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The death of long time North Korean leader Kim Jung Il was greeted with shed loads of tears by North Koreans living within the secretive Communist state. Kim Jung Il’s death has also triggered memories of Jong Sae-Te’s heart-wrenching tears before North Korea’s match with Brazil at World Cup 2010.
It was eye-opening stuff and it would be safe to say that Jong Sae-Te’s tears of joy and passion prior to his countries 2-1 defeat to Brazil at last year’s World Cup was the day that the world fell in love in love with North Korea.
Ummmm…on second thoughts…
Here at In The Stands we try to give you the best football writers on the interweb. So without further ado here is our latest addition, Dave from football-banter.com…
Ever since England were knocked out of the World Cup in embarrassing style by Germany there’s been a growing support for Howard Webb. It was announced yesterday that Webb will referee the 2010 World Cup final and there are endless stories in the press about this.
Are we so pathetic and patriotic that we must find something or someone English to get behind to see us through to the end of the tournament? Will there be fans on Sunday in pubs kitted out in replica referee shirts cheering the decisions of the man in charge? Come off it. This is Howard Webb we’re talking about. Do we really care?
A divided France showed little fight today , failing to amend for mumbles behind the scenes.
France were stunned early on when when South Africa took the lead in the 20th minute. Poor marking and abysmal keeping allowed Bongani Khumalo to shoulder home at the near post.
Many South African fans almost saw their dreams come true as a soft sending off for Gourcuff coupled with a bundled in goal from Katlego Mphela put them within one goal of qualification. They were now in the driving seat.
However dreams were crushed In the second half when French substitute Malouda slotted home after good work from Ribery.
But…what I want to talk about is the attitude of the french side throughout this tournament. I massively dislike Domenech, but the French FA have decided to trust him and the players need to stop using him as a scapegoat.
The 4-4-2: Tried, tested and certainly tiring, it’s about time that England mixed it up a bit.
Therefore I propose that Capello should look at playing 4-5-1, employing Rooney as the main man up front.
4-5-1:
This formation obviously keeps a solid back four, this should include: Johnson, Terry, King, A. Cole (When all fit of course). The midfield should ideally contain two defensive minded midfielders; in an ideal world this would have been perfect for Barry and Hargreaves. Instead this 4-5-1 will rely on Barry as the single DMC. In central midfield there will contain Lampard and Gerrard. Although the US game highlighted the imbalance in England’s midfield, this role allows them to be attacking minded because they are safe in the knowledge that Barry is behind them. It also means that Gerrard is not forced to the less preferred left-side.
On the wings England should look at Lennon and J. Cole to inject energy into the flanks. These players should look to get behind the opponents defence and into advanced crossing positions. Ideally a left footed player should be on the left side and I think Capello was unwise not to include Adam Johnson. He is not a player graced with the same pace as Lennon, but he has the skill to beat his man. Additionally, his crossing is a strong part of his game, something we have missed without Beckham.
So with England out choosing a second team was next on the Agenda. Normally I would go down the blood route, but seeing as both of these didn’t even qualify I thought I would go for the Dutch…
They have always been an attractive attacking side, but the truth is that as an England fan they pose no threat (Mainly because we gave them a 4-0 drubbing during Euro 96).
Another reason was that the team contained a good amount of English based players, in particular: Denis Bergkamp. The flying dutchman – coined ironically as he fears flying – gave England fans something to cheer when his wonder strike sunk the Argies. A world class touch, turn and finish resulting in a goal sure to be considered one of the greatest in the competition.
Since being born I have lived through five World Cups. (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006). But only three of which I have the capacity to remember and enjoy. Out of these my favourite has to be my first: World Cup 1998.
Admittedly, I was a late bloomer to the football bug but France 98 confirmed any doubts I had about the sport. It all started when England triumphantly qualified with a well fought draw in Rome. We had a squad of players oozing with skill, grit and determination, with the likes of Beckham, Incey, Gazza, Macca, Sheringham, Shearer and Seaman. The team was incredibly well equipt with strength in depth throughout… needless to say, England posed a good chance of going far.
I remember watching the opening match from a caravan in a shitty English resort, a holiday that I only remember for the game of Brazil against Scotland. It was set to be a one sided affair, but Scotland dug deep and managed to come back from loosing and early goal. Brazil needed defender Tom Boyd to stick it in his own net to secure victory.
One of the biggest talking points this World Cup is the altitude. And there might well be something to that…
In Group A, the hosts, South Africa face France, Mexico and Uruguay. I quite fancy France to progress deep into the tournament but I have a feeling they will get off to a slow start as they have a history of doing so. There’s obvious unrest there, with Laurent Blanc already appointed to succeed current boss, Raymond Domenech.
My tip for this group, however, is for Mexico to qualify. Mexico performed admirably against England the other night and that was one of eight friendlies organised between the start of May and the World Cup starting. They are a well oiled, slick moving and quick side.
But crucially, they’re used to altitude. Their national stadium is the Estadio Azteca, which is at 2,240m above sea level. They also have at least seven other stadiums 1500m or more above sea level. Interestingly, their three group games are in Johannesburg, Polokwane and Rustenburg, with altitudes of 1753m, 1312m and 1500m above sea level.
As everywhere you look, someone is giving their opinion on the England game the other night and how that affects our chances of lifting the World Cup, I thought we’d give ours.
Quite frankly Mexico were the better team. But there a few things to remember, this was our first friendly, our players are tired and carrying little niggles after a long season. Mexico, on the other hand, have played 5 friendlies already in May and have 3 more planned before the tournament begins. They’re well drilled and are used to playing with each other, and it showed.
Mexico’s passing was slick and they quick. Where they were left short though was in the air. England were ruthless, scoring twice from aerial duals.
Let’s look at how the English players performed:
ROB GREEN: Made one brilliant save and another decent one, flapped at a free kick though. Conclusion: already on the plane, did chances no harm for a starting berth.
After England’s unconvincing win over Mexico, it appears everyone is banging on about how good Robert Green was…
Yes, he made one cracking save and another decent save. But did anyone else notice the glaring howler he made, of a free kick which was whipped in, bounced off the turf, off his chest and back out into the middle of the penalty box. Quite why the Mexico boys weren’t following it up I don’t know, but if Green had made that mistake against any team which were paying attention it would have cost them dear.
Had Mexico had scored off that, I would be sitting here reading headlines of how Green cost us and how he has no place at the World Cup.
One mistake is all it takes, at international level, games are so cagey and often decided by one moment like this.
For years England have been sorted in the left-back area, Ashley Cole a solid pacey fullback (albeit a complete tosser) and Wayne Bridge who is arguably a better all round left-back with a great left foot. But within weeks Cole goes and breaks his ankle, and Wayne Bridge gives up the chance to be in the first 11 for the World Cup all because John Terry slept with his FORMER missus. What man would give up the potential to be playing in the world cup final all because of a grudge?
So with all that in the past its time for Fabio Capello to make a decision, Who does he take as his first choice left back?… Nicky Shorey? Err No.
Joleon Lescott
Struggled for fitness and has looked off colour since joining Manchester City for a ridiculous fee, has never really impressed for England either.
Leighton Baines
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