Annan, Ghana's next shooting star

At any given moment there are names floating through the heads and across the desks of the managers of major European clubs; hot young prospects poised in their relative obscurity but on the cusp of a big breakthrough. The name of Ghanaian Anthony Annan is at the top of those lists.

Currently with Rosenborg, runaway leaders in Norway's Tippeligaen, Annan has played every minute of Ghana's ten qualifying games in the African Zone, culminating earlier this month in the Black Stars becoming the first African nation, aside from hosts Bafana Bafana, to qualify for next year's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Not bad for the 23-year-old who only two years ago was lining up for Hearts of Oak, training on a dirt pitch beside a dumping area on the sun-scorched coast of Accra.



"I was an important part of the team, not just a member of the squad," the friendly Annan told African Football Media from his home near Trondheim. "It is a source of great pride for me to have had such a responsibility. We have big players in the Ghana team, guys like Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, players who are known all over the world. Those guys always gave me total encouragement to play with confidence."



I just stood there not moving, trying to think about what had happened. I stared into the sky and thanked God. I thought: 'We did it! I am here!'
Annan on reaching South Africa 2010


Over the course of a gruelling qualifying campaign, young Anthony, who grew up admiring Pablo Aimar and Argentine football in general, played a holding role in the centre of midfield, keeping things tight when Chelsea star Essien sought more freedom in attack."It helps a young guy like me a lot to look over and see Essien by my side. It can slow your breathing down," added Annan, who has been described as ‘the next Essien' because of the interest being shown in him from big-time clubs in England, Spain and Italy.



Annan is quick to defer to his team-mate however, saying: "Essien is a unique player, powerful and strong but elegant. When he goes forward, I stay behind and cover him. I let him go up and do his things because he is an amazing player when he moves toward goal. I'm happy to stay back and support the man."

The compact, muscular Annan can also play in the backline but prefers to line-up in midfield, where his eye for a piercing pass has made him a target for major European clubs. He first caught the eye of Ghana's then-coach Claude Le Roy - who publically compared Annan to French icon Claude Makelele - and picked him for last year's CAF African Cup of Nations on home soil in 2008.



Third place wasn't a dream result for the Black Stars, but Annan took a major step as a player. "It was my first international tournament," he says. "It was a tremendous honour that the coach put his faith in me. Every African wants to play in the CAN, and on home soil it was even more special. We did what we could do, but we lacked a little bit of luck and missed out on the trophy. Now we are a better team, and better for the experience of having lost."



Focused on claiming the Norwegian top flight, something domestic giants Rosenborg are only one win away from doing, Annan says that English football would suit him well and that he'd like to play there someday. But for now his focus is intently on next year's FIFA World Cup finals.


Essien is a unique player, powerful and strong but elegant. When he goes forward, I stay behind and cover him.
Annan on Michael Essien


Ghana sealed their place in the event on 6 September, with two games to spare, after a 2-0 win over Sudan. "When the final whistle went [against Sudan] I was so excited that I froze," Annan said, joy clearly in his voice. "I just stood there not moving, trying to think about what had happened. I stared into the sky and thanked God. I thought: 'We did it! I am here!'

"With next year being the first World Cup in Africa, we were all desperate to make sure we'd be there," Annan added about what will be Ghana's second finals on the trot and the first ever on African soil. "We were always talking about it together as a team like a bunch of kids, and then we did it."

The world seems to spreading out at young Annan's feet. With a move to one of Europe's big leagues looking likely and a virtually guaranteed place in the FIFA World Cup-bound Ghana's first team, this is one young Black Star about to shoot through the sky.

goal-shy Portugal

Portugal's record over the years suffers in comparison with the achievements of Europe's superpowers. Their tally of four appearances at the FIFA World Cup™ and five at the UEFA European Championship seems paltry when compared to that of seasoned qualifiers like Germany, Italy and England.

Yet over the last decade, the Portuguese have become virtual ever-presents at major finals and have impressed on the big stage on more than one occasion, finishing runners-up at UEFA EURO 2004, fourth at Germany 2006 and reaching the last eight at Austria and Switzerland 2008.

