the back the net after a lovely passing team move. The second goal he scored was a sublime finish reminiscent of Paul Gascoigne’s goal for England against Scotland in Euro 96. It was perhaps the best goal of the tournament so far but the claim will be spoilt because of a debateable hand ball by Fabiano.

Continue reading on the next page to see the final 5

10. Germany look impressive

Germany a usually conservative football team, stormed to victory in their opening game crushing an Australia side who on paper are a decent team; by four goals to nil. The Germans were in complete control throughout and hardly seem to break a sweat in their victory. Despite the Aussies playing with 10 men for most of the second half after Cahill’s unfair sending off, Germany were practically in complete control anyway. Having praised Germany’s efforts this does however bring me on to my next point…..

9. Do Germany actually have any players of their own?

Three of Germany’s goalscorers were not even born in Germany! Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose were both born in Poland and Cacau was born in Brazil. The impressive man of the match Mesut Ozil despite being born in Germany has Turkish parents. Germany’s starting 11 also included midfielder Sami Khedira who has a Tunisian father, Germany’s three substitutes were all of foreign descent, Cacau who has been previously mentioned was born in Brazil, winger Marko Marin is originally from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Mario Gomez has a Spanish father.

Out of Germany’s unused substitutes Serdar Tasci was born in Germany to Turkish parents, Manchester City’s new signing Jerome Boateng has a Ghanaian father. Dennis Aogo is of Nigerian decent and Piotr Trochowski was born in Poland. This all means that only 12 of Germany’s 23 man squad could be considered “entirely German”.

8. Siphiwe Tshabalala will be playing in the Premiership next season

Previously unheard of before this tournament, South Africa’s left-winger ensured that the opening goal of the World Cup was a stunner. The 25-year-old received the ball after a lovely passing move and kept his composure in front of goal before slotting home a lovely finish past the Mexican goalkeeper. Following his display Tshabalala was named as man of the match and having come to prominence following his goal; it would be typical of a Premier League club to sign him this summer.

7. Gerrard and Lampard STILL cannot play together

Part of the reason for England’s disappointing 1-1 draw against the USA was due to the American’s midfield display and they were able to have a good game due to Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard’s inability to impose themselves. Despite Gerrard having a good game and capping his appearance with a goal, he still wasn’t able to form a proper partnership with the Chelsea midfielder. England will be longing for Gareth Barry’s return to the side to give them such much needed balance in the middle of the park.

6. He may be crazy but Diego Maradona could win Argentina the World Cup

Despite only beating Nigeria by one goal, Argentina looked very impressive in their game and could and should have won by more goals. Apart from Germany, the Argentines have looked the most impressive side so far and after the nightmare they had in qualifying Maradona looks to have finally got them playing football. The array of talent they have at their disposal is frightening and they are more than capable of turning on the style at any given moment. A slow but effective start could well suit Argentina and this could be their year.

Continue reading for the last 5

The favourites
The underachievers
Fallen giants
Surprise Nations

The so called “Favourites”

Brazil- It’s rare to enter a WC without Brazil being amongst the group of favourites, and this is no different. After their poor showing in Germany 06 this Brazil team under guidance of coach Dunga will see anything but lifting the Jules Rimet trophy as a failure. Starting from the top down you can justify their place in this group. They have arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Julio Ceaser. A defense spearheaded by the no nonsense Lúcio, with their usual gut busting full backs in the form of Douglas Maicon and Michel Bastos. A midfield where Kaka is given freedom to roam and Gilberto Silva he task of protecting the back 4. An attack where the likes of Robhino or Luis Fabiano can cut through a defense without hesitation. The only doubt cast over this squad was the decision by Dunga to leave Pato, Ronaldinho, and Adriano behind.

Strengths: Goals from every area of the field bar the goalkeeper.

Weaknesses: Weaknesses at the back with attack minded defenders.

Spain- Labelled a perennial under achiever, Spain head to South Africa playing the best football in the nation’s history. They won Euro 2008 in an almost effortless fashion and although the WC will pose a tougher test, you wouldn’t put it past them to go all the way. They went on a 35 game unbeaten streak. They eased through qualifying. They have one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Iker Casillas. They have possibly the best front 2 heading into this tournament in Fernando Torres and David Villa. And are spoilt for choice in midfield with names, like Xavi, Inniesta, Fabregas, Senna, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets just to name a few. So what’s stopping them from going all the way? Nobody but themselves.

