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Here’s an interesting post from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “FIFA’s World Cup 2010 Technical Report is 289 Pages of Fluff” . Follow this link:
FIFA’s World Cup 2010 Technical Report is 289 Pages of Fluff

FIFA has released its World Cup 2010 Technical Report in the form of a 9.28 megabyte pdf document. Which might sound impressive, but only if you haven’t read it. Because this thing is 289 pages of fluff, in four different languages.

The document basically contains a lot of pictures, a lot of over-simplifications, and a lot of glossing over hard truths. In the “Story of the Tournament” section for example, Frank Lampard’s inexplicably unawarded goal for England vs Germany in the Second Round is related thusly: “They thought they had equalised but the goal was not given.” I know small children who could give a more detailed retelling of that event. No wonder FIFA have snuck this out the day before Euro qualifying begins, when we’re all focused on the next tournament and no longer care as much about the last one.

At least FIFA’s famed Technical Study Group were able to offer some valuable insights in the “Technical and Tactical Analysis” section though, right? Wrong. Instead we get gems like “The most successful teams also boasted fast, tricky attackers who were dangerous in front of goal.” Imagine that.

But by far the most worrying thing in the document is FIFA’s penchant for self-glorification. The first thing pointed out in the “Trends” chapter is:

Thanks to FIFA’s development programmes, which were launched by then FIFA Technical Director Joseph S. Blatter in 1975 before being expanded upon by the confederations and associations, there are no longer any “small” or “weak” national teams.

The adidas Jabulani matchball is not mentioned, despite being an obvious contributory factor to several events, including about half of Diego Forlan’s goals, and the “Refereeing Report” basically praises the physical conditioning and training that FIFA gave the referees. It does contain one paragraph acknowledging that refereeing errors were made, but seemingly only so FIFA can make excuses and reassure us that solutions are being worked on:

It is clear that errors – some of them serious – did occur in the hundreds of often very difficult decisions taken over the 64 matches. These errors are neither covered up nor justified but are meticulously analysed to learn from them and improve future training plans. The challenge is to work towards improvements.

The most disappointing this is that this report is basically a sales brochure. As if FIFA are trying to sell us a timeshare in Brazil for 2014. FIFA needs to realize that it’s OK. That we don’t need any convincing. That despite their multiple errors we still want them to arrange future World Cups, if only because no one else is capable of doing so.

Follow this link:
FIFA’s World Cup 2010 Technical Report is 289 Pages of Fluff

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 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.

Visit link:
Brazil 2-0 USA: Say Hallo to Neymar

Here’s a new post from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Podcast: Which Euro-Based American Player Will Have the Most Successful 2010/11?” . Original post:
Podcast: Which Euro-Based American Player Will Have the Most Successful 2010/11?

With the various European league seasons about to start, and the USA about to play Brazil in a friendly in New Jersey, the Total Football Soccer Show podcast (broadcast on WRIR 97.3FM, and published as a podcast here on WCB/The Offside) takes a look at American players in Europe, and who we think looks set for the most successful 2010/11 season.

To figure this out we decided to go with a good old fashioned bracket, taking the 16 best American players currently playing in Europe, ranking them #1 to #16 based in international caps, and then deciding who’s going to have the best season. Who do you expect to win? Michael Bradley? Tim Howard? Clint Dempsey? Click play below to listen…

- If you like the Total Football Soccer Show then join us on Facebook and/or subscribe via iTunes. Also, if you’re interested in starting your own soccer radio show then read this short article about how the show got started.

Original post:
Podcast: Which Euro-Based American Player Will Have the Most Successful 2010/11?

Here’s a good post from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Soundoff: What Next for Your National Team?” . See the article here:
Soundoff: What Next for Your National Team?

The World Cup is oh-ver, but international football continues. There’s the Asian Cup, Copa America, Africa Cup of Nations, Euros and then – before we know it – qualification for World Cup 2014 will begin. Maybe more importantly (at least for the purposes of this post) is that the immediate post-World Cup period is usually a time for change and rebirth.

