World Cup 2010: Italian FA calls for inquiry into 'structural crisis'

The Italian football association president Giancarlo Abete has called for serious analysis of what he called a "structural crisis" that led to the defending champions' dismal first-round elimination from the World Cup.

Italy's 3-2 loss to Slovakia yesterday marked the first time the Azzurri had exited the World Cup without winning a game, and the 2006 champions have not won at all in 2010.

"We all know the importance of football in our country and we've disappointed tens of millions of fans," Abete said today. "We have to be realists. These are the facts. We need to reflect on the structural crisis of Italian football."

World Cup 2010: Holland's Arjen Robben relieved to have recovered from injury

Happy days: Arjen Robben, right, celebrates with team-mates after Holland scored their third goal in the 3-1 win against Cameroon.  Photo: AP

The Bayern Munich player injured his hamstring in a World Cup warm-up match against Hungary and there was real doubt over whether he could play any part at all in Holland's campaign.

But after an intensive bout of treatment, he made his South African bow on Thursday and was instrumental in helping his side to a 2-1 win against Cameroon to maintain their 100 percent record.

England, USA made to sweat

England
Algeria
Slovenia
Yanks

It has become notorious, yet this headline in English tabloid The Sun summed up a widely-held view that the Three Lions would stroll through Group C. USA, too, greeted the draw with satisfaction, confident – if not quite as bullish as The Sun - that they would be strong enough to join Fabio Capello's side in the last 16. And, ultimately, both prevailed. But easy? It was anything but.

Paraguay seal top spot with Kiwi draw

Paraguay did what they had to do to top Group F with a scoreless draw with New Zealand in Polokwane on Thursday. The South Americans finished with five points, one ahead of Slovakia, who knocked out holders Italy in the group's other match, while the All Whites go out unbeaten after their third consecutive draw.

Chances were very few and far between in a contest between the naturally defensive New Zealanders and a Paraguay side who looked comfortable enough playing for the draw that would take them through.

Slovakia advance, eliminate Italy

Slovakia survived a late onslaught to beat Italy 3-2, reach the Round of 16 and eliminate their illustrious opponents. A Robert Vittek double and a stoppage-time lob from substitute Kamil Kopunek proved enough for Vladimir Weiss's team to advance as Group F runners-up, after late goals from Antonio Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella had ensured a dramatic conclusion to a thrilling contest in Johannesburg.

El Tri look to learn from past

Mexico will look to learn lessons from the past when they play Argentina in their second round match at the FIFA World Cup™ in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Mexico lost to Diego Maradona's two-times champions at the same stage of the last FIFA World Cup in Germany to an extra-time goal from Maxi Rodriguez and now have to try to work out a way of derailing this year's Argentine vintage, which swept through Group B.

Park focused solely on Uruguay

Park Ji-Sung is not looking beyond Saturday's game with Uruguay as Korea Republic bid to extend their historic run at the FIFA World Cup™.

The Taeguk Warriors cemented their place in the last 16 of a FIFA World Cup for the first time ever on foreign soil after a win and a draw sealed second in Group B.

Coach Huh Jung-Moo's target before the tournament was to reach the knock-out stage and with that achieved South Korea can now reassess their goals in South Africa.

World Cup 2010: Paraguay through after drab draw with New Zealand

Paraguay moved into the last 16 of the World Cup for the fourth time in their history after being held to an uneventful 0-0 draw by New Zealand. Paraguay knew a draw would suffice – regardless of the outcome of the other group game, between Italy and Slovakia – and neither team created many scoring chances despite displaying more urgency after the break following a turgid first half at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Paraguay finished with five points in Group F, two more than New Zealand and one ahead of Slovakia, who secured second place and qualification with a 3-2 win over Italy.

Jermain Defoe leads England through to last 16 of World Cup

Jubilant Jermain Defoe celebrates after firing England into the last 16 of the World Cup yesterday.

Millions of fans breathed a sigh of relief as Mirror columnist Defoe scored the only goal in the nail-biting win over Slovenia.

Fabio Capello’s men now face old enemy Germany on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals. Beaming Defoe said after the game: “It was brilliant. I’m buzzing.”
John Terry (pic: Getty)

Capello danced with joy as England finally showed fighting spirit to beat Slovenia, then revealed his new secret weapon – beer.

Shakira's Waka Waka Fifa World Cup Song in trouble

Last thing the World Cup in South Africa needed was trouble over the tournament's official anthem but that's exactly what Shakira's Waka Waka is causing among South Africans and many others who say they have 'endured' it.

The song hit radio stations in Johannesburg last week and locals responded with comments like "It's horrible!" and "How badly has Shakira sung the African part of it!"

The Colombian singer collaborated with South African band Freshlyground on the track, which borrows from a Cameroonian song called Zangalewa. But the fact that the anthem for South Africa's World Cup is not sung by a South African is the point many critics are raising.

Waka Waka Fifa World Cup 2010 Shakira New Song Release

Perhaps more than any other year in recent memory, 2010 found  big-name music stars vying for the honor of recording the official song  of the World Cup soccer event held in South Africa (Daddy Yankee and  K’Naan both scored big game day hits). Among the contenders was  Colombian pop star Shakira who offered up not one but two versions of  her Waka Waka mp3; an English version, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),  and a Spanish version titled Waka Waka (Estos Es Africa).
Featuring backing music by the South African outfit Freshlyground,  Shakira’s Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) mp3 sold well online after  being performed during the closing ceremonies of the World Cup  festivities. Blending a wide array of musical elements including  traditional African rhythms and instrumentation, modern pop beats and  the always unpredictable vocal runs by Shakira, Waka Waka (This Time for  Africa)