Three Lions ready to roar!!

Will 2010 be England’s year?

The Three Lions are genuine contenders for the 2010 World Cup. After some impressive recent performances and a much more solid look under Fabio Capello, excitement is inevitably starting to grow that 2010 South Africa could be England’s year.

However, I don’t think anyone should be getting carried away with England’s chances in the 2010 World Cup just yet. Although, Capello is unquestionably a great tactician but this is a team who consistently fail to reach their potential and do the business in the tournaments. In qualifying round, England have been really impressive and have comfortably dealt with whatever has been thrown at them but to be fair this team still possess some obvious flaws that couldn’t be denied.

In goal England still hugely relies on the experience of 39-year-old, David James who always finds himself at the center of stage for vulnerability and silly mistakes. Next, England are still yet to find a right-back to replace Gary Neville, though Glen Johnson is a potential candidate who looks lively going forward but awful covering at the back. In John Terry and Rio Ferdinand England have, perhaps, the best central defensive partnership in the world. However, both are prone to injury and England will need both these players fit to win the tournament.

The midfield is pretty decent, but the main question is can Lampard and Gerrard play together? I am yet to see a truly inspiring performance from both although Capello looks likely to stick with this partnership. While, the likes of Joe Cole, Aaron Lennon and Wright Philips offer some tricks and speed, but always disappear during the big games.

Despite all of these weaknesses, the nation's dream is on the shoulder of their Golden Boy (lol not me), Wayne Rooney who is currently enjoying his best international form since Euro 2004. This season Rooney has blossomed into one of the most deadly and effective forward after scoring 34 goals for his club side, Manchester United. He is very important because when the team is falling asleep, he is the one who can give them a boost. Thus, England’s hope of landing the world cup solely depends on Wayne Rooney.

This summer U belong to me

As I said in the beginning, I hate to say it but I’ve had my heart broken by England so many times. So, I’m probably a bit jaded now! I’m going to stay realistic, pray England win and just try and enjoy the football. After missing out on Euro 2008, I just hope there won’t be element of regret anymore.

I loveeeee........ENGLAND

Group A France

Team: France

Nickname: Les Bleus

Best Performance: Winners in 1998

Road to World Cup: Won play-off against Ireland after they had finished second in qualifying Group 7 of the European Zone.

Star Player:

The sole France 1998 survivor and the current captain, Thierry Henry is the Les Blues most crucial player since the retirement of the nation’s one of all time greats, Zinedine Zidane. Henry has vast experience and knowledge as he has been part of the national team since 1998. However, this year he yet to recapture his form with his club side Barcelona and largely has been on the bench. But, his ability and motivation to play for Les Bleus shouldn’t be questioned since he definitely will give his best, given this could be his last major tournament representing the national side, considering his age is 32 as for now.

King Henry

Story & Prediction

After the ample disappointments at EURO 2008 and during qualifying round for the current world cup, France certainly will be looking to avoid such circumstance to repeat again as the nation tabloids already eager to condemn the team, should they fail to reach the semis. Their own supporters often criticize the tactics and management of current coach Raymond Domenech, who reportedly might be sacked after the tournament. Many football supporters especially the Ireland fans still feel that France shouldn’t be at the world cup after the Henry’s “Hand of God” goal which eventually knocked the Ireland team out of the world cup.

Domenech...”Stop accusing and start supporting”

The current Les Bleus has some of the biggest names in world football that might create fear among the opposition, earning them a reputation as one of world football’s leading teams. Thierry Henry has taken the captain’s armband, with William Gallas the leader at the back and both Jeremy Toulalan and Lassana Diarra indispensable in midfield. Meanwhile, the emergence of Yoann Gourcuff, the talent of Franck Ribery and the rejuvenation of Nicolas Anelka have given the coach a variety of options in attack, where Karim Benzema, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Florent Malouda and Loic Remy will also be hoping to feature.