Given that impressive run, Portugal were widely tipped to qualify for South Africa 2010 at a canter. But despite boasting the reigning FIFA World Player Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Queiroz's undoubtedly talented outfit are in serious danger of missing out on the finals for the first time since France 1998.

Their most obvious shortcomings have been up front, where star performer Ronaldo has failed to repeat the club form that has taken him to the pinnacle of the world game. The Real Madrid man has hit just two goals on international duty in the last 23 months and, alarmingly, has yet to score in eight games in the current qualification campaign.

What makes his goal drought all the more perplexing is the fact that over more or less the same period, the flying forward struck 18 English Premier League goals for Manchester United, the second-biggest haul in the country.

Ronaldo's finishing woes are not the only cause of Portugal's troubles in front of goal. "Our finishing has been very poor," lamented midfielder Duda after the recent qualifiers against Denmark and Hungary. "We've been missing a lot of chances."


We have been the better side in a lot of our games but unfortunately we are just not putting our chances away.
Portugal's Pepe


That game against the Danes provided a perfect illustration of their problems, with Ronaldo and Co hitting the back of the net just once from 35 goal attempts. "We have been the better side in a lot of our games but unfortunately we are just not putting our chances away," commented Pepe after heading Portugal to a welcome 1-0 defeat of Hungary just days later.

Among the side's scorers, only Nani and Hugo Almeida have two goals to their name. Simao Sabrosa, Deco, Bruno Alves, Liedson (on his debut for A Seleçao das Quinas) and Pepe have all appeared on the scoresheet once, with their other goal coming when Malta defender Brian Said put through his own net in a 4-0 win in Ta'Qali. Since then the Portuguese have laboured to no fewer than three goalless draws.

Adding to the mystery is the fact that coach Queiroz has a glittering cast of players to call on aside from Ronaldo. Nani continues to develop under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson, while right winger Simao has made a valuable contribution at Atletico Madrid, forming part of a highly productive attacking line with Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero.

Pepe has produced some commanding performances at the back for Real Madrid, and fellow centre-back Bruno Alves is yet another cultured performer to graduate from the Porto academy. Seasoned midfielder Deco, a UEFA Champions League winner with Porto and Barcelona, is back in favour at Chelsea, while the Brazi-born Liedson has proven his lethal goalscoring skills in the colours of Sporting.

Too little, too late?
Yet despite the riches at their disposal, Portugal have struggled to gel as a unit during their faltering Group 1 campaign. Inhibited by a lack of fluency in possession and a tendency to lose shape, their failings in front of goal are the most obvious symptom of their shaky recent form.

Uncertainty has been heightened by Queiroz's decision to switch goalkeepers midway through the group. After being entrusted with the No1 jersey for the first four games, keeping three clean sheets in the process, Benfica's Quim was surprisingly dropped for Sporting Braga's Eduardo.

"Quite apart from anything else, I'm happy because we've got a balanced side now," said Queiroz after returning from Budapest. "We have a settled squad and I'm very happy with how the players have responded to the difficulties we're facing."

That balance may have come too late to save Queiroz's side from a surprise elimination, however. With only high-pressure home games against Hungary and Malta to come, Portugal need maximum points and a Swedish slip-up just to make the play-offs. It is a state of affairs few would have predicted when the Lusitanians embarked on what was meant to be a straightforward journey to South Africa.

World Cup Tourism Plan

Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk will meet his counterparts from nine southern African countries today to discuss the potential of the region's transfrontier parks to enhance tourism during the 2010 World Cup.

Van Schalkwyk's spokesman, Riaan Aucamp, said at the weekend the transfrontier parks - protected conservation areas that straddle international boundaries - would enable SA to host a "truly African" 2010 World Cup.

He said the benefits would filter to SA's neighbours, and the cross-border parks to be discussed at today's meeting were !Ai/!Ais-Richtersveld, Kgalagadi, Kavango Zambezi, Limpopo-Shashe, Great Limpopo, Lubombo and Maloti-Drakensberg.

