World Cup All-Star team: What's yours?

The end of the World Cup is approaching and now comes that time when everybody starts to elect the players who will be part of the FIFA’s All Star team. Normally a lot of good players are left behind, because only 11 are selected, but since the national teams are comprised of 23 players, I will give it a shot and list my 23 top players:

Formation: 4-3-3 - The World Cup new formation trend is the 4-2-3-1, but offensive football.

Goalkeepers

IKER CASILLAS (Spain) – the best goaltender of this World Cup (maybe top 3 in the World)

Backups: MAARTEN STEKELENBURG (the Netherlands); RICHARD KINGSON (Ghana) ; LUISITO SUAREZ (Uruguay) – just kidding

Defenders

PHILIPP LAHM (Germany) – Small man with a big role reputation. Very strong defensive skills. (The Argentinean Di Maria had to play in the other side of the field, because Lahm wasn't allowing him to do so).

JOHN HEITINGA (the Netherlands) – A multi-task player given his ability to play at centre-back, full-back or as a holding midfielder (Perfect in the second half against Brazil)

LUCIO (Brazil) - the sheriff. (Brazil's greatest ever defenders).

ARNE FRIEDRICH (Germany) – Very consistent and classic defender with the ability to play right back as well as in the centre.

CARLES PUYOL (Spain) – Ferocious work and talented player.

Defenders Backups: MAICON (Brazil); SERGIO RAMOS (Spain); MOREL RODRIGUEZ (Paraguay)

Midfielders

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER (Germany) – one of the best players of this World Cup. Classic, talented and elegant midfielder, very technical defensively and offensively.

WESLEY SNEIJDER (the Netherlands)* – the Netherlands' attacking keystone. (Main responsible to the historical victory over Brazil). Another good candidate for the World Cup best player prize.

MESUT ÖZIL (Germany) – a sprightly and technically gifted playmaker. The World Cup’s revelation player.

Midfielder Backups: THOMAS MÜLLER (Germany), DE JONG (the Netherlands) ; ANDRES INIESTA (Spain); LIONEL MESSI (Argentina)

Forwards

DAVID VILLA (Spain) – cold blood striker.(Running for the best player's prize as well).

MIROSLAV KLOSE (Germany) – A perfect pivot in the attack. Precise kicks.

ARJEN ROBBEN (the Netherlands) – Lethal left leg shot from the right corner of the box.

Attackers Backups: ROBINHO (Brazil) ; LANDON DONOVAN (USA)

Coach

JOACHIM LOEW (Germany) - his team didn't play well in the semi-final which was lethal for them, however Germany had a tremendous performance during this World Cup, tactically disciplined and perfectly executed.

Auxiliary Coach: BERT VAN MARWIJK (the Netherlands)

PS - I read the post and saw the pictures of my fellow bloggers at Real Sports Bar and it seems that they had a lot of fun. I wish I was there, but unfortunately I couldn't make it.

About Paulo Porto

Suarez: he cheated because he can

By now we've all heard about it and debated what happened:  in the final moments of the heated contest between Ghana and Uruguay last Friday, a shot that should have won Ghana the match was batted away from net by Luis Suarez with his hands (a play that would have made the Uruguayan national volleyball team proud).  Suarez's cheater move - because that is what he did; he cheated - started the chain of events that led to Ghana's missed penalty kick and Uruguay's eventual victory.

This will be my first post that has nothing to do with Portugal; until now I've been focusing my efforts on blogging about what I felt would be of interest to Portugal's fans.  However, it's been three days since that jaw-dropping moment and I am still hopping mad so, I figured I'd use my fairly unique position as a World Cup Voices blogger to vent a little frustration.  And besides, what happened in that match should be of interest to all fans of the game, not just of any particular country.

Look at the picture to the right:  BOTH players are doing their darnedest to get a hand on that ball.  That's not vindictive play, it's cheating disguised as strategy.  I wouldn't be surprised if teams run that scenario as a drill in practices.

What Suarez did is a strategy because it succeeded in denying Ghana a winning goal.  It is a strategy because there is nothing in FIFA's rules that says in a scenario where a defending player, who is not the goaltender, stops a shot from entering the net by using his hands the goal will be automatically counted. 

Seems simple doesn't it?  Why would anybody bother to take the risk of being red carded and ejected from the game if the goal is going to count anyway?  But if taking the chance means your team might be saved and advance, then it's worth doing.

Enough is enough.

This is the 21st century, folks, and our instant replay technology is pretty sweet.  All it would take is adding two rules to the game:  one about automatically counting/discounting (I'm looking at you, Diego Maradona) handball-related goals and another about using instant replay videos to confirm the refereeing decisions. 

