Make no mistake about it; it’s been a slow start to the World Cup lacking those spectacular matches which makes you gasp for your breath. Rather at South Africa, it’s been a world of low scoring matches, very few ‘great’ goals scored, a string of goalkeeper gaffes and a host of off-field controversies. One fact that has stood out amongst others is that the top European sides have disappointed and so far this World Cup has truly gone South America’s way.

England, Germany, Italy and Spain are all flirting with elimination while France is already on its way back. The top South American teams- Argentina, Brazil and even the likes of Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay have all been impressive in stark contrasts with Europe’s big shots. How come this sudden change in the order of the Football World?
One reason being quoted to justify Europe’s dismal show is the use of Jabulani balls. Its being said that since these balls are lighter, the players tend to hit from close range giving weaker teams an advantage as the defence area shrinks. Also the non-European teams know European style of playing inside out thanks to an unhindered TV broadcast across the world but not vice versa. Argentina’s coach Diego Maradona attributes this success to highly competitive South American qualifiers.

Reasons may be countless, but one fact remains true- if you play good football, none of them matter. Good football is what Europe needs right now. Who knows, A European captain may have the final laugh on July 11.

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“He is the referee; he’s the judge, jury and executioner.”-Harry Kewell

These words from one of the socceroos finest, who was sent off by Italian ref Roberto Rosetti after a ball blasted from close range hit him on the upper arm on the goal line in the fighting 1-1 draw against Ghana, seem to have hit a mark. Refereeing in this WC has almost been farcical and everyone is seeing red!
The hottest on the charts is the red card assessed to Kaka in Brazil’s 3-1 win over the Ivory Coast. Kaka collided with Kader Keita who sold the foul by clutching his face writhing on the ground, when no part of Kaka’s body touched him in the face. Brazil Coach Dunga said the booking was “totally unjust.” And Kaka too said, “It was unfair. The image will speak for me.”
Australia’s Tim Cahill also faced the Ref-blues against Germany for a challenge that even Schweinsteiger, being the German who was brought down, agreed shouldn’t have warranted a red card.

This brings me to the point; every major sport has undergone vast technological upgrades, except the world’s biggest sport: FOOTBALL. Everything’s left to the ref, who’s expected to be right all the time. But seeing recent events, we know HE’S NOT!! How many more incidents before things turn ugly? How long before FIFA takes the guillotine strings out of the ref’s hands, only time can tell.

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They qualified thanks to a Thierry Henry’s handball in the qualifying game against Ireland that the referee failed to spot. And what followed thereafter is history. After striker Nicolas Anelka was accused of insulting the coach and subsequently sent back, the French players refused to train protesting Anelka’s expulsion followed by a string of resignations and allegations. As France prepares to take on South Africa in its last league match, let’s look at where does this crisis lead the French to?

Nowhere to be plain honest. First things first, By going on a strike at a global event like The World Cup, The French squad has done an irreparable damage to the image of French football and to an extent, France itself. Even if there is some justification to there version on Anelka’s expulsion, it doesn’t at all justify their refusal to train which makes them look like seven year olds, as one French newspaper put it.

The bottom-line is that by refusing to train, the players have turned their back on various responsibilities that come with wearing French colours on their chest- Responsibilities towards fans, towards sponsors and towards the game itself. And as the great French tragedy will subside in South Africa, unfortunately for the players, the world will never be the same again.

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The world cup saw its biggest upset thus far when the final whistle blew and the score-line read 1-1 at Nelspruit last night.

New Zealand showed exactly how attack is the best form of defense and came up with 3 strikers to ruffle some Italian feathers. Coach Ricki Herbert and the All-Whites were rewarded for their risky maneuvers in the seventh minute when they took a shocking lead through Shane Smeltz.

There were some notable un-Italian defending mistakes that had the Azzurri rearguard in a chaotic cacophony. Fabio Cannavaro was the most blatant when he nudged the ball gently into the path of a grateful Smeltz and the No. 9 made no mistake in placing the ball under the diving Federico Marchetti.

The Italians laid the All-White midfield to waste but their defense seemed impenetrable especially with Paston’s superb goal-keeping. Tussle with the refs continued their trend even as a hotly contested penalty allowed Vincenzo Iaquinta to score low to the left saving Marcello Lippi’s Azzurri some face.

Herbert’s side were certainly well worthy of a share of the spoils, and go into their final match against Paraguay with everything still to play for in Group F.

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Even those who don’t follow football wish France to continue in the World Cup somehow. Not that they want them to win, just that with France around in the competition, there follows another week of drama, of losses, of fights, of expulsions, of resignations-anything but the football that is to say.

If it hadn’t been for the Anelka’s expulsion from the French squad and the subsequent refusal of other players to train, England would have stolen the limelight- Wayne Rooney’s outburst at supporters, Capello’s love-hate relationship with the media and then as if this all was not enough, John Terry hinted at speaking plain with Capello. Besides that, Robert Green is in the history books already.

And finally Football. If the controversy about the vuvuzelas is set aside, it’s safe to record that the World Cup has been full of surprises and some of the heavyweights are not performing to the level as would have been expected of them. But as we get to the business end of the tournament, one can only hope that the game takes the centre stage and in the end only one winner should emerge- The game of Football itself.

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Group A of the FIFA world cup is perhaps in the most Interesting situation than any. The Group which comprises of Mexico, Uruguay, France and the hosts South Africa has more buzz in store with days to come.

After being routed 2-0 by the Mexicans in their encounter, the runner-up of the previous edition faces the threat of an early exit in the FIFA world Cup 2010. With 2 crucial encounters still to be played, one between Mexico and Uruguay and the other France VS the Hosts, the group is still wide open, with the all Four teams having a chance of making it to the next change. But the most crucial match for all the four teams is of course the one between Mexico and Uruguay. A draw between them will ensure both the teams qualifying for the next Round closing doors for SA and the former world number one France. France’s early exit will be one of the biggest upset in this World cup.

But in case the match between Mexico and Uruguay ends with a definite result, the final group a match between will South Africa and France will decide the 2nd qualifier from the group other than the winner of the match between Mexico and Uruguay. However FIFA has released a statement which reads, “Our main slogan has been for many years ‘my game is fair play’ so we trust fully all 32 teams participating in the World Cup to play fair”.
Of lately rumors are being circulated of pre-match fixing of Mexico VS Uruguay match, to ensure a draw. The managers of both the teams have dismissed the rumors for now and have ensured a fair-play in the true spirit.

The decision definitely comes as a breather for France and also gives some hope for the hosts SA to make it to the next level; of course they will have to upset France. Although most would be happy to see the African host making it to the next round, but the Fans of France would love to see their Team competing in the final stages of the extravaganza. For now it seems the France are missing the former jersey no 10, Zinedine Zidane very much. Meanwhile we hope the games are played in the true spirit of Sportsmanship.

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