He said today's meeting was intended to develop "a regional approach" to unlocking the tourism potential of the parks.

"We want to ensure that when people come for the world cup they don't only enjoy the soccer but see other parts of southern Africa, and the parks will make the movement between SA and neighbouring countries easy."

SA will become the first country on the African continent to host the Soccer World Cup finals, the world's biggest sporting showpiece, when it stages the games in 2010.

Government has said it wants the economic benefits of the tournament to accrue to every country in southern Africa.

Aucamp said that the meeting would consider upgrades to ensure the parks offered travellers to the world cup the chance to experience Africa "beyond the walls of soccer stadiums".

"This approach is to enable travellers to experience a number of different African countries in a single destination," Aucamp said.

"The discussions will also address issues of tourism, infrastructure investment, quality assurance within the hospitality sector, ease of travel within the region and obstacles to convincing world cup spectators to travel more widely," he said.

The parks offer, among other attractions, hiking trails and overnight camping, specialist botanical, geological and photographic tours, cultural tours and horse trails.

Teams qualified for fifa world cup 2010

FULL LIST OF TEAMS AT 2010 WORLD CUP

HOSTS
South Africa

AFRICA QUALIFYING
Ghana

ASIA QUALIFYING
Japan
Australia
South Korea
North Korea

EUROPE QUALIFYING
Netherlands

SOUTH AMERICA QUALIFYING
Brazil

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Qualified for South Africa 2010

GHANA (6 September, 2009)

Ghana defeated Sudan 2-0 in Accra to become the first African side to reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa from the qualifiers.

Inter Milan's Sulley Muntari and Chelsea's Michael Essien scored the goals in each half to give Ghana an unassailable lead at the top of qualifying Group D.

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien: "The people of Ghana wanted us to win and we did not let them down. What a fantastic feeling to be the first African country to qualify for the first World Cup to be staged in Africa."

BRAZIL (6 September, 2009)

Brazil are the only team to have appeared in every World Cup finals and they made sure that record would continue in the best possible fashion, beating their bitter rivals Argentina 3-1 on their home turf.

Two goals from striker Luis Fabiano and another from defender Luisao was enough as they inflicted only the second home defeat in World Cup qualifiers on Diego Maradona's struggling side.

Coach Dunga: "We're happy. We beat a great team with great champions. Lionel Messi might be the best player in the world. We beat Argentina, which had not lost a match at home in qualifying."

NORTH KOREA (17 June, 2009)

Iran's failure to defeat South Korea in Seoul earlier in the day meant North Korea only needed to draw in their final group match against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

They did exactly that, with a 0-0 result, putting them into their first World Cup finals since 1966. Back then, they were memorably beaten 5-3 in the quarter-finals by Portugal - despite taking a 3-0 lead.

Coach Kim Jong-Hun: "It was so hot in Saudi Arabia and as you know the journey from Korea was long, but our belief in the ability of the players snatched the ticket to South Africa."

THE NETHERLANDS (6 June, 2009)

The Dutch won 2-1 away to Iceland to become the first European side to qualify for next summer's tournament.

Goals from Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel put Bert van Marwijk's team in the driving seat before Kristjan Orn Sigurdsson pulled a goal back.

Bert van Marwijk: "My goal was to qualify for the finals so now we have a year to prepare. Winning six straight World Cup qualifiers deserves a compliment."

SOUTH KOREA (6 June, 2009)

The South Koreans secured a seventh successive World Cup finals place thanks to a 2-0 victory over United Arab Emirates in Dubai.

Park Chu-young and Ki Sung-yueng grabbed the goals as Huh Jung-Moo's outfit strolled to a place in Africa's first World Cup.

Huh Jung-Moo: "I'm really happy that we made it. We are all satisfied with a performance that saw us ensure a place in South Africa. The players were excellent throughout the qualifiers, they did a great job."

AUSTRALIA (6 June, 2009)

The Socceroos eased into the World Cup without so much as even conceding a goal in the six matches it took them to qualify.

A 0-0 draw against Qatar in Doha wrapped things up for Pim Verbeek's team after they picked up 14 points in Group A of the final Asian qualifying phase.