Remove the incentive for cheating and the cheating stops, or at least offenders won't be treated as heroes for displaying unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Luis Suarez, I understand why you did it but make no mistake:  you are no hero; and when people make reference to a little something called "the hand of God" in reference to your dirty play, that's a little something called "sarcasm".

 About Tara Howe

Ghana: A rebuttal on behalf of Luis Suárez

We've all had a day or two to digest the ending of the Ghana v Uruguay quarter final match. In particular we've had time to digest Luis Suárez's "hand of god" part deux handball in the dying seconds of extra time. I have heard it said from countless people both online and in the Ghanaian bar I was watching the match at (The Point @ Jane and Wilson) that Suárez is a cheat, liar and in the most extreme case should be banned from football for life. Now on Friday I was viewing the game from the biased view of someone who was supporting Ghana. We were all heartbroken at the final result, in a game that lets face it Ghana should have won in extra time as they dominated play. However due to the disproportionate response in favour of making Luis Suárez the living model of everything that is wrong with football, I'm turning off my bias and defending him...a little bit.

First, Mr Suárez you are a great player and a cheat...in the same vain as Theirry Henry and Diego Maradona. You may get your big summer move to Manchester United, but you'll always have this hanging on you.

Second, although people want to ban him for life and take away his world cup goals (will never happen by the way) He was caught by the linesmen. He was punished appropriately by the rules that govern the game, he was red carded, sent off, the team was punished by having one less man and a penalty was awarded. Also lets not forget to mention that he will miss the semi final against Holland, which if they lose he won't be singing the happy tune as he is now.  

Third, It is up to the penalty taker to convert the penalty. Gyan did not do that. Now I know the argument will be that it should have never been a penalty situation as Suárez used his hands to clear the ball off the line. I disagree with this as Suárez could have gotten to it with his head had he now been so focused on using his hands.

Frankly for all those who are looking for 10 match bans for Suárez and a apology from FIFA to the Ghanaian Football Association; Stop it is not going to happen nor should it. He has been punished to the full extent of footballing law, plus the football gods always seem to put the wrongs right again....If you don't believe me ask the Irish FA.

About Mike Newell

Ghana: Suarez a disgrace to Beautiful Game

I never made a secret of my passion for the Beautiful Game and African Football.

Since this was the Hand that kept Ghana from Making History in Africa's first-ever World Cup. I could not just let this pass by without adding my two-cents.

For this - like Maradona's Hand of God and Thierry Henry's hand ball that saw the French through to the finals in South Africa, it will not soon be forgotten. Some say it was an instinctive reaction for Suarez to do what he did. However, this is the time for FIFA to act. This is not a Fair Play. 

Suarez has seen all the cheating going on game after game. So he decides to take it one step further. Players are exploiting FIFAs unwillingness to evolve with the times. And this is going to get worse.
I personally think that anyone who handballs in that manner, needs to be given a lengthy ban and a big fine. He certainly does not deserve to play in the final if Uruguay sneaks past Holland. 

Second, I want to say how disgusted and dismayed I was with some of the comments I heard after the Ghana game. Some of the so-called expert analysts who seem to have learned football by reading Football 101 for Dummies - they had the audacity to justified by saying: 

"Luis Suarez did the only thing he could possibly do"

Do you really know what football is? I am really surprised that why you did not call Suarez to be the man of the match after that comment!!. 

As a player of the beautiful game, Suarez should be ashamed of himself and those who justify his shameful act should find other sport to analyze not my Beautiful Game. That scene of Suarez over the line trying to desperately stop the ball going in to the net in 120th minute with his hands is not what the Beautiful Game is about. 

Unlike when England's goal against Germany was not allowed - when many experts were expressing their feelings to the point that bias was creeping into their voices - even saying outright how the game's momentum would have shifted to the England side if that goal would have stood, England would have come on top.

I have news for you - the play should have been judged as a goal, not just a penalty kick and the momentum would have really shifted to Ghana!!....

I never heard anyone call for video technology on Friday's game, when clearly the replay showed the ball had already crossed the line when Suarez committed his shameful act. Nor did I hear any expert question red-carded Suarez being on the pitch celebrating with his team mates. As I understand the rule is a red carded player is not allowed back to the pitch. No one picked that up either.

Furthermore, it is funny how the 'experts' curse Gyan for not converting the penalty and denying him his rightful place in these finals, when it's clear any player who is carrying on his shoulder not only his country's hope and dreams but the whole continent would have crumble under pressure. Gyan is a great striker and I'm sure he will recover from this, I have a lot of respect for the courage he's shown for taking the first spotkick in the shootout after missing in extra time.