Strengths: Clinical forwards, and an army of talented midfielders.

Weaknesses: Consistency. They have never maintained consistency throughout a WC.

Argentina- So far Diego Maradona’s spell as Argentina’s coach can only be described as eventful. Saying that they scraped qualifying by the skin of their teeth would be exaggerating, but they did cut it fine. Despite not beating Brazil in their 2 games and getting hammered 6-1 by Bolivia, they still head to South Africa with one of the best squads. Maradona has mixed and matched youth and experience. With players like Juan Seba Veron with bags of experience, and the likes of 22 year old current world player of the year Lionel Messi. By looking at this squad you can already see where they’re strongest. They have an abundance of fire power. With the likes of Messi, Tevez, Higuain, Aguero, and Diego Milito, once can’t help expect a bagful of goals from this team. Their only weakness here is Maradona’s indecisiveness. He’s so far used 78 players during his spell as coach and is not any closer to knowing his best XI.

Strengths: An embarrassment of riches up front

Weaknesses: Left out 2 big names in Cambiaso and Zanetti. Still doesn’t know best XI

Click here to see the underachievers

Lets be completely honest here, England got a very good group. Only the USA seem, on paper, to cause any sort of trouble. But this is England, an England led by the experienced iron fist of Fabio Capello yes, but England non the less. If there are any potential banana skins to slip up on, you can be sure we’ll do our very best to get as close to them as is humanly possible. So who are the players who might leave these banana skins? Who do England need to be wary of in their group?

Landon Donovan – USA: The obvious choice straight off the bat, but still probably the right one to go with. The American national sawker team reads like a list of B-movie actors and newsreaders in a bad soap. Robbie Rogers, Chad Marshall, Dax McCarty, Heath Pearce, I mean who on earth is naming these people? It’s a sketch surely? If I hadn’t seen Clint Dempsey in the flesh I’d be sceptical he was a real person. Regardless of this though, Donovan is their MVP, as they’re so wanton to call it in the States. MLS player of the season just gone and now busy being a hypocrite at Everton after slamming David Beckham for moving away on loan during off season. His form for the Toffees has been good. Very good in fact so far, and at 27 he’s younger than his hairline suggests (which could give us a clue as to why he was so angry with Beckham) so it seems highly probable that he’ll end up stuffing the country in which he currently finds himself employed. Football loves nothing more than a delicious irony, though it wouldn’t actually be an irony at all, but it would in the way most Americans understand irony so I think I can get away with that one. We all remember Ahn Jung-hwan (don’t we?), the former South Korean Perugia player who knocked his adopted country out of the World Cup in a gloriously controversial second round clash and was promptly sacked by the Italian club’s chariman in a hilariously childish hissy fit. Could the same happen to Donovan? No, clearly not, plus he’ll be back in the MLS by then anyway. Still, if anyone is going to ruin England’s party, Donovan seems the most likely man to do it

Antar Yahia – Algeria: Reigning Algerian and Arab Player of the Year, beating off strong competition from…..erm….Yahia is a national hero in Algeria. A rugged but agile central defender, he compounded his hero status by scoring a Marco van Basten-esque goal to send his country to the World Cup finals, for the first time in 24 years, in their rowdy play off against hated foes Egypt. A feat made even more impressive by the Pharaohs recent African Nations Cup triumph. He almost signed for Leeds 3 years ago, but opted to ply his trade in the Bundesliga where he currently plays for Vfl Bochum. Yahia will most likely be the player tasked with stopping Wayne Rooney, but could also be a threat from set pieces at the other end. Just don’t let him volley it.

Rene Krhin – Slovenia: 19 year old Krhin is the next big thing in Slovenian football, if such a thing is possible. Captain of the U-19 side, and just starting to get his chances at Inter under Jose Mourinho, the midfielder is a tricky customer. He made his debut for the national side in their 2-1 loss to England last September, so with football being cyclical and enamoured with irony (sort of) it stands to reason he’ll probably end up making a name for himself in that very game. He’s looked assured in his brief outings in Italy, and despite their brevity, he’s recently signed a deal that will keep him at the Milan club until 2014. Clearly thought of highly by the Nerazzuri coaching staff, could the World Cup be the making of him?

