Oh yeah!
Of course I really sat down to write about the Socceroos vs Qatar game. I don’t have much to say about it, but I’m pretty high on the win and need to say the little I do.
Over at the World Game site the headline is, “Socceroos do it easy.” It’s an understandable headline and this is not a dig, but upon consideration it’s not entirely accurate.
They didn’t look like they were ‘doing it easy’ in the first half. They played like they were playing Brazil in a grand final. It was very mobile and creative, but the important observation is that they did not take Qatar for granted. They played like they could lose if they didn’t give every single thing.
Whilst the less inspiring second half performance was no doubt the result of jet lag and exhaustion kicking in, and some tactical adjustment from Qatar, it could easily be a picture of what things might look like if the Socceroos started the game like it was going to be easy.
If both teams played a game out in the manner of the second half, either team could get the points. That’s why, quite aside from the China and Iraq games, which are much harder even on paper, we have to treat Qatar with exactly the same respect the second time. This time they had the support of the media and the commentariat in developing this respect. Next time, after the “Socceroos (doing) it easy,” it is going to be a greater spiritual challenge. Verbeek will have to lead in this though, and I think he is too clever to be as arrogant as Arnold was before the Asia Cup.
Only other thing is about the announcement by Moore that this was his last game for Australia. I say, “Nooooooooo!!!!”
Now mate… maaaaate, your country needs ya buddy. You’re good – up there with the best in central defense. It’s an important position mate. Goals get conceded there and games get lost. If you’re not getting enough games, go do a bit of marquee work in Europe or somewhere in the off-season. I’m sure something could be organised. But you are also one of the very few who have this wonderful advantage of actually living in Asia. Ok, close to Asia. I don’t want to argue about geography. We’re gonna need ya.
But sleep on it. Help the Roar trash Sydney on Friday, then play the A-League Grand Final. Have a rest for a couple of weeks, then get back to us. Please mate?
Friday… ah Friday. Can the universe deliver a sweet hat trick of wins for the week? Of hat tricks, it would be sweet indeed. Go the bloody Roar.
World Cup 2010
Since the Qatar game the other night, Australia has entered the fray of the 2010 World Cup, and I’ve had some fun checking out how the competition is going so far. This is just some random notes.
Of 201 teams who officially began (or are yet to begin) the qualifiers, 31 have already been knocked out.
In October and November last year a preliminary knock out round in Africa claimed Comoros, Guinea-Bissau and Somalia. The rest of the federation has been drawn in 12 groups of four, to begin the round on the 30 May with Cameroon vs Cape Verde Islands and other games. They play for 5 places in the finals, including South Africa which has it’s place as host guaranteed.
New Zealand has all but won Oceania but definitely out in that Federation are American Samoa (remember them), Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Samoa, Tonga and Solomon Islands. On 23 June New Zealand will most likely defeat Fiji bringing them to 12 points and claiming the Oceania 0.5 chance, knocking out Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Then they’ll have to wait for the Asian Federation to get sorted before they can play off Asia’s number 5. Oh what delicious irony if they have to play Australia.
A lot of teams were knocked out in Asia before we got to play, seeded as we were in the third round of play-offs. They are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Macau, India, Vietnam, Palestine, Nepal, Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, East Timor, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Yemen, Tajikistan, Indonesia and Hong Kong. The remainder are in five groups of four, playing for our 4.5 places.
Europe is divided into nine groups of six and their opening match on 6 September is between Albania and Sweden. Europe is playing off for a whopping 13 places in the finals.
Games have already been played in the North, Central America and Caribbean Federation, but teams will not start dropping out until 26 March, when Dominic and Barbados play their second home-and-away to decide who will play off against the USA (good luck to either of them) along with a few other parallel games between minnow hopefuls. They go for 3.5 places in the finals,
South America may be one of the top two Federations but it is the smallest in numbers. They are one big home-and-away group of 10. Everyone’s already played 4 games but there’s a long way to go. Paraguay is on top with 10 points and Bolivia is trailing on one. The next games are on 14 June, with Argentina (on 9 points) vs Ecuador (3), Uruguay (4) vs Venezuela (6), Peru (2) vs Columbia (8), Paraguay (10) vs Brazil (8) and Bolivia (1) vs Chile (4). They are playing off for 4.5 places in the final, the 5th having to play off against the 4th from Africa.
I intend to maintain at least a watching brief of this meta-competition, and will no doubt stream a few of the games, and more as the stakes in the big federations heat up. I do this with a globe on my desk. Really, this game is cool.
However sparsely, I intend to follow an entire World Cup for the first time.
