Vuvuzela South Africa

It is a beautiful sunny day in Durban. At 4pm, this afternoon Netherlands will take on Slovakia for a place in the quarterfinals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Holland’s best performance in the World Cup have been two trips to the final in 1974 and 1978, led by the Dutch legend Johan Cryuff. They have always been perpetual favourites due to the exciting brand of total football that is the hallmark of Team Orange.

Netherlands – Plenty of Quality Players

After winning all of their matches in Group E, the Netherlands aim to stay on the winning track against Slovakia in the round of sixteen. Bert van Marwijk’s 2010 World Cup side boasts plenty of quality and match winners with Champions League winning playmaker Wesley Sneijder, Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben, Arsenal’s Robin van Persie and Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. It is time for Hop Hop Holland to put foot to the metal and shift into top gear.

The Dutch have typically been known as underachievers at the World Cup and cannot afford any mistakes now. If they can play to their potential, Slovakia will fall by the wayside and the Oranje camp will be in excellent shape ahead of a potential quarterfinal clash with Brazil or Chile.

If they do not, the Slovakians, will exploit their weaknesses and run right through them like they did with Italy.
These teams have never met at the World Cup, but the Dutch did lose 3-0 to Czechoslovakia in the first round of the 1938 World Cup in France. This might not be very relevant to today’s Slovakia vs Netherlands match.

Van Persie Believes Holland will Win the Title

According to breakingfootballnews Robin Van Persie Believes Holland Will Win Title.

Netherlands can beat Slovakia and go all the way to the final of the 2010 World Cup and even lift the trophy, claims Robin Van Persie. The Holland striker believes that the Dutch have the perfect balanced squad of anytime in Dutch football’s recent memory, and should take advantage of their strengths to become champions of the world for the first time.

Arjen Robben – Will he Start?

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk will surely again plan to play it safe with regards the fitness of star man Arjen Robben, despite the Bayern Munich ace making his first appearance of the World Cup last Thursday evening

The Dutch winger made a successful comeback from a hamstring injury the last time out, playing 20 effective minutes as a second-half substitute in a 2-1 win over Cameroon. It will be interesting to see what kind of influence he can exert as a starter, provided he gets the nod from Coach Bert van Marwijk, who is keeping an eye on his star.

Rafael van der Vaart appears to have pulled a muscle in training on Sunday and is unlikely to feature against Slovakia, according to the team’s medical staff.

Netherlands On Yellow Cards

Nigel de Jong, Robin van Persie, Gregory van der Wiel, Giovanni van Brockhorst, Van der Vaart and Dirk Kuyt were all booked in the group phase and are on yellow cards. They would miss a potential quarterfinal if they concede another card in the round of sixteen.

Slovakia at 2010 World Cup

Slovakia have has an almost Jekyll and Hyde campaign at the 2010 World Cup. After their opening two matches, in which they were extremely disappointing against New Zealand and Paraguay in Group F, no one gave Slovakia a chance against the world champions, even if Italy had not been up to scratch themselves. Nonetheless, the players finally clicked in unison and engineered one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history as they advanced to the second round and eliminated the 2006 winners in the process.

Robert Vittek had a breakout game against Italy, scoring two goals to send the Azzurri crashing out of the tournament in the first round. He has stepped up in a big way for his country, while headline midfielder Marek Hamsik has toiled in virtual anonymity.

If coach Vladimir Weiss and his team can repeat the intensity and focus of the team that took down the Azzurris, Slovakia may pull off a win over the Netherlands, but it does not really seem that likely.

Slovakia – on Yellow Cards

Jan Durica, Vladimir Weiss, Stanislav Sestak, Jan Mucha, Peter Pekarik and Robert Vittek are all at risk of missing the quarterfinals and will need to avoid cards in this game. Zdeno Strba was already booked twice which means he is suspended for the match against the Netherlands.

Both sides have scored four goals at this tournament, and both left three of them for the second half of their games. As such, it may be expected that most of the goal action in this match is to take place in the second half as well.
Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban

Netherlands vs Slovakia will take place at the  Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, which is to see its sixth match at this World Cup. The game is scheduled to start at 16:00 (4pm) local time and the referee appointed is Spaniard Alberto Undiano.

Image: Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie of Netherlands by

Popularity: 2% [?]

It is day three of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the opening two matches each feature Slavic countries taking on African teams and the third is the Germany vs Australia encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Group C: Algeria v. Slovenia  -Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane – 13.30 (local time)

The contrasting styles of these contenders will be on display at Peter Mokaba Stadium, in Polokwane just after mid day.

