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Here’s a new post from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Carlos Quieroz Learns Words Do Actually Hurt” . See more here:
Carlos Quieroz Learns Words Do Actually Hurt

The year 2010 has certainly not been a favorite of Carlos Quieroz. Even if some had higher hopes, the World Cup run was met with the expected outcome for many – Spain and then done – but the rest has seemingly been one mess after another.

There was the shoving match with a journalist at an airport in February, shortly followed by the major saga in which he said mean things to anti-doping officials, who are seemingly the most fragile people on earth. This initially cost him one month via the Portuguese federation, and now the big boys have suspended him a further six months.

Might be time to dust off the ol’ resume.

The institute’s 31-page report said that after hearing evidence from all those involved in the incident it concluded that Queiroz’s intimidating behaviour had unsettled the anti-doping team and that, consequently, one of the inspectors failed to correctly carry out a test at the training camp.

None of the players tested positive.

Queiroz has said he was angry that the unannounced early morning tests had disturbed the players and admitted that he used inappropriate language.

It would seem that if yelling at people were a punishable crime and Quieroz is being punished, his mentor, Sir Alex, should be hit with at least a two-month sentence based on influence. Something like a child’s faux pas – the kid is at fault, but the real culprit is bad parenting. That and television. (Six of one…)

On the plus side, I’ve got a feeling Carlos will be able to fill his months following the Black Eyed Peas on tour. Silver lining.

See more here:
Carlos Quieroz Learns Words Do Actually Hurt

Here’s an interesting post from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “The World Cup Killed Online Poker” . Read more:
The World Cup Killed Online Poker

Everyone anticipated that the World Cup would be a distraction, but the size of the distraction was vastly underestimated, and as a result online poker sites have seen their profits plummet.

Can we not all agree that online poker is the “distraction” and not the other way ’round? Poker’s nice and all, surely, but the World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the land – it deserves its due respect. Or else…

And maybe that’s why it took online poker down for the month of June.

One of the big ones didn’t anticipate just how much of a “distraction” the World Cup would cause.

Something says that’s not good business foresight.

Share holders in one company who were expecting a healthy dividend have been disappointed by the news that in order to preserve its diminished supply of cash, the company has cancelled its half yearly interim dividend. During the first six months of the year their profits fell by 56% to £2.7 million.

Even though this is just one company, we can take a wild guess and say the pinch was felt somewhat across the board.

So don’t mess with the World Cup – it will take you down. (56% or thereabouts.)

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The World Cup Killed Online Poker

Here’s a good post from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Bob Bradley Staying on as USA Coach Until 2014. Why It’s the Right Move.” . Link:
Bob Bradley Staying on as USA Coach Until 2014. Why It’s the Right Move.

Seems those recent Jürgen Klinsmann to coach USA rumours were as baseless as, well, as a story with no identifiable source. Because current coach Bob Bradley has now signed a contract extension to coach the US national team until the end of 2014. I know that this probably will not be popular with a vocal section of US fans, but here’s how US Soccer explained their decision:

U.S. Soccer has agreed to a contract extension with U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley. The agreement with Bradley, who guided the U.S. team to numerous achievements including finishing in first place in their group at the 2010 FIFA World Cup for the first time in 80 years, will keep him at the helm through the end of 2014.

Frankly, I think I agree with Sunil Gulati and co. I know a lot of US fans are impatient and wanted a more glamorous name in charge of the team. But I’m thinking this is the right move. Here’s why:

Bob Bradley really did lead the US team to the top of World Cup group for the first time. That’s progress. Sure he made a mistake in starting Ricardo Clark against Ghana. But is Ricardo Clark really so bad that giving him a shirt is a sackable offence? The answer is no, it’s not. Don’t forget that Bradley’s USA team also beat Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup and came thisclose to taking down Brazil and winning the whole thing too.

I’d also argue that there seems to be a genuine team spirit around the US team at the moment. A genuine positive vibe. Why ruin that by removing the man who created it? Most importantly, there was no viable replacement. Guus Hiddink is working for Turkey and Jürgen Klinsmann apparently isn’t interested. Last but not least, Bob Bradley is probably the most qualified American coach for the job right now.

I’d argue that being American is uniquely important for the US job. Not necessarily for patriotic reasons (though I suppose that helps) but more because US Soccer and Major League Soccer and the whole American system is a labyrinth of quirks that only a coach like Bradley who knows that world can navigate successfully.

So no, four more years of Bob Bradley may not be the most glamorous option. But if US fans want the team to continue making steady progress between now and 2014, then it might be the right one.

- Melissa over at the USA blog has taken the decision as a mixed blessing, and is preparing for “four more years of sideline scowls and the most magnificent sweatpants collection in FIFA.”

Link:
Bob Bradley Staying on as USA Coach Until 2014. Why It’s the Right Move.