International stalwart names like Thierry Henry, Fabio Cannavaro and Gio van Bronckhorst have all hung up their national team boots to make space in the changing room for new names. There’s a changing of the coaching guard too with Raymond Domenech, Marcello Lippi, Dunga and many many more moving on. The post-World Cup period is like spring, except it comes right after summer.

So here’s my question: What’s next for your national team?

Do you want a new coach? If so, who? Do you already have a new coach? Or is your old coach staying? If so, what do you want to see from them? Do you want a change in playing style? (Looking at you Dutch fans, Brazil fans.) Which new players do you want to see wearing the national team jersey?

I’m an England fan. Fabio Capello is staying on as manager and I’m OK with that. But I want to see a gradual phasing out of the old guard like John Terry and Steven Gerrard and an infusion of younger faster and fresher players like Theo Walcott and Gabby Agbonlahor. I want to see a little more flair and a little less ball in the air.

So, please share your hopes for your national team by letting us know:

1. Who is your team?
2. Keep the manager or replace him? (if replace, who with?)
3. What changes would you like to see on the pitch?

See the article here:
Soundoff: What Next for Your National Team?

Here’s a new article from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Is Nationality Important with National Coaches” . See the original post:
Is Nationality Important with National Coaches

The old adage, England invented the game and the Brazilians mastered it. You wouldn’t believe that if you watched the World Cup in South Africa, as both sides crashed out relatively early. Both are pondering the question of whether the nationality of a national coach is important, and if it is important, how much so?

England of course already have a non-English manager in the shape of Fabio Capello, but yesterday Sir Trevor Brooking added to the uneasy relationship with the manager, suggesting that the next coach would be English.

Brazil are without a manager and there are calls from inside Brazil at the thought of a non-Brazilian coach, as there are a lack of Brazilian names that spring instantly to mind (Leonardo is favourite to land the job, despite a underwhelming stay in Milan).

So how much does it matter?

Obviously some of you might know, I’m English, so naturally have been through this thought many a time – before Capello, we had Sven as manager. And while you’ll all be quick to remind me how underwhelming England were at the World Cup (and how), I really don’t think the fact we have an Italian manager is the reason we underperformed. There is a myriad of other reasons, but I don’t think the nationality of the coach is the relevant one.

Brazil, obviously, have a big heritage to live up to. And while its one thing for say, the Ivory Coast to have a non-national as manager (Sven again), I’m sure if Brazil were to employ one, some eyebrows would be raised.

But potentially there are alot of possibilities there, and the chance for someone to take an outsiders eye into the camp and try something a bit different. I think a manager does need a big understanding of the country he’s taking on and the history and so fourth, but naturally a coach born abroad can bring a different viewpoint which could be really good.

So I say Brazil should give it a go, if there are no Brazilians who are quite up to the level they expect. They’ve got nothing to lose.

See the original post:
Is Nationality Important with National Coaches

Here’s a good post from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “FIFA’s World Cup All-Star Team” . Read the original here:
FIFA’s World Cup All-Star Team

There are plenty of World Cup best XIs floating around. Mr. David Beckham did one just before the final, and we did two ourselves, split between semi-finalists and non-semi-finalists.

There’s only one XI that goes in the history books though, and that’s the FIFA one. The FIFA World Cup All-Star Team was decided by the votes of FIFA.com Club members (that’s folks who’ve signed up at the FIFA website) and the results were announced today. So, as voted for by fans, the World Cup All-Star Team is as follows:

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain)
Defenders: Philip Lahm (Germany), Carles Puyol (Spain), Maicon (Brazil), Sergio Ramos (Spain)
Midfielders: Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Xavi (Spain)
Forwards: Diego Forlan (Uruguay), David Villa (Spain)

That’s six members of the Spain team, and only one player – Brazil’s Maicon – who didn’t make the semi-finals. The teams also features three right backs and no left back.