With games against England and USA to come for these two teams, Algeria and Slovenia will be desperate to take three points from their Group C match-up.

Slovenia is a solid, defense-oriented squad that looks for counterattacking opportunities. Algeria, on the other hand, loves to play in high gear and get the ball up front.

Slovenia looks like they are the better-prepared team. The Algeria team appears unsettled in term of chemistry. Yazid Mansouri has been questioned about his fitness, which has created a negative reaction amongst the players.  But we will see later today.

Group D: Serbia v Ghana – Loftus Versveld, Tshwane Pretoria Sunday 13 June, 16.00 (local time)

Group D rivals Serbia and Ghana will take to the pitch at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane/Pretoria knowing their qualification hopes for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™’s Round of 16 could well hinge on this encounter. The venue will be filled to the rafters and there is likely to be heavy support for Ghana in the African side’s second consecutive appearance at the global showcase. As for Serbia, they will look to replicate the performances of their venerated predecessors who lit up the world stage under the flag of the former Yugoslavia, says fifa.com.

Four years ago, Ghana became one of the very few teams to lose their opening World Cup match and still go on to advance beyond the group stage. This year, however, the Black Stars are without captain Michael Essien, the talented Chelsea defensive midfielder, due to a knee injury.

Ghana – Strong Former Youth Players

Ghana will feel confident because of their core of up and coming group of youth players who were a part of the FIFA U20 World Youth Championship success in 2009.

Serbia, making their first Cup appearance as an independent nation, is big and tough, and they look to impose their will on defense while snagging goals off set pieces: they scored seven times off corners during qualifying, two more than any other team in the UEFA.

Serbia – Well Balanced Team

Serbia have developed into a very good, well balanced team with many of their top players (like Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic) scattered around big European clubs.

Ghana hopes to combat the opposition with the help of Milovan Rajevac, their outspoken, (and strangely in this case) Serbian-born manager.

Group D: Germany v. Australia Sunday 13 June, 20.30 (local time)

The Germans didn’t lose a game in qualifying and the Socceroos lost 3 – 1 to the USA in last week’s friendly. This is what we can keep in mind in this evening’s match at Durban’s magnificent Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Moses Mabhida Stadium

It is a pity that Durban got so few matches, because the Moses Mabhida Stadium, of MMS as it is known to the locals, is surely one of the most spectacular in South Africa – and Durban has the best weather. (Transport arrangements for Moses Mabhida Stadium)

Australia has only previously contested FIFA World Cups™ on German soil so it is perhaps no surprise they should open their third finals campaign against Germany.

Germany – Attacking Style

Germany’s attacking style clashes with Australia’s staunch defense, but the biggest contrast may be at goalkeeper. Aussie Mark Schwarzer has played nearly 700 professional games and 75 international caps, and holds the English Premier League record for most appearances by a foreign player.

On the opposite end of the pitch, 24-year-old Manuel Neuer is making his  World Cup debut, landed in the starting spot in place of an injured Rene Adler.  This came about because of the tragic death of their number one goalkeeper Robert Enke.

Australia vs Germany Goalkeepers will Feature

Both goalkeepers  in the Australia vs Germany match will be called upon to beat back some talented scorers: Tim Cahill and Josh Kennedy for the Socceroos, and Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, and the newly naturalized Cacau for Die Nationalelf.

Coach Joachim Low has done a good job, keeping the organization and discipline associated with all German teams, and added more attacking flair.

However, Germany is without former captain Michael Ballack, who suffered an ankle injury in the FA Cup Final. With an average age of less than 26, this is the youngest German World Cup squad in 76 years.

You can watch live streaming sports on ESPN3

World Cup Stadium behaviour - Make sure you know what to do

Popularity: 5% [?]

Durban fans have their vuvuzelas ready to cheer Bafana Bafana tonight in the friendly against Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

And I will be there – my first night match at Moses Mabhida and my fist look at the local Bafana Bafana squad in the steaming Durban summer heat.

Bafana 6 – Swaziland 2

During the friendly when South Africa eased past Swaziland 6-2 in a practice match against Swaziland on the weekend at the Chatsworth Stadium, one could already see some kind of shape, especially in the midfield where the South African team has just come to pieces in the past.

Parreira Expected to Field the Same Side

Parreira is expected to field the same side that started against Swaziland, with Katlego Mphela once again leading the line. The striker will be the focus of Zimbabwe’s defence according to Thomas Sweswe.