Pim Verbeek: "The World Cup is a great, great event and I'm already looking forward to going there. We have to go and do it better than last time."

JAPAN (6 June, 2009)

Takeshi Okada's Japan became the first team to book their place after earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
Shunji Okazaki grabbed the only goal of the game after nine minutes to book a fourth successive finals berth.

Takeshi Okada: "We played very well. I think we should continue playing this style in the remaining matches."

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England vs Croatia on the road to Fifa 2010

It’s England vs Croatia on Wednesday. A win and we qualify for the World Cup. Simple as that, and definitely do-able.

But Croatia coach Slaven Bilić seems to think he’s spotted a weakness in the England team:
“They have some advantages but they are also missing something from their game,” he said.
“They are missing some Englishness, some of the things that have always made England teams difficult to defend against and play against.

“All I will say is that they are definitely missing something and we know what it is. But of course I am not going to tell you now what it is. It is our secret.”

This is likely just amateur mind games from the Croatia coach. But let’s indulge him anyway. And let’s assume that the weakness he’s spotted is something more tangible than “missing some Englishness”. What could England’s weakness be?

In goal maybe? Robert Green seems to be settling in as #1 without any major problems, but he’s yet to be seriously put under pressure. Wednesday against Croatia will arguably be the first time. Let’s hope he doesn’t pull a Scott Carson. Shudder.

Right back maybe? Glen Johnson is exciting going forward, but still likely to get done while defending. Which is exactly how Slovenia scored on Saturday.

Maybe in central defence? With Rio Ferdinand out, we look likely to pair John Terry with Matty Upson. Two very capable defenders, but lacking the pace and athleticism that Rio brings.
How about our lack of a proper defensive mid? Gareth Barry sort of does it, but he’s not exactly the second coming of Claude Makelele is he? Get well soon Owen Hargreaves.

Theo Walcott’s absence is a problem. Especially after what he did to Croatia last time. But Shaun Wright-Phillips or Aaron Lennon can provide some pace. Maybe we’ll even see David Beckham play there on Wednesday.

Maybe our lack of a left sided midfielder? Although that’s not exactly a secret. Or how about our lack of a world class centre forward to partner Wayne Rooney. Emile Heskey gets the job done, but he’s not exactly Didier Drogba.

So, yes, all kinds of weaknesses in the England team. But what I like about our team is that Capello is solving most of these problems. Heskey may not be world class for example, but he’s definitely getting the best out of Wayne Rooney. Steven Gerrard’s not a left mid, but that role seems to be working out for him and for Frank Lampard. Glen Johnson isn’t too strong defensively, but Wes Brown is much more solid.

More importantly, despite all our problems, we’re unbeaten in World Cup qualifying so far. Which is something Croatia can’t claim. So unless Bilić ha spotted something other than the above, something he can really exploit, then I’m expecting England to qualify for South Africa on Wednesday

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Brazil and Ghana qualified for 2010 World Cup

Brazil qualified for its 19th consecutive World Cup, leaving Argentina to join Portugal and France with difficult paths to reach next year's tournament.

Defending champion Italy and European champion Spain maintained their leads in Europe, while England and Germany won friendlies ahead of qualifiers on Wednesday. And in Africa, Cameroon boosted its chances with its first victory in the final round of qualifying.

The United States came from behind at home for the second straight qualifier, defeating El Salvador 2-1 to move up one spot into second place in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Luisao put Brazil ahead in the 24th minute at Rosario, Argentina, and Luis Fabiano scored in the 30th and 67th. Jesus Datolo scored in the 65th for Argentina, which will be under pressure to remove coach Diego Maradona.

Brazil leads South American qualifying with 30 points, three ahead of Chile and Paraguay and eight in front of Argentina with three matches remaining. The top four teams advance to the World Cup, while the No. 5 nation goes to a playoff against the No. 4 nation in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Brazil became the seventh nation to join host South Africa in next year's 32-nation field, following Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and the Netherlands. Argentina lost a home qualifier for the first time since a 5-0 defeat to Colombia in 1993.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the FIFA player of the year, is in danger of missing the World Cup after Portugal needed a last-minute goal by Liedson for a 1-1 draw against Denmark. Nicklas Bendtner gave the Danes the lead in the 41st minute.

