SOUTH AFRICA

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United), Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Moeneeb Joseph (Orlando Pirates).

Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Innocent Mdledle (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (Supersport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Bryce Moon (PAOK, Greece), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Bevan Fransman (Maccabi Netanya, Israel).

Midfielders: Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Franklin Cale (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia).

Strikers: Benni McCarthy (West Ham United, England), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Holland)

Comment: South Africa will have two main advantages in this group – the fans and the judges. The team is not world class, and despite their famous coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, it is their defense that will give them most headaches. The midfield and attack look OK, and if the judges are on their side, the host have the prerequisites to pass the group. But even if they are through, they will easily lose to any of the stronger teamsin the 1/8 finals.

MEXICO

Goalkeepers: Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara)

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Adrian Aldrete (Morelia)

Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Jonathan dos Santos (Barcelona), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray, on loan from Tottenham)

Forwards: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista, Alberto Medina (both Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Guillermo Franco (West Ham)

Comment: Always underdogs, Mexico is one of the most experienced squads in the World Cups. The team does not posses fancy names such as Argentina and Brazil, but could be a match for them because of the team spirit. The defense line is more than solid with all the regulars playing in major European leagues. The midfield and attack are also pretty solid, so the team is the favourite to make it through here.

URUGUAY

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio/Italy), Juan-Guillermo Castillo (Deportivo Cali/Colombia), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)

Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce/Turkey), Diego Godin (Villarreal/Spain), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo/Chile), Jorge Fucile (Porto/Portugal), Martin Caceres (Juventus/Italy), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile/Chile), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica/Portugal)

Midfielders: Walter Gargano (Napoli/Italy), Egidio Arevalo-Rios (Penarol), Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm/Sweden), Diego Perez (Monaco/France), Alvaro Pereira (Porto/Portugal), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile/Chile), Jorge Rodriguez (River Plate/Argentina), Alvaro Gonzalez (Nacional), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia/Spain), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax/Netherlands)

Forwards: Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield/Argentina), Luis Suarez (Ajax/Netherlands), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo/Brazil), Edinson Cavani (Palermo/Italy), Jorge Martinez (Catania/Italy)

Comment: Uruguay is also one of the teams that should not be underestimated in this world cup. The team posses quality in all lines. Lazio keeper Muslera is one of the most gifted players in his position. The defense is full of experienced in Europe players. The midfield is not as fancy and complete, but with Forlan and Suarez in attack this could be easily compensated. Under normal conditions, it should be Uruguay and Mexico to pass this group. The only setback is the team is too inexperienced in World Cup battles – it is full of youngsters.

FRANCE

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda(Olympique Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux)

Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla), Marc Planus (Girondins Bordeaux), Gael Clichy(Arsenal), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon)

Midfielders: Alou Diarra(Girondins Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal)

Forwards: Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille)

Comment: Despite all the quality this team posseses, there is one major setback in it. It is called Raymond Domenech. The players in all lines are top quality, but given the bad coach he can mess them all up. France will be a good team to bet against in this World Cup – and there will be juicy odds too.

We are pleased to announce our new partnership. Train and Play the Italian Way

Australian Football Players is pleased to announce a unique partnership with Italy’s Ascoli Soccer Academy. This partnership will not only forge relationships between Australian Football Players and Italian football clubs like Ascoli Calcio 1898 but we are now able to offer Australian players and teams the opportunity to travel to Italy and participate in Camps, Trials and Year Long Soccer Courses. Ascoli Soccer Academy and Ascoli Calcio 1898 technical staff conduct trials both in Italy and abroad. We hope to bring both Academy and Club to Australia in the near future to conduct trials. 

The Italian Football Academy (IFA)- Ascoli Soccer Academy has brought together the experience of its’ own technical staff and the experience acquired from the Perugia Football Club’s coaching staff to create a unique developmental institution. Australian Football Players has now joined Ascoli Soccer Academy in a consolidated effort to bring advanced player and coach education to local Australian clubs. Australian Football Players and Ascoli Soccer Academy have identical philosophies which clearly put an emphasis on structured and methodical football education. Australian Football Players, as the Australian based affiliate, will work closely on a yearly basis with the academy to identify quality players and possibly fill its’ ranks in the Italian professional league. Australian Football Players will also provide learning opportunities for youth coaches as the demand for “higher learning” continuous to increase. The Ascoli Soccer Academy technical organization chart consists of 80 observers and 20 supervisors distributed along the national territory, all of them coming from multi-year professional experiences.  

Every football season Ascoli Soccer Academy staff are required to attend affiliated team games and try-outs as part of a monitoring process impacting over 16000 young players per year. The goal is to identify and assess qualified players to possibly join other professional youth players in the Italian 1st Division (Serie “A”, “B” or C).  