Salas rolling back the years
Known across the world for its excellent wines and stunning Pacific coastline, to name but two of its many attractions, Chile has also produced a host of fine footballers in recent decades – with Marcelo Salas arguably the pick of the bunch. After a lengthy spell away, El Matador is back and aiming to fire La Roja to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
For many observers, Salas is the last of a golden generation of South American goalscorers left at the very highest level, with Ecuador’s Agustin Delgado, Argentinian poacher extraordinaire Gabriel Batistuta, Paraguay’s Jose Cardozo and Brazilian phenomenon Ronaldo all either retired or out of the international picture. Salas himself had called time on his Chile career, only changing his mind a few short months ago. La Roja fans are grateful that he did, as the veteran marksman grabbed a brace in the recent 2-2 draw against Uruguay, the Chileans’ first ever point in Montevideo.
Golden touch still intactHaving been plagued by injury ever since his return from European football, the former River Plate and current Universidad de Chile striker has endured more lows than highs in recent years. One of these low points even led to him abandoning the game for six long months, after a fall-out with the previous management at Universidad. However, the appointment of Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa as Chile supremo appears to have turned the situation on its head. After more than two years away from the national team, the Temuco-born front-runner has returned to lend much-needed experience to a youthful squad.
“I’m not the one who’s going to unearth the footballing ability of a player like Marcelo. We’re hoping he’s able to bring all his quality to bear on the pitch as well as his leadership skills off it,” said El Loco Bielsa when announcing Salas’ original call-up.
The gamble has certainly paid off. Chilean fans had all but given up hope of seeing Salas’ trademark celebration again in their red jersey, yet five games into his comeback there he was, kneeling on the turf of Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario, his finger raised in triumph towards the heavens. His first goal against Uruguay ended an international drought that went all the way back to 4 June 2005 and a 3-1 win over Bolivia in Germany 2006 qualifying.
“You never know what the future will hold, what matters at the moment is that Chile have picked up a point where they’d never done so before. On a personal note I’m very pleased to have contributed and to have scored again in these colours,” said the 32-year-old shortly after finding the net with a full-length diving header and a coolly taken spot-kick. La Roja were unable to build on that performance in their next game, however, slumping to a comprehensive 3-0 home defeat by Paraguay in Santiago’s Estadio Nacional.
SupportSouth Africa 2010 may still be a long way off, but many Chilean fans remain hopeful that Salas can guide them safely through the pitfalls of South American qualifying. If proof were needed, a quick look at the messages of support received by FIFA.com from every corner of the Andean nation should dispel any doubts.
” El Matador, you’re the greatest, we never lost faith in you!” roared SEBACHILE after the Uruguay match, jmarquez adding that Salas is “sharper than ever. Keep it going Chile!”
The country’s media was also quick to heap praise on the highest goalscorer in the history of the national team. La Tercera led with the claim that Salas “rewrote the history books”, while El Mercurio dubbed him a “first-class veteran”. And what does the man himself make of all this? “I always felt very close to the public, even though that’s not why I did my job. I’m always grateful for the support and I hope to continue to give more reasons for celebration in order to help this team grow and make all us Chileans happy.” In the case of Marcelo Salas, it seems the old saying is true: form is temporary, class is permanent.
Soccer in South Africa
Brad Morgan
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Football – or soccer, as we call it – is the most widely played sport in South Africa, with its traditional support base in the black community. For many South Africans the country’s proudest sporting moment came when we won the African Nations Cup on home turf in 1996.
Soccer is intensely followed, and the quality of the local game keeps improving – as demonstrated by the increasing number of South African players-in-exile among the glamorous European clubs.
Local teams, organised in a national league plus a plethora of knock-out cups, are followed with passion by paint-daubed, costumed, whistling and cheering fans. Mercifully, the country has been spared the spectre of football hooliganism.
There’s probably no quicker way to “break the ice” with the South African man on the street than to demonstrate some knowledge of local soccer. To help you improve your conversational skills, here’s a crash course on the country’s most important teams and competitions.
Bafana Bafana
Banyana Banyana
Glamour clubs
Premier Soccer League
Knockout competitions
First Division
BAFANA BAFANA
One of the first gifts that democracy brought South Africa was its first truly representative national soccer team.
In 1992, the united South African team came into being, playing Cameroon in its first match in Durban on 9 July. It was a triumphant occasion for the side that came to be known as Bafana Bafana – “The Boys” – as they edged the West African powerhouse by a goal to nil.
However, the win concealed the negative effect that apartheid-enforced isolation had had on local soccer. This lack of international experience showed as South Africa lost four matches in a row – to Cameroon, Zambia, Nigeria and Zambia – in failing to qualify for the 1994 African Nations Cup.