Denmark leads Group 1 with 17 points, four ahead of Hungary, which lost 2-1 at home to Sweden when Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in injury time. Sweden is third with 12 points, and Portugal has 10 heading into Wednesday's game against Hungary. The top team qualifies from each of the nine European groups, and the best eight second-place teams go to playoffs.
France likely will have to win a playoff for a World Cup berth after a disappointing 1-1 tie with Romania at Saint-Denis.

France looked in control after Thierry Henry's 48th-minute goal, but defender Julien Escude turned the ball past his goalkeeper Hugo Llorisslid while attempting to intercept a cross seven minutes later.

"The objective is to qualify, no matter how we get there. I'm not in the habit of giving up," France coach Raymond Domenech said. "There's still everything to play for, nothing is finished yet. It will go down to the last game."

Les Bleus are second in Group 7 with 14 points, four behind Serbia heading into their meeting at Belgrade on Wednesday.

The Czech Republic, which beat the United States at the 2006 World Cup, played to a 2-2 draw at Slovakia, which could qualify for its first major tournament. Substitute forward Milan Baros headed in his 34th international goal in the 84th minute for the Czechs.

Slovakia heads Group 3 with 16 points, two ahead of Northern Ireland. The Czechs are fifth with nine.

Czech forward Jan Koller, the country's leading scorer with 55 international goals, retired from the national team after last year's European Championship, returned for this match, then said he was retiring for good from the national team.

"It's now up to the younger ones," the 36-year-old said. "I'm not good enough for it."

At Tblisi, Georgia captain Kakha Kaladze -- who plays for AC Milan -- headed two own goals in the 57th and 67th, giving Italy a 2-0 victory over Georgia.

"If we had to rely on two own goals to win, then so be it," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "But such was the way we were playing we would have scored anyway as we were creating many chances."

Italy leads Europe Group 8 with 17 points heading into Wednesday's game against Bulgaria in Turin. Second-place Ireland, which trails by one point, won 2-1 at Cyprus as Robbie Keane scored in the 83rd minute with a headed goal from seven yards.

Spain routed Belgium 5-0 as David Villa scored two goals and set up two others.

Villa had a penalty kick saved, then fed Valencia teammate David Silva for the first goal in the 41st minute. Villa made it 2-0 with a long shot in the 49th and found Gerard Pique alone in front of goal one minute later.

Silva boosted the lead to 4-0 in the 68th, and Villa tapped in a shot in the 85th.
Spain, the European champion, is atop Group 5 with 21 points and holds a six-point lead over second-place Bosnia-Herzegovina, which won 2-0 at last-place Armenia.

At Wembley, Jermain Defoe boosted his chance to start in England's World Cup qualifier against Croatia, coming off the bench to score the second goal in a 2-1 exhibition victory over Slovenia.
Frank Lampard converted a penalty kick in the 31st minute after Wayne Rooney appeared to drag down Slovenia defender Bostjan Cesar. Zlatan Ljubijankic scored for Slovenia in the 85th with a near-post header after errors by both Glen Johnson and Joleon Lescott.

David Beckham was on the bench, but the midfielder didn't make an appearance and remained on 113 international caps, 12 shy of goalkeeper Peter Shilton's record.

Mario Gomez and Mesut Oezil scored to give Germany a 2-0 victory over World Cup host South Africa in a friendly match at Levekusen.

Germany leads Group 4 with 19 points and hosts Azerbaijan on Wednesday. Russia is one point back following Saturday's 3-0 win over Liechtenstein.

Cameroon won 2-0 at Gabon on goals by Achille Emama and Samuel Eto'o. Only the top team in each group qualifies, and the Indomitable Lions need another win when they host Gabon on Wednesday.