As for the actual game, it was one of the most spectacular games of this World Cup and the tears of Black Star will dry, for they have done their continent proud.

It can be summed up by taking the page from one fan outside Soccer City:

"They (Ghana) made the world see that we Africans can play football. We'll have our day."

 I know we will.

About Khalid Magram

"Having a Hoot in Little America" or "Ghana-na-na-na! Hey Hey Hey! Goodbye!"

Down to the final 16 in the World Cup, and my attempts to find out more about Algeria ended with their failure to advance.  So, I took it upon myself to find out more about the smaller countries not expected to advance this far in the competition.  I focused my attention on a little-known country that surprises everyone by their presence in the final 16, the United States of America.  Had it not been for American internationals Maurice Edu and DaMarcus Beasley who play for Rangers, I'd never have known the USA existed.  Armed with my Rangers 'Edu' top, I ventured into the city trying to find an American bar and hopefully have better success meeting Americans than I did Algerians.

Doing a quick bit of research to find an American-centric bar, I found a pub, common in most American urban centres, called "Hooters".  Upon entering, I noted that there was no sign of any estuary.  Nor owls, as the name might suggest.  But the staff is not only friendly, but attractive, and I'll also assume, American.  Paydirt!

Hooters: A Slice of Americana in Toronto's Back Yard!

Some background on the United States:  You may be surprised to know that this country actually shares a border with Canada to the south.  Not as commonly known, Canada briefly occupied them circa 1812.  They also possess the largest population of all the competing countries, and thus surprising that it's a shock that they're doing this well.  One would think that such a large population would allow them to have a much larger pool of players to choose from for this competition.  It seems in talking to the Americans I find, the country tends to prefer supporting other competitive sports, such as "Basketball", "Baseball" and "Competitive Eating."  I am also informed that in the USA, they watch another game, also called "Football".  However, in their version of the beautiful game, it is played at a much slower pace on a much smaller field, and the players are able to use their hands to pick up the ball.  This is not only alien to me, but unheard of in proper football, but Toronto being the multi-cultural centre that it is, I remind myself not to make fun of other country's customs.

I order what I'm told is a common American beer, a "Budweiser".  I quickly note that this microbrew has, through sheer determination and American pluck, found its way into a sponsorship of the World Cup.  Hooray for the successes of small business!  American Dream indeed!  It is Ashley that brings me my pint, with a side of true American hospitality.

 
Ashley with a Budweiser. Sepp Blatter Would Be Proud.

I find myself sitting beside two Americans named Peter and Ted, from Colorado and Chicago respectively.  Both cities have MLS teams, and knowing of the Chicago Fire and their away support at TFC matches, they are well aware of the importance of this match.  They are cheering like they're at a Lakers game.  Five minutes in Boateng scores for Ghana, commencing the burrowing of the hole the USS have to climb out of.  There's a lot of fight in the US team yet, and they wisely bring on Rangers Edu to bring some more punch into the midfield, towing with him his Scottish Premier League experience.

 
Two Americans Knowing Why the Ball Isn't Being Picked Up

The US begin the second half, still a man down, but are pushing forward, forcing Ghana to defend and rely solely on the counter attack in the opening minutes.  Balls are being threaded into the box.  There are no Ghana fans here it seems, and it's all-American.  Finally, a fruitful search.

USA Away

Suddenly, the US gets the play that they want, Dempsey gets brought down in the Ghana box, and a penalty is awarded.  Landon Donovan, no stranger to being part of US success, slots home the penalty to equalize.  A more open match is now expected and delivered.  Both teams now seem to be trading equivalent blows, this game now mirroring the South Korea-Uruguay match earlier in the day in that this may be the first game that goes to extra-time if not penalty kicks.

 
Plucky Little USA Still Fights On

At the 81st minute mark, the US are awarded a free kick that hope to put them forward.  No such luck.  The Americans in attendance are willing their side forward, hoping to advance to the quarters.  If they do, I wonder what the streets of Little America in Toronto will look like.  I'm sure we'll be able to find them with their chants of "USA! USA! USA!"  It is mentioned that the US is the largest purchaser of World Cup final tickets, second only to Africans.  As it goes to extra time, it may turn out that their purchases are warranted.  Or not.

In the opening moments of extra time, a goal by Gyan puts Ghana up after 93 minutes.  It appears that for the US, this plucky little nation's tournament may be over.  Africa, meanwhile, hang their hopes on the Ghana result staying.  The US seems to be fumbling, frantic to notch the equalizer.  Each free kick awarded is lobbed forward on net, the Ghana defence still holding on.  Consistently.  The US continues to press up to the dying moments, culminating in a corner in the 120th minute of added/injury time.  The punched shot is collected and returned to net with a volley, Howard the US keeper up to add strength up front.  No avail.  The Hooters crowd groans at the miss.