A.N.Other – England – And of course the main player to look out for this summer, the one who will almost certainly ruin England’s chances of lifting that hideously ugly World Cup, statue, thing, will be an English player. Because it always is. A misplaced back pass, a moment of petulance, an unneeded scything tackle in the box, some ill advised positioning at a free kick, or of course, a penalty miss. An English player is bound to commit one of these at some point during the tournament, and even if none of these things happen, the British press will find someway to tie one of them to someone, and then never let them forget it. This year we’re in the odd position of tearing down one of our players before the World Cup’s even started so maybe we’ll have it out of our systems by the time we are eventually knocked out at the quarter finals on penalties to the Germans. If that’s the only thing to come out of the John Terry sex scandal, it’s already a good thing.

USA

Clint Dempsey – Landon Donovan may get the headlines but Dempsey is probably the USA’s most accomplished player. England will know all about the Fulham man, but knowing about him and stopping him are two separate things. Dempsey is a powerful, technically gifted player who has a good goalscoring record with 19 in 96 league appearances for Fulham and 17 goals in 59 international appearances. He will need to be watched carefully in England’s first game.

Michael Bradley – Or Michael Bradley ‘the coach’s son’, as the commentators will no doubt refer to him. Bradley plays his football in Germany with Borussia Mönchengladbach and is the driving force of the USA’s play. He has a terrific engine and the central midfielder is an old-fashioned box-to-box player who breaks up opposition attacks and starts his own. He was impressive in the Confederations Cup but missed out on the final as a result of suspension; he is a player that could make a big impact in the summer.

Algeria

Nadhir Belhadj – The Portsmouth man is a regular starter for Algeria at left-back and also occasionally plays on the left of midfield. Defensively he is something of a liability and Glen Johnson and whoever is playing on the right of midfield should find success against him. But going forward Belhadj is a real threat, if he is deployed in midfield against England, he could cause some serious damage with his surging runs; his crossing and shooting are of a fairly high standard and he may take advantage if Glen Johnson gets caught out of position.

Karim Ziani – Wolfsburg’s attacking midfielder is Algeria’s most talented player. He is highly skilful and has the pace and power to compete with any defenders. He can be something of a luxury player, but if he is given time on the ball, he has the talent to trouble England.

Slovenia

Robert Koren – It says a lot about Slovenia’s chances that their captain plays in the Championship. In a squad lacking in top-level experience, Koren is their most well-known player. He is a neat midfielder and was one of West Brom’s more impressive performers last season and was their most used outfield player. His passing is neat and he has the ability to carry the ball into dangerous areas.

Rene Krhin – An unknown quantity in many respects; the 19-year-old has only recently broken into the senior squad but is the rising star of Slovenian football. He is an attacking midfielder playing for Inter Milan and is highly rated by Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff. He recently made his first league start for Inter and while he may not start for Slovenia, the World Cup is as good a place as any for him to announce himself.

England’s opening fixture will be against the well-organised USA who have a number of players that play in the Premier League. They include Everton‘s Tim Howard and Fulham’s Clint Dempsey, but it is LA Galaxy’s Landon Donovan who is America’s star player and is the all-time record goal scorer for the team ranked 14th in the FIFA rankings.

They will also play Algeria in what is a reasonable draw for England, with The Desert Foxes only just scraping into the tournament after a playoff win against Egypt. Their key player is the talented midfielder Karim Ziani who plays in the Bundesliga for Wolfsburg, while Premiership fans will also be aware of Portsmouth‘s Nadir Belhadj. Algeria are ranked 28th in the World, and may be tough for England to break down.

England’s final opponents will be Slovenia, a strong European nation ranked 33rd in the World. They reached the finals after surprisingly overturning Russia in the playoff, and are another well-drilled team but lack the world-class players to truly hurt England. In Milivoje Novakovic they do have a tall striker, and the Koln forward will provide a physical test for England Captain John Terry.

If England progress from their group they are likely to play Germany or Australia who will both be tough matches, although Ghana and Serbia also have a good chance of progressing from a difficult Group D. Group G looks at though it may take the mantle as The Group of Death, with at least one of Brazil, the Ivory Coast and Portugal missing out on a knockout place.

How do you think England will fare in the 2010 World Cup, will they be able to progress from their group and can they even go all the way?

