A-Z of the 2010 World Cup!

Cape Town Fan Walk

A is for Ayoba! Thanks South Africa for making it Ayoba! (Uniquely South African, Ayoba is a slang term used to express delight, excitement, agreement and approval)

B is for Brazil. We’ll see you there for the World Cup in 2014 – with our Vuvuzelas!.

C is for the Cape Town Fan Walk, a 2.6 km pedestrian link from the station through to Somerset Road and the Stadium Forecourt within the Green Point Urban Park. Fans and Capetonians alike took to doing the “Fan Walk” in their thousands … and a memorable time was had by all … Continued

Iniesta’s late strike wins World Cup for Spain

Andres Iniesta

Iniesta’s late strike wins World Cup for Spain
Spain captured their first ever World Cup trophy when they defeated the Netherlands 1-0 last night courtesy of a 115th minute goal from midfielder Andres Iniesta (pictured). Iniesta slotted the winner in extra time when he was put clear by Cesc Fabregas and drove the ball past a diving Maarten Stekelenburg in the Dutch goal. It was a bitterly disappointing defeat for the Netherlands who suffered their third World Cup final loss after defeats in 1974 and 1978. Continued

World Cup News – the Final 2

Carles Puyol

Puyol powers Spain into final
Spain qualified for their first World Cup final when they defeated Germany 1-0 in a tense encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban yesterday evening. A 73rd minute header from defender Carles Puyol (pictured) was enough to propel ‘La Roja’ into Sunday’s final against Holland at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

Vicente del Bosque’s second ranked side dominated the match but battled to finish off a German team lacking their usual pace until Puyol struck the decisive blow 17 minutes from the end. “Players from defence to attack were extraordinary and played a great game,” said Spain coach del Bosque. Continued

Cape Town Fan Walk photographs

Cape Town Fan Walk photographs taken on the the walk from Cape Town Station to the Germany vs Argentina match on Saturday 3rd July 2010 at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town … The Fan Walk is the walk from St Georges Mall to the Green Point Stadium – approximately 2.6km in distance … Continued

World Cup News – The final four

David Villa

Villa puts shaky Spain into last four
Second ranked Spain overcame a determined challenge from 31st ranked Paraguay to progress to the semi-finals of the 2010 Fifa World Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over the South Americans at Ellis Park on Saturday. It was the first time that Spain have reached the last four of the World Cup since 1950.

In a match of high drama in which both sides squandered penalty kicks, Spain once agained relied on the goal-scoring prowess of striker David Villa (pictured) to secure victory. The 28-year-old Villa scored his fifth goal of the tournament in the 83rd minute to book his side a place in the semi-finals and give them a chance of winning the World Cup for the first time ever. Continued

Be a Good Sport in Cape Town

The World Cup has provided the opportunity to try out various bars, pubs and clubs in Cape Town that have broadcast sports coverage. South Africa is such a sport-loving country that you’ll be able to follow your favourite sporting events at any time of the year.

Here are some options … Continued

Latest World Cup News – the last eight

David Villa

Lethal Villa puts Spain into last eight
A 63rd minute strike by striker David Villa (pictured) was sufficient to earn Spain a 1-0 victory over neighbours Portugal and a World Cup quarter-final berth after an intriguing match at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town yesterday. Villa scored the winner when he stabbed the ball into the net after his first shot was blocked by Portugal ‘keeper Eduardo.

“We felt comfortable but you have to be careful because things can change quickly,” said Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque. “We know we’re working well, we want to create a bit of history,” he added. Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz remarked: “Spain were much more effective moving the ball around. We were looking for chances on the counter-attack. We had our chances – we just didn’t score. We’ll have to come back stronger.” Continued

Latest Results from the World Cup

Carlos Tevez

Argentina cruise into quarter-finals
Carlos Tevez (pictured) scored two goals for Diego Maradonna’s Argentina as the South Americans defeated Mexico 3-1 in their World Cup second round match at Soccer City yesterday. Argentina’s win set up a rematch of their 1986 and 1990 World Cup finals with Germany who outclassed England earlier in the day.

However, although Argentina arguably deserved their victory, the match was not without controversy. Tevez’s 26th minute opener should not have counted as television replays showed he was well offside. Continued

My World Cup experience …

My World Cup ...

Now I’m not sure about you, but soccer fever has certainly hit me in a big way. I have never been a big soccer fan and tend to favour the rugby, however, from the first moments of the 2010 World Cup opening ceremony I knew I was hooked.