The Italian Football Academy (IFA) has consolidated the experience developed by its own technical staff and the experience acquired from the Perugia Football Club’s technical staff in the nearly 10 year long co-operation.In IFA we like to stress the idea of making football scouting, education and player’s improvement as a unique and whole concept of the company mission. Further to this we have created a wide network of affiliated teams, both national and international, plus many observers coordinated by local areas and all coming from direct past experiences in the world of soccer.The results of this complex and organized activity takes us to identifying the best players who can then be selected to join professional youth players of Italian Serie A, B or C championships. Moreover, at the end of each sport season, players chosen by IFA are primarily selected to join IFA’s junior national teams main partner such as Ascoli Calcio 1898.The IFA project was born on the wake of Perugia soccer Club which, even if excluded last 2005 from the professional chanpionship, have left talented sport managers heritage to increase new teams fortunes. And this is what our staff does right today.IFA and Ascoli Calcio 1898 co-share the mentality and carried out the idea of Ascoli Soccer Academy. Ascoli Soccer Academy unique target is to enrich Ascoli’s youth teams and, possibly after a while, the main professional team.Inside Ascoli Soccer Academy project a great importance is given to international aspects. In fact our management is continuously “on the road” monitoring and analyzing the practise of the game even in those countries where football is still not very popular. Activities such as Camps or Year Long Soccer Course normally host multi-cultural applicants, but we invite you to take a look to the proper web section for these.IFA has its main headquarter in Perugia, where we benefit of qualified and experienced structures such as the Convitto Nazionale “Principe di Napoli” in Assisi, the prestigious “University for Foreigners of Perugia” and all the sport partners we work with since many years so far. Since last year we have settled also into Ascoli Calcio’s main headquarter in Ascoli. This new branch and the IFA’s staff operating by there work in order to facilitate co-operation and fulfil any technical and organizational requirement. By creating this new branch we will also be able to maximize the co-operation with all national and international affiliated clubs.  

For further information for Australian players, clubs and teams, please contact Australian Football Players through our website www.australianfootballplayers.com.au or call Sergio Garcia direct on +61 2 414 997 205.

The decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to withdrawal from hosting Nigeria 2009 FIFA U-17 world in the words of Issa Hayatou is a huge embarrassment to Africa. It is particularly embarrassing that the country will seek to wash its dirty linen in the public. Again, in the words of Chief Adegboye Onigbinde “This is bad omen and very unfortunate for the youths of the country.” (The Punch, Friday, 24 October 2008) Indeed, Onigbinde has spoken like one who clearly understands that the Youth are still part of Nigeria and that football and sports as a whole is one unifying factor for the country.

I refuse to admit the verbose excuses as tendered by the Federal Government’ John Odey that the current global financial crisis informed the government’s decision to shelve the hosting and that lack of resources also contributed to this decision of the Government to make a “365-day turn around.” We know in this country that it is always easy to blame situations for illogical events occasioned by bad leadership.

The excuse that N37bn estimate for the hosting of this even is unrealizable is a bad idea and a clear calculated attempt to deny the youth of the country joy. I dare question the origin of this amount, and ask if the government intends to build more stadiums in its bid to host the championship because whoever recommended this very amount in the first place should know that the amount is too much. If the government requires this outrageous sum of amount to host under-17 championship, then this government will surely require N217bn to host a senior world cup.

Since the Government gave FIFA an initial guarantee on the readiness to host the championship, it should go ahead and host it because the money is readily available, we know it. Everyday, we hear of endless probes without results about outrageous sums in the private pockets of our public officers, this money should be committed into the hosting of the championship and save us global embarrassment. After all, no common man in this country not even the vibrant press can report how the money recovered from the late Abacha used. Was it ever used to construct at least a stadium in any one state of the federation? Was it used to sponsor out team to any one Olympic Games?

Our government should do away with one step forward and three steps backward policy which will but return us to the former days of Abacha when Nigeria chose to experience set back in football courtesy of a trivial issue. The implication of sudden withdrawal of Nigeria from hosting the championship will be too harsh for the country to bear. If the nation will not be at the championship in Algeria, within the African level because it crashed out, fail to present itself as the defending champion and maybe banned from featuring in South Africa 2010 then, the nation must have caused itself untold damage.          

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• Slim Fitting Euro Cut
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Product Description
This Jacket is SLIM FITTING. Ghast Premier Series International Soccer Jackets feature your favorite coutry’s name and flag on a high quality polyester jacket. Jackets feature that country’s flag on the left chest and the country’s name in flocking on the right chest. The black and white jacket is accented with each countries colors in stripes across the chest. The inside of the jacket is fully lined in mesh for a more complete and professional look. The jacket also features side pockets and is fully machine washable. This jacket is slim fitting. Please order a size up if you are looking for a bigger fit…. More >>

Brazil International Soccer Jacket, Ghast Premier Series World Cup Jackets, Small

Watch Honduras vs Chile Live Online

Honduras vs Chile 2010 FIFA World Cup – Honduras will match up with Chile in the 2010 Football World Cup match on Wednesday, June 16, 2010.