Here’s a new article from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Why Russia Should Not Host World Cup 2018″ . Continue reading here:
Why Russia Should Not Host World Cup 2018

England and Russia are two of the front-runners to host World Cup 2018, and FIFA are in England this week assessing the English bid. I’m an England fan and therefore biased, but I’m now 100% sure Russia should not be hosting the World Cup eight years from now.

I have no idea how long the above banner – in which racist Lokomotiv Moscow fans thank West Brom for buying their Nigerian-Russian striker Peter Odemwingie – was tolerated for, but the fact that is was unfurled at all suggests that the Russian football authorities still have some work to do before hosting the rest of the world.

You might be pleased to hear that an Odemwingie-less Lokomotiv lost 3-0 to Dynamo Moscow this weekend, while West Brom beat Sunderland 1-0 with Odemwingie scoring on his debut. Which suggests that Lokomotov fans are confused in more ways than one, because it’s West Brom fans who should be thanking them.

Continue reading here:
Why Russia Should Not Host World Cup 2018

Here’s an interesting article from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Paul the Octopus Joins England World Cup Bid” . Read more from the original source:
Paul the Octopus Joins England World Cup Bid

When I heard that Paul the Octopus was recording an album titled Paul the Octopus Sings Elvis, I cried a little for the state of the world. But I also took comfort in the fact that this whole octopus thing had reached a firm upper limit of bizarreness. Because things don’t get any weirder or stupider than a cephalopod mollusc who a) lives underwater and b) has no vocal cords, somehow recording an album. Of Elvis songs. I was of course wrong.

Because Paul the Octopus has been made an ambassador for England’s 2018 World Cup bid. Yep, England’s. After Paul achieved his fame in a German tank predicting Germany’s results, he’s going to be the face of the England World Cup bid.

My initial reaction is that this is typical of English football. England has no quality underwater ambassadors of their own, despite being mostly surrounded by water. There are of course some talented young barnacles in the English channel. But they lack experience. So the England World Cup bid has paid an expensive foreigner to perform its ambassadorial duties.

However, turns out that – much like Simone Perrotta – Paul was actually born in England. Specifically in Weymouth:

“Paul has spent the last two years of his life in Germany, but he is definitely a proud Englishman,” Weymouth Sea Life Center manager Nicola Hamilton said. “We have had a number of football approaches from around the world, but Paul was only ever going to choose his homeland.”

Of course he was. And I’m sure Paul was fully involved in that decision.

This might bring a bit of publicity to the England World Cup bid, but feels like a pretty tacky stunt to me, and one that could very easily backfire. How long before Paul pulls a Lord Triesman and gets trapped into predicting something terrible about the Russians by a tabloid journalist?

Read more from the original source:
Paul the Octopus Joins England World Cup Bid

Here’s a new article from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Radomir Antic: Football’s Most Loved Employee” . Go here to read the rest:
Radomir Antic: Football’s Most Loved Employee

Most if not all, want to be loved and appreciated. Some even require it for the most basic of life’s relationships, be it personal, professional or otherwise.

Serbian coach Radomir Antic is no such man. Love him, hate him, cut his pay – it matters not. He’ll still coach your team. At least when he’s not serving a fairly lengthy suspensions.

The relationship was coming to an end, with Serbia looking elsewhere after the rather disappointing showing at the World Cup, and even with an impressive qualifying campaign in Antic’s rearview mirror. The Serbian FA could not find an adequate replacement for Antic, however, and decided in the end that it was simply best to keep him on – as Plan D or whatever.

Something they didn’t mind at all sharing with the world.

Serbia Football Association president Tomislav Karadzic said on Thursday that keeping Antic “is not the best solution, but we have no better candidate.”

I’d love to see Karadzic’s marriage vows. “You’re not quite the girl of my dreams, but you’ll do.”

And to reward Antic for showing up at a job where he isn’t really wanted, he’ll have his pay cut in half. Right down the middle. Granted, €50k a month is pretty decent by real life standards (as opposed to the fake football world ones), but still – 50% is 50%.

So if you see Antic out there, give him a hug and remind him that someone does actually love him. And also point him in the general direction of some sales.

Go here to read the rest:
Radomir Antic: Football’s Most Loved Employee

Here’s an interesting article from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “The Battle For Germany’s Soul Rages On” . Read more here:
The Battle For Germany’s Soul Rages On

There are two things Michael Ballack doesn’t do:

i. Win tournament finals.

ii. Give up the German captaincy without a fight. Or a half-Nelson.

When Ballack went down before the World Cup, the band was handed over to that 12 year old fullback from Munich and with a good bit of success, in the process deciding he doesn’t want to give it back. This displeases Michael Ballack.

The grumbling in the press has gone on for weeks and it seems the only way to settle the matter is a steel cage match to the death, with the winner getting the band and a free Wii. Michael, like any good athlete, has already declared the winner before this landmark battle occurs, predictably crowning himself the victor.