African champions
When South Africa hosted the 1996 African Nations Cup, however, South Africa proved they belonged in the finals by defeating Tunisia 2-0 in the final. It was during the team’s run to the title that its nickname, “Bafana Bafana”, became known around the world.
Nelson Mandela leads the celebrations as Neil Tovey lifts the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations.
Shortly after being crowned African champions, Bafana Bafana took on world champions Brazil in Johannesburg. Buoyed by a fearless home crowd, the South Africans went two goals up before the Brazilians fought back to win the match 3-2.
Two World Cups
Bafana Bafana reached another milestone in 1997 when they qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time. In France the following year, South Africa lost to the hosts – who went on to win the Jules Rimet Trophy – before drawing with Denmark and Saudi Arabia.
In the same year, Bafana Bafana appeared in their second African Nations Cup, making it through to the final where they lost 2-0 to Egypt.
In 1999, Bafana Bafana beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 on aggregate to lift the Afro-Asian Trophy. The side also recorded its first win over European opposition, beating Sweden in Pretoria by a goal to nil.
In 2000, Bafana Bafana reached the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup, where they were beaten by Nigeria. The South Africans went on to finish third, defeating Tunisia on penalties after playing to a 2-2 draw.
It was at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, however, that Bafana Bafana showed their true potential. While they failed to progress beyond the first round, their five goals scored in one win, one draw and a thrilling 3-2 loss against Spain showed the world that South Africa belonged on football’s biggest stage.
Big drop-off
South Africa lost to fired-up hosts Mali in the quarterfinals of the 2002 African Nations Cup.
In 2003, however, there was a big drop-off in Bafana Bafana’s performances, and they failed to progress beyond the first round of the 2004 African Nations Cup after losing four-nil to Nigeria.
The slide continued in 2005, and South Africa’s national team hit an all-time low when they were eliminated in the first round of the 2006 African Nations Cup after being beaten in all three group matches and failing to score a goal.
Big-name coach
Having won the right to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the South African Football Association went after a big-name coach to ensure that the country’s team, guaranteed a place in the event, does not disappoint its fans.
Carlos Alberto Parreira, Brazil’s 1994 World Cup winning coach, was tasked with getting the national team back on track.
Parreira achieved his first goal when South Africa qualified for the 2008 African Nations Cup in Ghana. Once more, the team bowed out after the first round of the continental championship, but there were some promising signs after their disastrous campaign in Egypt in 2006.
South Africa’s group was the most tightly contested in the tournament, with four of the six matches ending in draws; so it was that one loss for Bafana Bafana was enough to see them eliminated.
After Bafana Bafana’s best result under Parreira, a stylish 3-0 defeat of Paraguay in Pretoria in March, the Brazilian abruptly resigned in April 2008, returning home to support his wife, who had undergone surgery for cancer.
Joel Santana
His replacement was another Brazilian, recommended by Parreira: Joel Santana. A man with an excellent record in Brazilian club football, Santana lacks international experience, but his new-look Bafana squad are showing signs of real promise.
They were desperately unlucky to lose 1-0 to Nigeria in their final qualifying match for the 2010 African Cup of Nations, played in September 2008. That result means that, for the first since 1996, South Africa will not contest the African Nations Cup in 2010.
Since then, however, Bafana have secured four friendly international victories against Cameroon, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea and Malawi.
The 3-2 win over Cameroon in November 2008 was South Africa’s best of the year, not only because of the Indomitable Lions’ high ranking (14th in the world, 1st in Africa), but also because of the style of football played by Santana’s charges.
It’s that kind of form that Bafana Bafana will have to take with them into the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup and 2010 Fifa World Cup, if they are to measure up to the high expectations of their fans.
BANYANA BANYANA
South Africa’s senior women’s team, Banyana Banyana – “The Girls” – have traditionally been the strongest team in southern Africa and one of the best in Africa.
There is, however, one hurdle that Banyana have yet to overcome: Nigeria. Had it not been for the West African powerhouse, South Africa’s women would have laid claim to the number one ranking in Africa a number of times in recent years.
Banyana Banyana were crowned Cosafa (Confederation of Southern African Football Associations) champions in 2002 and 2006. In continental competition, the team finished runner-up to Nigeria at the CAF African Women’s Championship in 2000, and second at the All Africa Games in 2003 and 2007.
GLAMOUR CLUBS
Kaizer Chiefs
South Africa’s favourite soccer club never seems to play an away match. “The Amakhozi” often draw more supporters at away games than their opposition.