“Mphela has proven to be a quality striker and his scoring record bears testimony to that. If left unattended he can be a pain in the neck but we want to mark him out of the game,” the Kaizer Chiefs defender told Football365.co.za.

Bafana have been in Durban since two Fridays ago with Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira (CAP) focusing heavily on trying to get the players to play a possession game. This camp ends after tonight’s game and then there is another, heavy-duty one in Brazil in March.

Zimbabwe Squad no Pushover

The Zimbabwean Squad is not going to be a pushover. They are lead by Mamelodi Sundowns midfield general Esrom Nyandoro and contains plenty of other players based in South Africa playing for the top PSL teams.

Tickets available at Computicket – Via Checkers.

Kickoff: 8.30 pm.

Picture: Bafana Bafana Training in Durban football 365

Popularity: 6% [?]

Well we know how the Final Draw turned out – terrible for South Africa but here are the groups for the 2010 World Cup, in case anyone doesn’t know yet. And the Official Match Schedule.

France and Uruguay are two former World Cup winners and Mexico is known as a very strong team, but South Africa will have to rely on the wide experience of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and the passion and skill of Bafana Bafana if we want to avoid the humiliation of becoming the first host team in World Cup history to get knocked out in the first round.

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana,
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

South Africa’s Matches

11 June 2010 4.00 pm South Africa v Mexico at Soccer City, Johannesburg
16 June 2010 8.30 pm South Africa v Uruguay at Loftus Versveld, Pretoria
26 June 2010 4.00 pm South Africa v France at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
26 June 2010 4.00 pm Winner Group A v Runner Up Group B at Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth
27 June 2010 8.30 pm Runner up Group A v Winner Group B at Soccer City, Johannesburg

Matches at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban

Sunday  13 June Group D Germany v Australia
Wednesday 16 June Group H Spain v Switzerland
Saturday 19 June Group E Netherlands v Japan
Tuesday 22 June Group B Nigeria v South Korea
Friday 25 June Group G Portugal v Brazil
Monday 28 June Round of 16 Winner Group E v Runner Up Group F
Wednesday 7 July Semi Final Winner Quarter Final B v Quarter Final D

Official Match Schedule of the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Popularity: 10% [?]

Well it looked like AmaZulu has it all in hand, two wins on the run and a KZN Derby as the opening match of the Moses Mabhida Stadium, but then the Maritzburg defender Byrone Hendricks  wrote his name into the history books by becoming the first player to score a goal at Durban’s new 2010 Stadium..

The Team of Choice became the Team of the Day when the closely matched teams struggled for the full ninety minutes to find space, and produced an interesting, if not thrilling game as the opening match for a crowd of 22 000 excited, vuvuzela-blowing spectators. The Score Martizburg United 1 – Amazulu 0.

Red Card – First Player to Be Sent Off

And talking about firsts, in the 28 minute AmaZulu’s Sibusiso Hadebe pulled clear of Maritzburg’s defence and was darting towards goal when some overzealous jersey tugging from Peter Petersen brought Hadebe’s run to a grinding halt a few metres away from the danger area. For his bad discipline, Petersen became the first player to be sent off at this venue.

The win takes The Team of Choice up to 12th on the Absa Premiership table as Usuthu drop down to 13th place.

The hands- down winner of the day was the Moses Mabhida Stadium, which delivered and delivered again. From the well-organised parking; the very visible security presence; the ample restrooms and the wonderful seats with truly great views of the pitch from all over – this stadium is going to be a hit with the World Cup Crowds.

South African Soccer Crowds

I’m a bit sad that the real South African Soccer Fans, like the ones who shared the Stadium with me yesterday will probably not be filling up the stadiums for the world cup games because the tickets are too expensive. Because the vibe in a real soccer crowd is electric. If anyone wants to experience unity and African warmth, they just need to get a vuvuzela and become one with the crowd at a South African soccer match.

Laduma!

Also read my friend and Comrade in Vuvuzela’s, Fred Hatman’s account of the day and check out his great pics.

The Teams

AMAZULU: Mzimela, Van Heerden, Mkhona, Bishop, Bukasa, Biyela, Ngxabi,
Hadebe, Zwane, Ngwenya, Ritson. Subs: Gindre, SDlamini, A Dlamini,
Sangweni, Ariweriyai, Gumede, Mokoro.

MARITZBURG UTD: Goldman, Hendricks, Ngwepe, Petersen, Dikulu,Thakathi,
Chivuta, Madondo, Obada, Davids, Aka. Subs: Wardle, Diouf, Nyatama,
Ncubeni, Zimba, Madidilani, Bester

Popularity: 3% [?]