“For me, the matter is clear,” Ballack told Soccernet. “I’m the captain of Germany and intend to take on the role again when I’m fit. I can’t wait to lead Germany into the Euro 2012 qualifiers and make a success of it. I believe in myself as the captain and think I’ve the personality to do it.

But the German public has spoken, and in resounding fashion: they want Lahm.

German sports agency SID, an AFP subsidiary, authorised a poll which saw 60.3 percent of those surveyed say Bayern Munich defender Lahm should remain captain having led Germany to third at the World Cup.

Only 26.2 percent of those polled thought Ballack, who missed the 2010 World Cup with an ankle injury, should be made captain for Germany’s first Euro 2012 qualifier against Belgium in Brussels on September 3.

It means very little, but says so very much, and leads to the theory there’s only one way this will end up: in tears.

Read more here:
The Battle For Germany’s Soul Rages On

Here’s a new article from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Martin Palermo Is Not Messi’s Biggest Fan” . Continue reading here:
Martin Palermo Is Not Messi’s Biggest Fan

Little Lionel received something of a mixed bag this summer over his performance. He was undeniably brilliant throughout much of it, overshadowed by no one heading into the quarterfinals, but then was taken out of the game against Germany, largely attributed to Jogi Loew’s tactical abilities and Diego Maradona’s lack of the very same.

The critics were there, and one has emerged from inside the Argentinean camp.

“Messi isn’t Maradona,” Palermo said Monday on America TV. “To me, Messi does not have Maradona’s mentality. He’s not prepared to carry the team.

“He (Messi) is not one to take the role of leader. He won’t do it because he’s not used to this position. He grew up in another way, he’s lived differently. He’s been with Barcelona since he was 12.”

Messi is not God – not yet, anyway – but there’s something very important to remember here which Martin has seemingly forgot:

The boy is 23 years old. If one’s leadership skills at 23 are the be-all and end-all to his legacy – even someone of Lionel’s ilk – then we might as well pack it up and go home. The absurdity has finally won.

Continue reading here:
Martin Palermo Is Not Messi’s Biggest Fan

Here’s an interesting article from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Soundoff: Would You Eliminate World Cup Draws?” . Go here to see the original:
Soundoff: Would You Eliminate World Cup Draws?

Though the World Cup is no stranger to structural changes – 18 World Cups, 18 World Cup rulebooks, it seems – the announcement that FIFA may eliminate draws for the World Cup is still a thumping headline for an organization which has balked at some much desired rule changes recently.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says consideration is being given to scrapping the draw at the World Cup by bringing in a penalty shootout after 90 minutes or using the golden goal in extra time.

Blatter said Saturday on Germany’s Focus weekly that the changes could make the tournament more interesting, claiming teams “above all do not want to lose — that makes for a boring game.”

The immediate thought of more penalty shootouts forces a cringe, since it’s so often a cruel roll of the dice to determine the victor, and golden goal isn’t far behind after witnessing a World Cup with so many suspect goal decisions on almost a daily basis. (Priorities, Sepp.)

But it would certainly make the game more exciting, less cautious and, to a point, reward the more adventurous teams, though you’d still get a number of teams hoping for the fluke goal and/or penalties and the balance of power would shift away from the Cinderella even further.

So what’s your say? Would this be a good or bad move for the future of football’s grand occasion?

Go here to see the original:
Soundoff: Would You Eliminate World Cup Draws?

Here’s a good post from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Brazil 2-0 USA: Say Hallo to Neymar” . Visit link:
Brazil 2-0 USA: Say Hallo to Neymar

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the new Brazil. After the more pragmatic and less exciting Dunga years (an approach which won the Copa America and Confederations Cup, but failed at World Cup 2010) new coach Mano Menezes seems to have his team playing the way we all – rightly or wrongly – expect Brazil to play. Even better, he’s doing it with kids.

This new look Brazil beat the USA 2-0 in New Jersey last night. No more Gilberto Silva playing defensive mid in this team, no more workhorses. Just lots of passing, moving and dribbling.

Even established stars like Kaka were not called for this game (though I’m sure he’ll be back). Instead we had the youth and exuberance of international debutant Neymar, who scored the first goal with his head but mostly impressed by playing wide left and terrorizing American defenders. I’ll bet good money that Jonathan Spector had nightmares about little men with mohawks. Alexandre Pato got Brazil’s second, rounding Tim Howard after Ramires had split the US defence with one pass. Ganso did the playmaking, and was unlucky not to score when his shot bounced back off the post towards the end of the game.

Robinho wore the captain’s armband, which may have been because Menezes wanted to send a message about what his team will be like, but is more likely because Robinho was the most experienced player on an inexperienced team. But still: Robinho wore the captain’s armband. I’m going to keep typing that until it makes sense.

Of course this was only one game, and it was a semi-experimental friendly. But the way Brazil passed the ball, dominated play, and made fools of US defenders means that Brazil will at the very least be fun to watch again under Menenez. Roll on Copa America 2011.

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Brazil 2-0 USA: Say Hallo to Neymar