Ivory Coast improved its record to four victories from four games, routing Burkina Faso 5-0 as Didier Drogba scored twice

Rankings

"The best part of the monthly rankings release is looking at the change in ratings for particular teams and wondering, “what the hell did they do to deserve that?”. The answer is almost always “absolutely nothing”, which is wonderful. Take for instance defending champions Italy, whose nil-nil friendly draw with Switzerland was apparently enough of a showing to vault them above Germany to 4th in this month’s rankings.

Which is why the ELO World Rankings are below FIFA’s for comparison. And respect."

Teams & Countries Playing in the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup

Overview of Countries and National Teams that qualified for FIFA 2010 and will be playing in the Soccer World Cup in South Africa

Overview of National Teams & Countries playing in the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa: AFC Qualification Group:Countries qualified for the 2010 Soccer World Cup from the Asia Qualification Group in chronological order:


Japan [Group 1] qualified for 2010 on 6 June

Australia [Group 1] qualified for 2010 on 6 June

Korea Republic [Group 2] qualified for 2010 on 6 June

The Netherlands [Group 9] qualified for 2010 on 6 June

Korea DPR [Group 2] qualified for 2010 June on 17

The story so far:Japan: The first team to qualify winning 1-0 at Uzbekistan on a ninth-minute goal by Shinji Okazaki. It will be the fourth straight World Cup appearance for the Japanese, who were eliminated in the first round of the 2006 tournament in Germany.


Australia: Appearing for the second straight time following a 0-0 tie at Qatar. It will be the third World Cup appearance for Australia, which qualified in 1974 and was eliminated three years ago with a second-round defeat to Italy.


Korea: South Korea clinched a berth in the other Asian group with a 2-0 victory at the United Arab Emirates. South Korea was a semifinalist when it co-hosted the 2002 World Cup co-host. South Korea will be making its seventh straight World Cup appearance.

The Netherlands: Qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after beating Iceland 1-2 in Reyjavik on 6 June. Nigel de Jong opened the scoring for the Oranje and former PSV captain Mark van Bommel crowned a career highlight by netting the second goal. Ooijer also won his fiftieth cap for his country.


Korea DPR: The team will return to the World Cup next year for the first time since 1966. The side sealed their second trip to the global finals with a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia.UEFA Qualification Group Countries qualified for the 2010 Soccer World Cup from the UEFA Qualification Group: The Netherlands [Group 9] qualified 6 June

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Michael Ballack 2010

Captain Michael Ballack says Germany need to raise their game if they are to seal a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Ballack's call to arms on Monday comes just over five weeks before the UEFA EURO 2008 finalists face Russia in a pivotal Group 4 qualifier in Moscow. Germany go into that 10 October clash leading Guus Hiddink's Russians, who have a game in hand, by four points.

"We have to singularly improve our level of play if we want to be a candidate at the World Cup," the Chelsea midfielder told German news agency SID.

It would be good if other Germany players could find their way to playing for big European sides. Germany didn't become world champions in 1990 by chance - seven of that side were playing in Italy.

Michael Ballack

He added: "First of all we have to qualify, but if we make it through Germany will be one of the favourites based on our commitment and our good organisation which compensate for certain weak spots - that's how we reached the final at EURO 2008."

Looking ahead to the Russia game Ballack said: "We have to play at the same level as we did in the first leg (2-1 to Germany in October 2008) and for the moment we're far off that."
Before Germany face Azerbaijan in their next qualifier on 9 September, they have a friendly against 2010 hosts South Africa on Saturday.

"We have to play two good games to show that our top spot ahead of Russia is justified," added the Germany captain, who went on to regret that none of his team-mates played for other major European sides.

"It would be good if other Germany players could find their way to playing for big European sides. Germany didn't become world champions in 1990 by chance - seven of that side were playing in Italy."

fifa 2010 thecup2010 Fifa world cup 2010 tarek el hewehi fifa 2010

Germany must recapture form

Germany coach Joachim Loew acknowledged that his side have suffered a drop in form since their UEFA Euro 2008 final defeat to Spain, as the Germans look to make sure of their place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ next summer

Germany take on South Africa, who will host the competition, in a friendly next Saturday, before facing Azerbaijan in a Group 4 qualifier on 9 September, but Loew says his team is weaker than in the past

"We have not always exploited our potential in recent games like I had imagined we would," Loew said, with his side fourth in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking behind Brazil, Spain and the Netherlands.