Ghana comes forward again, hoping to kill off the tie.  The US meanwhile keeps missing with every attempt.  The whistle blows.  The US is out and Ghana goes through.  Their hopes, including those of my fellow Rangers kin, are dashed.  I look up and Peter and Ted are nowhere to be found.

Sadly, it appears that I'm the Death Knell for teams that I cover.  First Algeria.  Now the USA.  Let's see what Germany does.  I hope their Hooters is as nice as this one.

The emotion of a 'last-minute' goal

I represent Brazil in this blog, but I am going to comment about US Team briefly.

Today US play against Ghana. One of the most emotional moments in this World Cup so far was the "last-minute" goal scored by Donovan against Algeria.

Up to the 90th minute, US team was packing their stuff and preparing themselves to head back home. One minute later, the Americans were cheering and hugging one to each other, celebrating the qualification.

The TV audience for US games in this World Cup is reaching 14 million people, which is better than NBA and NHL finals. This demonstrates that soccer is gaining more popularity among our southern neighbours.

The video below shows how Americans from all around USA reacted to that goal:

 

Australia: Ghana draw may not be enough

Australia seems determined to play the whole tournament a man short. Reduced to 10 men after Harry Kewell was sent off for handling the ball, the Aussies restored our faith in their spirit with a hard-earned draw.

But I get ahead of myself.  The Sports Centre Cafe was again filled with Aussies in a cautiously optimistic mood - or maybe they were simply hung over from a big Friday night.  Most of us had finished our Frisbee-like omelets just in time for kick-off, and were ready to feast on a match, which Aussie captain Lucas Neill termed "The most important in Australia's soccer history".

Sure enough, the Socceroos started with a bang. A free-kick cross from Marco Bresciano was met by Brett Holman for a headed goal. 

The place went wild.  You'd have thought Barry Manilow had shown up to Brampton Bingo night. There was hugging, kissing, high fives and spontaneous singing...and that was just me.

In an earlier entry, I likened Australia to a boomerang, waiting to come back.  For a few delicious moments, it looked like I was right.  Then, the boomerang turned out to be a stick. With efficiency that would appeal to conspiracy theorists everywhere, the referee dismissed Harry Kewell with a straight red card for handling the ball on his goal line.  Never mind that Mister Kewell has unnaturally large arms. Never mind that there was no time for him to move out of the way of the Ghanaian shot on goal. Never mind, Harry - you're back to the dressing room, young man. 

The equalizing penalty was one thing - possibly a goal was inevitable had Harry not handled - but the complexion of the game was forever changed by the sending off. Australia's remaining bodies acquitted themselves finely for over an hour. Lucas Neill and Mark Schwartzer showed the mettle that has seen them endure multiple English premiership seasons: Neil with last-ditch tackles in defence and Schwartzer with last-gasp save after save.

If the Gallipoli Campaign showed us anything, it's that Aussies don't mind getting thumped in a contest, so long as we give it a red hot go. In contrast to the effort against Germany, the game with Ghana was a contest to be proud of, even if our odds of moving into the next round are now slightly lower than the chances of Russell Crowe winning a congeniality award.

On the plus side, the Aussies can probably save a little money in future campaigns by simply fielding 10 men from the start.

Ahhh...silver linings.

Bring on Serbia!

About Tom Vandepeer

Australia: heartened or horrified?

Well, a few days almost made the difference.  Last Saturday’s quiet devastation at the Socceroos’ 0-4 loss to Germany gave way to a glimmer of hope as teams with much better records than Australia proved that, regardless of skill, anyone with two legs and a jersey could lose a football match.

First, in what is probably the biggest Spanish travesty since Antonio Banderas met Melanie Griffith, tournament co-favourites and European champions Spain capitulated to lowly Switzerland. Then, 1998 winners and 2006 finalists, France got back in touch with their inner-suck against Mexico. Finally, Slovenia, with a national population slightly smaller than Dubbo, held the United States with a draw.

Suddenly, Australia’s loss to Germany wasn’t the end of the world. Maybe we were the top team and Germany were the overachieving minnows. Maybe it was a case of a slow start. After all, steam rollers are big heavy things that take a while to get moving, but once they’re rolling, you don’t want to stall your street-cred Honda Civic in front of one.  

