Sports Then and Now

Maradona and his squad will be looking for goals in their quarterfinal match with Germany.

Both Argentina and Germany will be going into their quarter final clash full of confidence. Germany completely demolished England, in their second round match. Argentina came through last 16 match against Mexico, in a match they dominated, they won 3-1.

After previously not scoring in the tournament, Carlos Tevez scored two goals, his first was clearly offside but given none the less. His second was a touch of genius, from the Manchester City striker, a stunning effort from the edge of the area. Read the rest of this entry →

Lionel Messi has solidified his position as the best player in the world.

Before this World Cup, the three players fighting for the title of the ‘world’s best player’ were Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi.

As we enter the quarter-final stage in South Africa, it looks as though Argentina’s Messi is winning the race. Although he is yet to score at these finals, he has been instrumental in Argentina’s success so far and if you are to bet world cup 2010  money on Argentina to win the trophy, you just know he will be at the centre of things.

Rooney and England flopped massively at the second hurdle. Ronaldo never really got going as his Portugal team went out also at the last 16 stage. Argentina and Messi march on. Read the rest of this entry →

French faithful cannot be happy with the performance of their team so far in the 2010 World Cup.

France is staring World Cup elimination in the face and it feels like they are “a small football nation”, according to captain Patrice Evra.

Two years ago Les Blues crashed out of Euro 2008 with just one point from their three group games and that feat will be repeated unless they are able to get a result against South Africa next week.

However, even a victory may not be enough to secure a second round spot for France. The other remaining Group A game sees Mexico play Paraguay and a draw will see both sides through to the knockout stages. The World Cup odds suggest Les Blues are going home.

It’s a far cry from the lofty expectations held by France fans before the tournament kicked off. Most expected the side to top the group comfortably, but a turgid 0-0 with Paraguay and a desperate 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mexico means they are highly likely to fall at the first hurdle. Read the rest of this entry →

Clint Dempsey scored the lone goal for the U.S.A. in the 1-1 tie with England.

Saturday afternoon the United States men’s national team drew in their game against England with a score of 1-1. This draw was not just any draw, however. In most games, a draw is about the same as a loss, but Saturday’s game was just the second matchup between England and the United States in the World Cup over the last 60 years.

A heavily favored England team scored right off the bat in the fourth minute, taking the wind right out the United States’ sails with a goal by English Captain Steven Gerrard. We didn’t give up, however, sticking with them, and later capitalizing on a mistake by English goalie Robert Green in the 40th minute. Clint Dempsey’s goal tied the game at 1-1 and the score would remain a tie until the final whistle blew.

A tie against this seemingly overpowering English team is as good as win. Group C is made up the United States, England, Algeria and Slovenia this year, with the United States and England being the two favorites to advance. There is a good chance these two will meet again and hopefully it goes the same way it went 60 years ago, the last time the United States and England met in the World Cup.

In 1950, the United States beat England 1-0 in Brazil after a score by Joe Gaetjens in the 37th minute. This was such a huge upset that the English newspapers thought they were misinformed of the outcome, actually printing some newspapers with a score of 10-1 in favor of England. That wasn’t the case and the game would go down as one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Read the rest of this entry →

Fabio Capello has tried to keep the press away from his team.

Perhaps the biggest off-field difference between the managerial reign of Fabio Capello and that of his predecessors has been the handling of the press.

In the past team sheets for pre-tournament friendlies would be received by reporters and World Cup match betting experts well in advance of kick off, while coaching staff and players seemed to be available for interview no matter what.

Sven Goran Eriksson especially gave the impression that the media circus was not only an inescapable fact of international football but should also be actively encouraged. Perhaps the nadir of this little love in was the glitzy press conference he used to announce his squad for the 2006 World Cup. 

Fast forward four years and things couldn’t be more different Capello has largely shut out the press and although keeping them in the dark has bred some resentment among the less reputable areas of the press, there’s no doubt it has gained him wider respect. Read the rest of this entry →

Franz Beckenbauer won the World Cup as a player and a coach.

Plenty is known about the big players at this year’s World Cup, but what about the coaches? The men in charge have a vital role to play, as there is little between the potential winners and the tactical nous of the managers might prove crucial.

Bitter rivals Brazil and Argentina are united by their coaches. Virtually all of the other main challengers have experienced managers with extensive club management behind them, but in Dunga and Diego Maradona, the South Americans have leaders who are in their first serious management post.

Legendary national careers were seemingly enough to persuade the men in suits that the former World Cup-winning captains could emulate Franz Beckenbauer in lifting the trophy as player and then as a rookie manager.

Dunga has the better chance of securing this special double and, not least because his is the more complete team. The World Cup odds reflect this. However, Brazil are more fancied partly because of the calm leadership of the coach, who has four years experience in the post and knows his squad inside out. Read the rest of this entry →