Obviously it’s not worth being too pedantic about an All-Star team, but I think this shows that maybe an XI can’t really be selected via a fan vote. At least not unless there’s a separate vote for specific positions, like left back, that would otherwise be overlooked. Because now when future generations look back at World Cup 2010, they could easily assumethere were no decent left backs present, which is a shame for players like Uruguay’s Jorge Fucile and Portugal’s Fábio Coentrão. I think I’d much rather see the Best XI as selected by FIFA’s famed Technical Study Group.

Read the original here:
FIFA’s World Cup All-Star Team

Here’s a new article from FIFA.com – 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ – News

South American football has resumed business, with the countdown to Brazil 2014 already under way and plenty of activity on the domestic and international scenes.

Go here to read the rest:
Non-stop action in South America

Here’s a good article from FIFA World Cup – Google Blog Search

CLICK HERE: watchonlinesportsfree.com FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa vs. Mexico Uruguay vs. France Netherlands vs. Denmark Japan vs. Cameroon Italy vs. Paraguay New Zealand vs. Slovakia Ivory Coast vs. Portugal Brazil vs. …

Read more from the original source:
FIFA World Cup 2010 Argentina Funny Training HQ | World Cup South …

Here’s a new post from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Soundoff: Teams of the Tournament” .

Going over the “best team of the tournament” is always difficult since some really good players play for some inferior teams, and thus don’t get to strut their stuff late into the tournament, when most have already forgotten about them.

So we’ve solved the problem: one XI with those who’ve received maximum exposure – semifinal teams only – and one best XI of those dumped out in the quarterfinals or earlier.

Simple in theory, but agonizing in reality, as ever.

We’ve used the 4-2-3-1 since it was the predominant formation in this World Cup and has been much fancied in the domestic game for some time now, so we’re happy enough to follow the crowd. And others are doing it too anyway. (Best reason for doing anything.) The first team is properly tactical, the second is less so, if only because the only undefeated team at the tournament needs a representative.

Without further ado…


The Semifinals XI

Maarten Stekelenburg (Netherlands)
Sergio Ramos (Spain), Joris Mathijsen (Netherlands), Arne Friedrich (Germany), Jorge Fucile (Uruguay)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Diego Perez (Uruguay)
Thomas Mueller (Germany), Andres Iniesta (Spain), David Villa (Spain)
Diego Forlan (Uruguay)

Coach: Vicente Del Bosque

The Mr. 15%s of M. Sneijder and M. Ozil would like an explanation on M. Iniesta, and here it is: Andres took over the World Cup final for roughly 70 minutes and won the trophy for his amigos. Trophy > everything else.

Iker Casillas is in the mix with Stekelenburg, obviously, and Diego Lugano is telling us mean things in a really soft tone, but nevertheless, this is it. Argument One at the ready.

The Non-Semifinals XI

Diego Benaglio (Switzerland)
Ryan Nelsen (NZ), Tulio Tanaka (Japan), Paulo da Silva (Paraguay), Fabio Coentrao (Portugal)
Anthony Annan (Ghana), Keisuke Honda (Japan)
Alexis Sanchez (Chile), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa)
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)

Coach: Takeshi Okada

Much more difficult, obviously, and some players were thrust into unfamiliar positions – though Keisuke Honda is able to play anywhere on the pitch as well as stadium steward and Ryan Nelsen is being handed a single instruction: “get in the box, son”. (Or pops, since he’s an elder.)

There are many gripes here, with an honorable mention including Robert Vittek, Maicon, Andre Ayew, Gonzalo Higuain, Landon Donovan, etc. Surely it feels like Brazil deserve a better contribution than, err, goose eggs since they were fluffin’ excellent up until they weren’t, but central defense is stacked elsewhere and consistency was, to a point, lacking elsewhere.

But that’s us, and maybe not you. Clearly you can do better – so do it. What are your teams of the tournament?

See more here:
Soundoff: Teams of the Tournament