Well this time as for the group stage, they should easily come out top as South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay trailing far behind in Fifa’s Coca-Cola world ranking. However, the real acid test waiting them in next round. Will the current squad repeat the success of the 1998 team? To be honest, I can’t see the team going far as they can’t produce good performance collectively on many occasions. They should stop wondering and must start to sort out problems quickly as the world cup is fast approaching. So, let’s hope the Les Blues can silence the critics and reach another new height.

Don’t fancy the Les Bleus to turn over a new leaf…

Group A South Africa

Team: South Africa

Nickname: Bafana Bafana

Road to World Cup: South Africa, by virtue of their role as hosts, gained automatic qualification

Star Player:

Midfield maestro Steven Pienaar is South Africa's most gifted player who brings much-needed innovation and imagination to the side. This season he has been a top drawer for his club side Everton and the home fans will hope him to shoulder the main responsibility and shine at the tournament. So, he will certainly be the key to any South African success and undoubtedly be one of the men to watch at South Africa 2010.

The giant 1.99m centre back, Matthew Booth

Story & Prediction

Play the world cup on home soil is undoubtedly the most significant chapter of South African’s football history. It’s a mammoth task for the team since the country is aiming to write a new script in football history by being the first African country to win the world cup. And there can be no greater motivation than this.

South African football team has been highly regarded as a team of fighters with a never say die attitude. They often come from behind to secure draws like they did in the 2009 Confederations Cup. The gallant performances they showed against both Brazil and Spain will certainly be a reminder for us to not underestimate them.

A die-hard fan

This time they are drawn in the same group as Mexico, Uruguay and France. It seems to be a really difficult road for them to make it beyond the group stage as France is the ultimate favorite for the top spot of the group. So they have to fight with the remaining two teams, Mexico and Uruguay. But I strongly believe the Bafana Bafana players will hold their heads high by narrowly making to the next round. They should learn it from the 2002 South Korea team and could even do better than them. All they need is a tremendous home grown support which will lift the entire Bafana Bafana team's spirit.

So, don’t write them off yet….

FIFA World Cup 2010

With the FIFA World Cup 2010 fast approaching, I would like to personally wrap all the teams and news. Here is some background news about this event…. It’s really a huge privilege for South Africa as they are staging the most anticipated tournament of the year which is the FIFA World Cup 2010. As all of us know, this will be the first time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation, drawing plenty of expectations. It’s definitely going to generate electrifying atmosphere and experience for all football fans including myself. The official mascot for this world cup edition is Zakumi , an anthropomorphised leopard with green hair. The Zakumi's official motto is: "Zakumi's game is Fair Play". While, the match ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been named the "Jabulani", made by Adidas, which means "bringing joy to everyone".

Zakumi

Jabulani

While the draw for the 2010 World Cup was held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 4 December 2009 and …

Group G is widely regarded as “Group of Death”.

The total prize money for the tournament was confirmed by FIFA as $420 million, a 60 percent increase on the 2006 tournament. Thereafter, the prize money would be distributed as follows:

• $9 million - Round of 16
• $18 million - Quarter-finals
• $20 million - Semi-finals
• $24 million - Runners up
• $30 million - Winners

So which nation is going home with huge sum of money and more importantly the trophy? Let’s wait and see. The answer will be known on 11 July 2010 where the final will be held at the Soccer City, Johannesburg. It is currently the largest stadium in Africa with a capacity of 94,700.Wow..that’s really cool.

Soccer City, the site of Nelson Mandela's first speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison.

In a nutshell, that’s all from me for this time. I will cover all the team news starting from this week. Bye!

My First Post..

From today onwards I will share all my football knowledge, thoughts and prediction with you all through this blog. I am still new to blogging field that might need some time to be really considered as a good blogger. In order to achieve that level, I really need some encouragement and support from all of you out there especially my friends. Everybody can leave your comments since I don’t have any restriction or subscription. So, please feel free to drop by and leave your comments. Every single comment from you guys will definitely help me to further improve this site. Finally, I would like to dedicate this site for all football freaks out there…Long live football!!
Note: I support both Manchester United and England, but always welcome supporters of other team to this site since I believe that football has no boundaries.