"We have not always been convincing and we must find the way to recapture our form. This year we have not dominated our opponents; that has been one of our weak points.
"We must work to make sure the opposition is constantly under pressure and are forced into errors," Loew said.

Since losing the UEFA Euro 2008 final to Spain in June of last year, Germany suffered rare consecutive home defeats over the winter when England won 2-1 last November in Berlin, followed by a shock 1-0 defeat to Norway in February.

Since then, unconvincing wins over Wales and Azerbaijan, plus a 1-1 draw with China has done little to boost Loew's confidence, with his side facing Russia in Moscow in October where victory would take his team to South Africa 2010.

Germany top Group 4 with a four-point lead over Russia, who have a game in hand and Loew insists his aim is to win the group to claim a guaranteed place in South Africa.
But Loew acknowledges that it has been hard to keep his side at the same level they reached last summer on their way to the UEFA Euro 2008 final.

"It is not easy to stay at the same level for several years, but I am sure we will reach those levels again and our supporters enthusiasm will return," said Loew, who took over as Germany coach in July 2006.






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Old foes in Diego's sights fifa 2010

Diego Armando Maradona's career in the game has been intertwined with that of Argentina's fiercest footballing rivals: Brazil. From his red card against the Auriverde at the 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain™ through the eternal debate over Pele and his claims to being the world's best, to the wonderful run and pass which helped win a memorable encounter at Italy 1990, El Diez and A Seleção have shared decisive moments aplenty.


The latest chapter in the Albiceleste icon's own Brazilian story is set to be written on 5 September, when he guides his Argentina charges in his first clásico as coach: a game that could prove vital on the road to South Africa 2010. As the day of the match looms large, Maradona took time out to speak to FIFA.com about opposite number Dunga, Brazil's strengths and some of the fiercest duels between the two nations during his playing career.

FIFA.com: Diego, another huge clash with Brazil is fast approaching. How would you explain the rivalry between the two countries to somebody not from either nation? Diego Maradona: They're the ones who play the joyous and attractive football, while we're known for our gutsiness and having very good players. I'd say that neither is better than the other - there we both are, level-pegging. You have to remember that both countries supply so many players to world football.

Can you compare it to any other game?It's a South American derby which compares to the final of the Champions League or European Championship. That said, neither side does the other any favours. If they say Kaka won't play then we don't believe them, and if we say Messi will miss out, Dunga won't believe us - that's how it works. You get nothing for free.

What do you remember about your red card against Brazil at Spain 1982?To be honest, that kick in the 82 tournament was meant for Falcao, not Batista. After they made it 3-1 he (Falcao) started to toy with us, knocking the ball around and showing off, and I didn't like it. I got riled up and kicked out but when I saw it was Batista on the floor I said to him, 'Oh no! That wasn't meant for you!'

What matters is that when the people voted, he came second behind me. Nobody can take that away from me.
Maradona on his rivalry with Pele

Was he ok with that?Yes, of course. We became good friends later on because he went to join Lazio and we lived close by. Every time there was an awards ceremony or something we'd sit together and chat loads. I'd always say to him, 'Look, that kick wasn't for you. I swear I saw you and thought you were Falcao.' We'd have a good laugh because he used to say that Falcao was fair-haired and they didn't look anything like each other. And he's right, but I explained to him that I couldn't see anything because of the red mist!
So did your part in Claudio Caniggia's winning goal at Italy 1990 feel a bit like revenge?It was marvellous. Brazil had a great team and they had us on the back foot the entire game, but the one chance I had I undid them. I beat Alemao and Dunga for pace, then got my body between him and the ball and stopped him bundling me over. And when I ran out of room I played a through-ball with my right for a bolt of lightning called [Claudio] Caniggia who had raced past me. I played the ball with my right and it went through the legs of (Brazil defender) Ricardo Rocha, who caught me with a sliding tackle.