Match Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Time: 12:30 G.M.T

Teams:

Honduras: Valladares, Sabillon, Chavez, Figueroa, Izaguirre; Turcios, Palacios, Guevara, Julio Leon, Pavon, Suazo.

Chile: Bravo, Vidal, Jara, Ponce, Millar, Carmona, Medel, Mati Fernandez, Beausejour, Paredes, Sanchez.

Teams Report:

Honduras is facing Chile in their first match of 2010 FIFA World Cup from Group H. Both the teams are looking for good start in the 2010 Football World Cup.

Honduras has got some injury worries about their star players, Wilson Palacios and David Suazo. Both the star players are suffering with thigh injury. This is the second World Cup appearance for Honduras after the 1982 World Cup. Honduras impressed Costa Rica with wonderful performance during the qualifying match on last October. But, Honduras is still struggling to continue the same spirit these days. They didn’t win any match after defeating USA in January. Later, they lost against Turkey, Venezuela and Romania. Honduras has scored only two goals in their last five matches.

Chile performed well in the international warm-up matches before the 2010 FIFA World Cup and willing to continue the same form. Chile won against Northern Ireland, Israel and New Zealand in the warm-up matches. This is the Chile’s eighth World Cup appearance but not won a World Cup title.

Honduras has got some injury worries about their star players, Wilson Palacios and David Suazo. Both the star players are suffering with thigh injury. This is the second World Cup appearance for Honduras after the 1982 World Cup. Honduras impressed Costa Rica with wonderful performance during the qualifying match on last October. But, Honduras is still struggling to continue the same spirit these days. They didn’t win any match after defeating USA in January. Later, they lost against Turkey, Venezuela and Romania. Honduras has scored only two goals in their last five matches.

Soccer is a game that has become world wide famous now-a-days. With each passing day, one can see its popularity rising higher and higher. The term ‘soccer’ evolved in the later part of the 19th century when people began abbreviating the French variation of ‘association football’ to soccer. Some people call it football, some call it soccer. But whatever the name is used, it refers to the same beautiful game which has made its place among the hearts of people within a very short span of time.

Despite of the region, age groups and gender, this game has its fans everywhere. Men, women, kids including both girls and boys, all adore soccer. Playing soccer is not the only interest of soccer fans but watching the soccer match has also become one of the major excitements among the soccer lovers. This craze of soccer can be seen everywhere, whether it’s in schools, colleges, local soccer clubs or national and international tournaments. Proper soccer teams are prepared and soccer matches are organized. Taking advantage of this growing soccer lovers’ community, different companies offer various thrilling soccer attractions. This includes a variety of soccer equipments like soccer balls, colorfully and sophisticatedly designed, soccer uniform consisting of soccer shirts, soccer shorts, soccer jerseys, socks, shoes, caps, gloves and different bed sheets, curtains, cushion covers, carpets with soccer related prints and the list goes on and on.

Soccer fans adore these soccer attractions and try to get more and more of these. They take pride in possessing these soccer related stuff. One of these attractions include skillfully designed soccer balls. Soccer balls come in many different sizes, materials, and styles; and league specifications vary depending on the age and level of the players. The best material for the ball depends on the fact that on which surface you are going to play with it. Accordingly the prices vary as well.

Soccer uniforms have become an inseparable part of this magnificent game. Initially soccer uniforms were worn only by soccer players. But with the passage of time as the admirers of soccer increased, the companies started designing uniforms for soccer fans as well. Now it has become a full time business. Many colorful, bright and trendy soccer shirts, jerseys, shorts are designed for the fans who happily wear these uniforms to support their teams and proclaim their loyalty and admiration. Also the soccer players in the field get encouraged when they see their cheering supporters, shouting for them in their colorful uniforms. The soccer uniforms for fans are manufactured in different colors, with various designs, logos, and numbers or soccer players’ pictures imprinted on them. The companies also offer customization facilities to their customers by which the soccer lovers can get their uniforms personalized according to their choice. Kids, adults, male and females all love to wear such uniforms in the spirit of supporting their teams.

Unique and stylish soccer shoes are also in high demand now-a-days. Different companies manufacture the trendy soccer shoes, keeping in mind the comfort of the players and fans. Lighter and flexible soccer shoes are preferred by most of the people. Since 1990, the best shoes are usually made of kangaroo skin with plastic soles and aluminum studs.