Then came the Serbs. Having lost to Ghana, Serbia, picked themselves up, brushed themselves off, got a band-aid from their mum and went back out and beat Germany. Devastating news for Australians everywhere. Now, not only do the Socceroos most likely have to win their next two games, but they will most probably also have to rely on other teams to concede masses of goals, if they are to make it through the pool.

Ghana's team, the so-called Black Stars, are a team ranked 8 places below Australia. Looking at recent history, maybe that is cause for concern. On the other hand, rankings have to mean something, don't they? Getting the Socceroos over the line is going to require something special. With due respect to my wife’s suggestion, that does not include Harry Kewell in his jocks.

Fortunately for Toronto Aussies, there is comfort food. The Australian Canadian Association is back at Socceroo Central (aka The Sports Cafe, 49 St Clair W Toronto,) for the Ghana game (10am Saturday). Breakfast will be available to line the stomach and brace our souls for the fight of our World Cup lives.

Come one. Come all. Come on Aussie!!!

About Tom Vandepeer

Embrace the Vuvuzela

"buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" 

Get used to the sound...Vuvuzela is here to stay.

Vuvuzela  has become a favourite topic of conversation at the FIFA World Cup and on the streets of Toronto.

As a fan of beautiful game and of African football I must come to Vuvuzelas' defense.

Critics say the Vuvuzela is too noisy and it should be banned from the World Cup. Their complaints have ranged from outright alarming — Vuvuzela spread viruses faster than coughing, to the absolute laughable players will not hear referees’ whistle!. And oh, TV viewers can't hear the commentator.

C'mon.

Vuvuzelas, drums and singing are part of African football culture. It is part of African celebration, it is part of African traditions and history. Accept it.

Blowing the Vuvuzela was also meant to blow away the injustice of apartheid.

For me taking away or hating the Vuvuzelas - that even the apartheid regime in South Africa did not seem to mind, is really being narrow minded, it will symbolize to South Africans intimidation, and restriction on their hard-fought freedoms after decades of racism, prejudices and abuse by the brutal apartheid regime.

Vuvuzela also symbolized and enabled Black South Africans to Dream about 'Freedom One Day.' It was the blowing of Vuvuzelas freely in football stadiums during the apartheid that gave Blacks in South Africa a minute taste of freedom.

There is an old African saying that goes like this: 'The baboon is killed by a lot of noise'.

South African football fans make as much noise as they can to confuse the opposing team on the field. Its gradual increase in loudness capable of striking fear into the hearts of the opposing team or maybe just to give their own team a wake up call.

Football is not like golf or tennis, where you are actively encouraged to keep quiet. This is a loud game Guys!. And I bet most of the Vuvuzela critics and haters have never ever before been to the football stadium or watch Liverpool play at Anfield, that is why they yawp.

I am not advocating that it makes a lovely sound, but you cannot deny the atmosphere it creates within the stadium. It can be incredibly intimidating for opposing teams at a packed Soccer City with 94,000 people blowing their lungs out in support of their boys. It gets the crowd going, and gives them an identity.

I am glad the Vuvuzela is out there, loud and proud - regardless of how it sounds. It stands for a bit more than that. Do I expect the critics to understand it? may be!

This may be the World Cup, but it is Africa's World Cup just like previous 18 were Europe's, Asian and South and North American. Taking away the Vuvuzela would be nothing short of another page of cultural imperialism exercised by Europe on Africa.

There are many who are struggling to find anything African in the stadiums except the infamous Vuvuzela.

So lets enjoy the African culture and beautiful game and Let the fans blow their Vuvuzelas during the World Cup.

About Khalid Magram

Nigeria: Super Eagles, down but not out

 It was surely a disappointing first outing for Nigeria's bird of prey, the Super Eagles, as they lost their opener against Argentina at FIFA 2010 World Cup. Once again Le Selection, and Maradona got away unscratched.

One positive thing the Super Eagle's fans can take from the Saturday's game is the fact that the Talk Of the Town in South Africa, Nigeria and even here in Toronto was not Messi, not Maradona's salt and pepper beard or the suit but Super Eagle's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who was also named FIFA's Man of the Match. He was Nigeria's main man in goal making six fantastic saves in the match.

“The goalkeeper was phenomenal,” Messi said after Argentina were limited to a 1-0 win at Ellis Park with Enyeama producing a series of tremendous saves to thwart the world player of the year.

“He takes all the credit. We played a great game today and created a lot of chances. We just couldn’t get the second goal.”

The Super Eagles fans are now hoping Super Eagles follow the Black Star of Ghana in the winners column by winning their upcoming encounter with The Greeks/Galanolefki.

The Black Star became the first African team to win after beating Serbia 1-0 in South African capital Tshwane/Pretoria on Sunday.

About Khalid Magram