WORLD CUP 2010 South Africa

Same thing here......... police took over after the security company were axed, so to speak. (Probably the same security company?) So far, we have gone through all this without major incident.

I couldn't watch the match between USA and Slovenia. I hear it was a thriller.

USA 2
Slovenia 2

Now, England was the firm favourite to win, so can any Brit explain to me how it could have turned out this way? With all the Rooneys, Gerrards, Terrys, Lampards etc. I can't believe the score. Dissapointing...

England 0
Algeria 0

I love hearing all the comments, you guys have been giving. Keep it coming!

They just didn't play well- I personally didn't think the English were aggressive enough- didn't take enough shots, tried passes when they could have gone for the net- it's a real shame. Algeria played quite well- I don't think the English were expecting such a tough challenge, and sorely underestimated them. A lot of the big name squads have been doing that.

Big names don't always mean anything if they can't get it together. Hopefully the team will pull together and win their next match.

England played predictable and uninspired. Algeria played OK but they were not that great either.
The big surprise today for me was Slovenia. I hope they make it to the next round.

England were firm favourites to win but their tactics were too predictable. The English team aren't used to the tactics the manager chose. Also Gerrard the captain was played out of position which didn't help. The fans over here in England are disappointed with the draw because they've been favourites in their last two matches but have yet to reach expectations. It'll be tougn when England play Slovenia but i think they'll scrape through.

Uguu...hope there's no riots because of the fanatics. People seem to go crazy no matter who wins.

Talking about riots, I live in Cape Town and the Capetonian police had to strenghen their presence for handling British fans after the game. Luckily today in the newspaper they didn't report any serious incidents.

I also read that Europeans started buying vuvuzelas as well. They reported sales in Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium etc. Don't know what to say about that! The noise is awful!

In an interview with Fifa they said that so far they are very impressed at how South Africa is hosting the World Cup. That's great.

I'm currently watching the Netherlands / Japan game.

In 1652 the Dutch, under Jan van Riebeeck colonised South Africa, but the Portuguese explorer, Bartolomeu Dias, had already discovered the country in 1487.

Today we have a population of just under 50 million people, an estimated quarter of which are unemployed. Our nation consists of 79,3 % Blacks, 9,1 % Whites, 9 % Mixed race and 2,6 % Asian(mostly Indians).

Now, I have to go follow the game again.

Well, so the Dutch are still on their winning streak so far..

Netherlands 1
Japan 0

Ghana 1
Australia 1

An angry English fan managed to enter into the England team dressing room last night in Cape Town and insulted David Beckham! He escaped the security and police are looking for him. I don't think they'll ever find him! Fifa appologized to England and said that this will never happen again. We'll see... Enjoy the soccer and let's hear some more comments!

I am of the opinion that Club Soccer Teams play better than those of a specific country. For instance if Manchester United took on Algeria last night, I think they would have won at least 2 - 0. I really think the Barcelona team is better than Spain, Inter Milan is better than Italy, and so forth. These clubs practice together for about 2 thirds of a year. The players of a country doesn't have that much time to practice together. So they don't play so well as a unit. I mean, I have seen a much better level of soccer whenever I've seen the best teams in say the British Premier League, Italian Serie A or Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga etc play. I think you see more goals also when you watch soccer clubs play. I know this has no bearing on the World Cup, but this is my opinion. What do you guys out there think?

I just watched a very high quality game. Enjoyed it a lot.

Denmark 2
Cameroon 1

I'm sorry Cameroon lost, as there are very slim hopes now of any African team going through to the last 16.

A truly barbaric thing happened in South Africa yesterday. In an informal settlement a man of 61 was strapped to a chair and killed by beating and stabbing by his own family. The reason: His family thought that he was watching too much soccer and they wanted to watch something different. I have no words to describe how I feel about this...

The Paraguay / Slovakia match is on at the moment. But I'm very much looking forward to the Italian / New Zealand game later on. And then tonight of course the Brazil / Ivory Coast game. Italy and Brazil would have to start showing their strength now. I wish there could be some more goals. This has been a World Cup with few goals so far. And to me, watching stunning, world class goals are the best part of soccer. Though I must admit, seeing those brilliant step overs and wonderful tricks with the ball are great too!

A guy on the radio said that the sound of vuvuzelas on TV sounds a lot like millions of bees on steroids! Quite true. On TV they are fine, but hearing even just one next to you is awful!

Anyway, you guys, enjoy the soccer and let's get the comments coming!

Paraguay really deserved the win they had. I'd say they are definitely going through to the last 16.

Paraguay 2
Slovakia 0

Italy dissapointed me again. Both teams played very well. And New Zealand defended exceptionally. It was an exciting match, but Italians live for their soccer and they can do much better. New Zealand isn't even a soccer country really. They live for their rugby. In the game against Slovakia, I expect much better of you, Italy.

Italy 1
New Zealand 1

Looking forward to the Brazil / Ivory Coast game. I wonder if Didier Drogba will be playing for the Ivorians. Please, please, give as more goals!
Why is there so few goals in this World Cup?

Yes! More goals! Beautiful goals from Luis Fabiano (2), Elano and Didier Drogba. And tempers flaring at the end of the match. Kaka getting sent off! Exciting stuff.