NEW Soccer AM IIII DVD OUT NOW – Order your copy now

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Helen Chamberlain, Max Rushden and the rest of the Soccer Am crew tackle the task of unearthing the team of their dreams.

Tubes, Health and Safety, Rocket and Baby Elvis are among the familiar faces joining Helen and Max to indulge in a special set of sketches, including Kung Fu Academy, Third Eyes and the return of the £10 Goal Celebration.

Who makes it through the filter of football’s funniest show as the Greatest Team In The World?

Does the Premier League take precedence or does La Liga lead the way??

NEW Soccer AM IIII DVD OUT NOW – Order your copy now

Guus Hiddink’s side have established themselves as a threat in world football in recent years. With the Dutchman at the helm they were a constant thorn in the side of Steve McClaren’s England and progressed to a European Championship semi-final, only to lose to eventual winners Spain. The Russians lost on the away goals rule in a tie that will have gone against FIFA’s seeding system as Slovenia progressed with a 1-0 victory in Maribor on Wednesday night.

It will be the first time since 1998 that a Guus Hiddink side is not at the finals, as the Dutchman will not have the chance to improve on his already impressive record of leading the Netherlands and South Korea to semi –finals and Australia to the last 16.

So what next for Guus Hiddink? The Russian Football Association have offered him a further 2 years on his contract and the man is believed to have the full backing and confidence of the Russian players, however a dejected Hiddink is not racing into a decision. Should Hiddink decide not to continue his Russia post, there is the option of a return to club football.

Chelsea fans will tell you that whoever the seasoned Dutchman continues his managing career with should welcome Hiddink with open arms. You will struggle to find many people that hold a higher opinion of Hiddink than Chelsea fans as the man has a bit of a savoir reputation in West London. If it wasn’t for current manager Carlo Ancelotti experiencing such a successful start, you would be likely to hear many Chelsea fans calling for the Dutchman’s return.

Hiddink was installed as temporary Chelsea manager on the 11^th February of this year and enjoyed a successful spell at Stamford Bridge. Despite losing only once, winning the F.A Cup and reaching the semi-final’s of the Champions League (only to be knocked out by some criminal refereeing), Hiddink is more likely to be remembered and appreciated by Chelsea fans for rejuvenating the team. The Dutchman arrived to a Chelsea team in turmoil. Recently sacked coach Luis Felipe Scolari had experienced a terrible tenure at the club and Chelsea were left short of confidence and belief. However Hiddink’ team management, coupled with results helped change this. The side that played in games such as the 3-1 away win at Liverpool in the Champions League were a shadow of any Chelsea team that Scolari managed.

Hiddink’s record in management is impressive and the man is held in high regard over Europe. Only time will tell what move Hiddink will make, whether he will stay with his currently dejected Russia side or whether he will move on. A move to the Premier League should not be ruled out; the man himself was quick to point out how much he enjoyed his time in England. As a Chelsea fan myself, I would be happy to see Hiddink return to the Premiership, although I will obviously be wary of the threat in which his team will pose, it would be nice to see the man return, and you never know, maybe one day he will end up at Stamford Bridge.

The other strongest European countries all qualified for the finals in South Africa next summer, with some nations more impressive than others. Spain and The Netherlands both won all of their matches and topped Group 5 and 9 respectively, and Spain especially who have Liverpool’s Fernando Torres and Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas among their ranks, will head into the tournament as one of the favourites. Elsewhere Italy and Germany both remained unbeaten, and will be there or there abouts at the FIFA 2010 World Cup once again.

England led by Fabio Capello were in good form as they won their first 9 qualifying matches, and expectations will be high once more come next summer. With many Premiership stars featuring, including Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, a fully-fit England can compete with almost anyone. The other group winners were Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia and Serbia, who will all provide a tough test for any nation in the tournament next summer after coming through one of the toughest qualifying sections.

The 4 play-off fixtures decided the last four World cup qualifiers from the European section, and France, Portugal, Greece and Slovenia all progressed in varying circumstances. The most controversial game was the match between France and Ireland, where the fixture was heading to penalties before France scored thanks to a helping hand from Barcelona striker Thierry Henry to break Irish hearts. Elsewhere, Greece secured a 1-0 aggregate win over Ukraine, Slovenia caused an upset and won an ill-tempered encounter with Russia, and Portugal who were without injured Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo cruised past Bosnia-Hercegovina.