And then came Caniggia's finish...That's it. I was still on the floor watching as Cani took on [Claudio] Taffarel. And I was thinking 'shoot, shoot, please shoot!' but he just kept on dribbling and dribbling. Then he swerved round him and shot, and when the keeper moved out the way I looked towards the goal and saw the net rippling. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.
You have, on occasion, given Caniggia some friendly stick about his less-than-enthusiastic celebration, isn't that right?It's unbelievable, I wanted to reach up and embrace the heavens! But Caniggia just did this, this movement (Maradona raises his hand in the air). That was typical of him, he did the same against Italy. It was crazy.

There's a constant debate between Brazilians and Argentinians over whether Pele or you is the world's best ever player. Is it possible to make a comparison given you played in completely different eras?Do you know what? I played in European football for ten years while Pele played in South America. Yes he won World Cups and everything, but playing in Europe is something else entirely. Not that that makes me much better than him or anything like that. When I played, the man-markers in Spanish and Italian football were like hunting dogs. They never left me alone.

Pele had Coutinho and Rivelino, who for me is one of the best ever, alongside him. And then there was Jairzinho, Clodoaldo, Gerson and Tostao. Those guys were brilliant. Oh well, what matters is that when the people voted, he came second behind me. Nobody can take that away from me. And there was another vote in Brazil in which he came second behind Ayrton Senna. He needs to stop coming second!

Staying on the Brazilian national team. How did you rate their performance at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009?They played very well. I think they struggled to find a solution on the left flank, where they tried Kleber, [Andre] Santos and even Dani Alves. But Felipe Melo was on top form, as was Luis Fabiano and Kaka. Maicon's like a tractor while every time Robinho attacks with the ball at his feet he's looking to score. They're a very tough team. They've got great centre-backs and the best keeper in the world, in my humble opinion.

Gone are the days when Brazilian keepers would let in shots that weren't even on target. In Julio Cesar they've got the best around, who's proven that at Inter and with the national team. It's a solid side though you can get at them. But let me make it clear: we're going to go for the win.
If you could have one of the Brazilians in your team, which would you choose? From this national side? I'd like to have Kaka. He can turn a game for you.

And which Argentinian do you think the Brazilians would like? They'd love to have [Lionel] Messi, I'm sure of it.

How did you normally do against Dunga as a player?I did well. The thing is that Dunga, when he was a player, wanted to be the Sheriff of the pitch. There he was with those huge legs and he wanted to hog half the pitch. And if you didn't close him down then he'd want to take over, he wanted to boss the midfield. That's why I mention that Caniggia goal in Italy, because he stuck out a leg to try and bring me down but I saw him coming. He didn't get the ball or me. But to be honest we've been getting on well recently.

And finally, would you care to predict the result of 5 September's game?No, I'm not one for guessing results. But what I will say is that this game is vital for our qualifying hopes.

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Loftus Versfeld Stadium

South Africa 2010 Stadiums

In the city of Tshwane (Pretoria), Loftus Versfeld is situated 5 km from the city centre. To qualify for selection as a first and second round venue the floodlights, sound system and scoreboard at Loftus Versfeld were upgraded and designated media areas were constructed in the lower level of the west stand. Loftus is the homeground of the Sundowns Football Club, one of South Africa’s premiere professional clubs. Since 1977 Loftus Versfeld has undergone many renovations and its four major stands have been completely rebuilt.

Matches and Dates:

• Sunday, 13 June 2010 - Group D, first-round

• Tuesday, 15 June 2010 - Group A, first-round

• Friday, 18 June 2010 - Group E, first-round

• Wednesday, 23 June 2010 - Group C, first-round

• Friday, 25 June 2010 - Group H, first-round

• Tuesday, 29 June 2010 - Round of 16

Loftus boasts the country's finest corporate hospitality facilities and will only have to undergo minimal upgrades in order to meet FIFA's stringent requirements for the 2010 FIFA™ World Cup in South Africa.

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