South Africa is united and although we haven’t gone through to the next round the vibe everywhere is tangible, electric and absolutely addictive. I had luckily managed to purchase tickets for one game in Cape Town and am extremely disappointed I didn’t get my act together quicker and buy more tickets … Continued

Latest World Cup news and results

Shinji Okazaki

Japan too good for sub par Denmark
Japan booked their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup when they defeated an out of sorts Denmark 3-1 in their final Group E fixture at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg last night. Two well-struck goals from free kicks by Keisuke Honda, after 17 minutes, and Yasuhito Endo on 30 minutes, gave the Asians a 2-0 halftime lead.

The Danes pulled a goal back nine minutes from time when Japanese ‘keeper Eiji Kawashima blocked a Jon Dahl Tomasson penalty only for the Danish forward to score from the rebound. Shinji Okazaki (pictured) netted a third goal three minutes from time to give Japan their handsome victory. They are now the second Asian team after South Korea to qualify for the last 16 and will meet Paraguay in Pretoria on Tuesday. Continued

International Fans having a Blast in South Africa

Fans have a blast

International visitors to South Africa, here to support their teams in the 2010 Fifa World Cup, say they are having a blast. By the end of week one many foreign visitors had hailed Africa’s first World Cup as one of the most vibrant. “The German World Cup was very exciting for us but South Africa has a different vibe altogether,” said Philip Friedrich from Germany.

“South Africans are very friendly people and they know how to have fun. I’ve never danced and sang so much before, during, and after a game. When those vuvuzelas start blowing you can’t help but feel the spirit of Africa moving you.” With his friends, Friedrich is following their team around the country. They are currently staying at a bread and breakfast in Durban and attended the Germany-Australia game at the city’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on 13 June, where the Germans beat Australia 4-0. Continued

Bafana win the battle but lose the war

Bongani Khumalo

Bafana Bafana took advantage of a depleted and dispirited France team to run out deserved 2-1 winners in their final World Cup Group A match at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein yesterday afternoon. It was a much-improved performance from the South Africans, who were soundly beaten by Uruguay in their previous fixture in Pretoria last Wednesday.

Carlos Alberto Parreira’s men, under pressure to record a win to restore national pride, produced the goods against their highly-ranked opponents with defender Bongani Khumalo (pictured) and striker Katlego Mphela banging in goals in the 20th and 37th minutes respectively. In reply, Raymond Domenech’s outfit could only muster a 70th minute effort from Florent Malouda. Continued

Bafana Bafana are out of World Cup but win the hearts and minds of all South Africans …

Bafana Bafana are out of the World Cup but they won the hearts and minds of all South Africans and the whole world tonight, says 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee boss Danny Jordaan. Jordaan said the boys in green and yellow played with pride, passion, skill and commitment, when they took on former world champions France in their final group stage match which ended 2-1 in their favour at the Mangaung Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Although South Africa won the match, it was not enough for the host nation to progress past the group stage of the tournament. “Yes, they did not make it past the group stage but they did what the country asked of them. They did the national team jersey and every single South African proud and we want to thank them for what they’ve done for this country,” he said. Continued

Monday Morning 2010 World Cup News

Vincenzo Iaquinta

Draw leaves Italy in danger of early exit
New Zealand produced a spirited and determined performance when they held defending champions Italy to a 1-1 draw in an enthralling World Cup Group F encounter at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday. The result leaves the fifth ranked Azzurri with a lot to do to make it through to the knockout stages after they drew their opening match (also 1-1) with Paraguay a week ago.

Shane Smeltz stunned Italy early on when he found the back of the net in the seventh minute. His goal originated from New Zealand’s first attack of the match after Simon Elliot lofted a long free kick in from the left towards the back post. The ball floated over the heads of the Azzurri defenders and bounced off Fabio Cannavaro’s knee, leaving Smeltz free to stab the ball home from inside the six-yard box. Continued

Lastest World Cup Results and News …

Javier Hernandez

France face early exit after loss to Mexico
France suffered an embarasssing 2-0 World Cup defeat to Mexico at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane last night and now face an early exit from the tournament after drawing with Uruguay in their opening Group A match last Friday.

Substitute forward Javier Hernandez (pictured) put Mexico ahead after 64 minutes when he made his way into the box unchallenged and outfoxed France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to put Mexico ahead on 64 minutes. Worse was to follow for the Europeans 15 minutes later, when veteran forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco made no mistake with a penalty after Pablo Barrera was brought down by Eric Abidal … Continued