Many bed sheets, curtains, carpets and cushion covers are available in the market with soccer related prints on them. Fans especially kids love to decorate their rooms with these accessories.

Different players also auction their soccer uniforms or equipment in the spirit of charity. Soccer fans find them priceless and buy them even for large amounts. The money is then donated to any charity, ultimately contributing to the society. This is a very healthy practice and should not be stopped as the money after all goes for the needy people.

Soccer attractions, like the game itself, are marvelous and countless.

• 100% Polyester
• Slim Fitting Euro Cut
• Side Pockets
• Fully Lined

Product Description
This Jacket is SLIM FITTING. Ghast Premier Series International Soccer Jackets feature your favorite coutry’s name and flag on a high quality polyester jacket. Jackets feature that country’s flag on the left chest and the country’s name in flocking on the right chest. The black and white jacket is accented with each countries colors in stripes across the chest. The inside of the jacket is fully lined in mesh for a more complete and professional look. The jacket also features side pockets and is fully machine washable. *For countries that have won previous World Cups an embroidered red star appears below that countrys flag for each time they have won. This jacket is slim fitting. Please order a size up if you are looking for a bigger fit…. More >>

Spain International Soccer Jacket, Ghast Premier Series World Cup Jackets, Large

• 100% Polyester
• Slim Fitting Euro Cut
• Side Pockets
• Fully Lined

Product Description
This Jacket is SLIM FITTING. Ghast Premier Series International Soccer Jackets feature your favorite coutry’s name and flag on a high quality polyester jacket. Jackets feature that country’s flag on the left chest and the country’s name in flocking on the right chest. The black and white jacket is accented with each countries colors in stripes across the chest. The inside of the jacket is fully lined in mesh for a more complete and professional look. The jacket also features side pockets and is fully machine washable. *For countries that have won previous World Cups an embroidered red star appears below that countrys flag for each time they have won. This jacket is slim fitting. Please order a size up if you are looking for a bigger fit…. More >>

Spain International Soccer Jacket, Ghast Premier Series World Cup Jackets, Large

Ever worry that you are going to miss the next big soccer match and miss seeing David Beckham in full glory? Well worry no more because now thanks to a great service that allows you to watch live soccer games online you never have to worry about missing another soccer game or anything else for that matter ever again. In fact, if you take advantage of this great offer not only can you watch live soccer games online but you can also choose from over 3000 local, national, international, and other sports channels so that you never have to miss anything again. Start watching Live Soccer at http://watchsocceronline.net/

One of the great things about this unique service that allows you to watch live soccer games online is that as soon as you sign up you can start using your PC as a television whenever you like immediately. There is no extra hardware or software that you need to purchase to watch live soccer games online as long as you have a reliable connection to the Internet. Due to this fact if you want to watch live soccer games right now you can since it only takes about five minutes to get the software onto your computer and to complete the registration process. That is quicker than it is to set up a new television in your home!

Intrigued? Well you have good reason to be because this means that you can watch live soccer games from anywhere you like as long as you have your laptop with you. Since all you need is an internet connection you can even be in a different country studying or simply traveling and still tune in to watch live soccer games or any other channels that you like. This means that no matter what you are up to as long as you have your laptop you will never be behind on any TV programming again.

Wait for it however, as it gets even better when you realize that this means you can also watch live soccer games while waiting in the airport during a flight delay or a transfer or while traveling on a train if you have WiFi capabilities. You can even head to your favorite local café or pub and watch live soccer games if there is Wifi available so that you do not have to be stuck at home just because you want to catch the big game on tonight.

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This year, people are also watching the World Cup online and on mobile phones, potentially adding to the overall audience. Univision said that 283,000 unique video players—used in Web browsers to watch video—tuned in to live streams of Friday’s games on Univision’s Web site, where they are available free with ads. ESPN said its ESPN3.com service, which streams games live to subscribers, had delivered 61 million minutes of World Cup content since Thursday. That`s a score!

The viewing data provide only a limited snapshot of the World Cup’s U.S. popularity, however, because they don’t take into account people who watch on TVs at work or in other public places, such as bars. Because the games often air during the dayinstead of in the evening like marquee U.S.-based events, that can be a significant slice of viewers.

Since 1994, the most-watched World Cup game on ABC was 1999′s Women’s World Cup final, played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., according to ESPN. That game, in which the U.S. beat China on penalty kicks, was watched on ABC by 18 million people.

Viewing in the opening days was also likely boosted from 2006 in part because of the tournament schedule, which had two North American teams playing in the first two days. In 2006, Mexico didn’t play its first game until the first Sunday, and the U.S. didn’t play until Monday. Sunday’s viewing numbers aren’t expected to be available until Monday afternoon. I wish that was really something. But it is.