Brazil 3
Ivory Coast 1

Hi Eljay,

I agree with what you said about club soccer teams and country soccer teams.
The coaches of the country soccer teams have to create a united team within a few weeks, not an easy job for sure. Perhaps that is the reason that many World Cup winners didn’t play that well in the first round of those World Cups? I think Italy is a nice example: they had three ties in the first round of 1982, but they won the World Cup with beautiful soccer after the first round.

I wasn’t able to watch a lot of soccer this weekend, except for ‘my’ Dutch team and I watched Brazil today. The game ended in an unpleasant way; the red card was uncalled for. But the win for Brazil was deserved; Brazil has showed their strength now, I think.

Hi Eljay,

I totally agree with you regarding club and national football teams. It can be hard to create harmony on and off the pitch in a national team in such little time. Take for example France their national team refused to train today because of an internal argument such matters are dealt differently at club level. Also a national team may have great individual footballers but this doesn't mean they'll create a unified team take for example England and Italy's team and results. I think this quote sums my opinion up "It's easy to spot players who have ability. What's not so straightforward is realising which personalities will combine well to form a strong team"

I've been enjoying the matches this past weekend and have been impressed by Brazil the most. They've had the best team and results. Hopefully there will be more goals upcoming!

So, they caught the British soccer fan, who entered the British team dressing room after the game. He had to pay R500 bail money and has to appear in court some time. Also took away his passport. He says he was only looking for a loo!

A stupid French fan managed to sneak a poor chicken into the stadium where the French played. I think that's very cruel and I think the Animal Anti Cruelty League should have made a case against the guy. Since the French played so bad, I wonder if the poor animal is still alive... I absolutely love animals.

A South African allegedly called his twins Bafana and Mexico. They were born on the day that the World Cup started with that match!

In South Africa the traditional healers are now making concoctions to find good luck for the upcoming Bafana Bafana(South Africa) game against the French. I'd better not say anything more...

Remember I told you that a Portuguese explorer, Bartholomeu Diaz, discovered South Africa back in 1487? Well, the Portuguese team layed a wreath at a big statue of him in Heerengracht Street, Cape Town. They play in the Cape Town stadium this afternoon.

Well, maybe the statue of Diaz brought luck to the Portuguese, because what a scintillating, skillful game they had! Wow, the 7 goals (Simao, Meireles, Ronaldo etc, ect, ect.) was the feast I've been waiting for. I don't think after this anyone will blame the Jabulani Fifa soccer ball anymore! I actually felt sorry for the North Koreans!

Portugal 7
North Korea 0



Chile 1
Switzerland 0



I was glad to see the Spanish making a comeback after the dreadfull start they had in their first game. I mean, they are ranked No.1. I thought they played very well, but should have scored at least 2 more goals. David Villa was great, but a player of his stature can't miss a penalty kick. He should have had a hatrick.

Spain 2
Honduras 0

What a great tournament!! (Except for that needlessly and purposely disqualified U.S. goal.) Portugal was great today. The teams from South America are impressive - Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay (in alpha order as they are all really, really good.) Viva Slovenia!!

Portugal was amazing! What a thriller!
In the west end of Toronto it was all flags, whistles and....vuvuzelas!!

Gee wiz, you should have seen the Portuguese tourists and fans partying in the Cape Town area after the game. South Africa has quite a big Portuguese community as well. That was a game every soccer lover should have seen!


Sani Kaita, midfielder from Nigeria, was sent off during the Nigeria / Greece game. After that he started receiving death threats by e-mail. By now he has received close to a 1000, all from Nigeria. The SA police are now helping to keep him safe during the World Cup. But what about when he goes home? How can people be so petty and cruel?

I suffer from very bad General Anxiety Disorder and other stuff. I can't work due to this. My psychiatrist doesn't have a problem with giving me enough benzodiazepam(Valium) to cope. But you see I love soccer and the excitement is great. But a year ago I thought I would not be alive to watch the World Cup, 'cos I was in dire straits and tried to commit suicide. Now with the excitement, I also get more nervous(?) and need to take more Valium. I won't be able to get more Valium than usual from my docter, so if there's days that I can't keep you up to date as I want to, I hope you understand. I'm just glad I'm not depressed while the World Cup is on. We must all look after ourselves first. As I'm sitting here I'm so nervous, but we must keep hope alive for a better future!

Eljay,

Some nervous feelings are normal....as the nervous feeling from the excitement of the games....it is not bad to feel that nervous exciting feeling. It's the nervous feelings we have when there is no cause that is the problem & need to be treated. Always remember, there is good & bad anxiety feelings & we should allow ourselves to feel the good.

Maybe you could just let yourself enjoy that exciting feeling & realize that some of those feelings are just normal human reactions to situations. When the reaction isn't a normal reaction, then it needs to be handled.

Glad you are so enjoying the games. It's hard not having a TV to see things like this. Guess they have TV on the internet, I just haven't gotten to use it yet....too many other things to keep me busy.

South America has always been known for it's soccer.....that was how it evolved into the US (we didn't even play soccer when I was growing up in California 1950's-1960's). Then the more influence from Mexico we got, the more common soccer became. It wasn't until the late 80's, 90's that it started to become popular & all the kids had their soccer games rather than the football that the kids of my growing up days had.

I still have a hard time following soccer just like I have a hard time following basketball with all the fast moving action......but it sure takes a lot of good talent & coordination on the players parts. Very impressive.