Founded in 1970 by Kaizer Motaung – who made his name in the United States when the American league was drawing such superstars as Pele, Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer – Kaizer Chiefs are one of South Africa’s most successful teams.
Twice the winners of South Africa’s Premier Soccer League since its launch in 1997, Chiefs secured their first African title in 2002 when they won the Cup Winners Cup – renamed after Nelson Mandela – by defeating Inter Luanda of Angola in the final.
Orlando Pirates
Formed in 1937, Orlando Pirates has a support base extending across the country’s borders.
Two-time winners of SA’s Premier Soccer League since its launch in 1997, “The Buccaneers” are the only South African team so far to have won Africa’s premier club competition, the Champions League, a feat they achieved in 1995.
Like Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates seldom are disadvantaged when they play away from home, with fanatical supporters spread throughout South Africa.
The fierce traditional rivalry between Pirates and Chiefs makes for one of the biggest derby matches in the world. In November 2007, on the day preceding the 2010 Fifa World Cup draw in Durban, the Chiefs-Pirates derby was broadcast throughout Africa and 43 European countries, a first for South African football.
Mamelodi Sundowns
While Chiefs and Pirates have long battled for the title of South Africa’s most popular club, a third outfit has emerged as a challenger for the position: Mamelodi Sundowns.
Backed by mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, a billionaire, “The Brazilians” have the finances to ensure a squad with depth and quality. The club is often compared to England’s Chelsea, which rose to prominence partly through the backing of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Sundowns have been the most successful team since the formation of the Premier Soccer League in 1997, winning the title on five occasions.
PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
South Africa’s top soccer league, featuring the country’s best 16 clubs, came into being in 1997.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has helped raise the standard of club football in South Africa, providing the sport with better media coverage and much-improved revenue through strong sponsorship deals. It has also provided a platform for local players to make their mark and catch the eye of overseas clubs.
Sponsorship boom
In June 2007, the PSL pulled off an astounding coup when it signed a R1.6-billion broadcast deal with SuperSport International.
In August 2007, corporate heavyweights South African Breweries (SAB) and Absa Bank announced a joint sponsorship of more than R500-million over the next five years for South African football. SAB is behind Bafana Bafana, while Absa sponsors the PSL’s Premier Division.
In February 2008, Nedbank announced that it would be putting up R20-million in prize money for the Nedbank Cup knockout competition as part of a five-year, R400-million sponsorship of the local game.
And in August 2008, cellular giant MTN committed the same amount – R400-million over five years – to the local game, while taking over the title sponsorship of the Top 8 knockout tournament.
These deals combined have made South Africa’s Premier Soccer League the seventh biggest earner of sponsorship revenue among football leagues worldwide.
Ups and downs
Manning Rangers, coached by Gordon Igesund, stunned all and sundry by winning the inaugural PSL title ahead of a number of more fancied opponents in 1997. Then, from 1998 to 2000, Mamelodi Sundowns pulled off a hat-trick of titles.
In 2001, Igesund moved to Orlando Pirates and helped “The Buccaneers” secure the title. The following season he repeated the trick with Cape Town-based Santos.
Pirates won the league for the second time in 2003, followed by arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in 2004 and 2005.
In 2006, Igesund was appointed manager of Sundowns and was quickly spinning his magic once more, winning a fifth title for “The Brazilians” and becoming the first coach to win the championship with four different clubs.
That didn’t prevent Igesund from getting the sack in February 2008, however, following a poor run of results. When it comes to passionate fans, high stakes and heated debates, South Africa’s Premier Soccer League is up there with the best of them!
In May 2008, SuperSport’s support of the game, through both television broadcasting and sponsorship, was rewarded when SuperSport United captured the PSL title for the first time.Premier Soccer League champions:
2008/09: SuperSport United
2007/08: SuperSport United
2006/07: Mamelodi Sundowns
2005/06: Mamelodi Sundowns
2004/05: Kaizer Chiefs
2003/04: Kaizer Chiefs
2002/03: Orlando Pirates
2001/02: Santos
2000/01: Orlando Pirates
1999/00: Mamelodi Sundowns
1998/99: Mamelodi Sundowns
1997/98: Mamelodi Sundowns
1996/97: Manning Rangers
KNOCKOUT COMPETITIONS
A number of knockout competitions are played alongside the league fixtures in South African soccer.
Nedbank Cup
A knockout competition modelled on England’s famous FA Cup, giving lower league teams the chance to do battle with premier league clubs, has been in existence since 1978, under various names: the Mainstay Cup (1978-1987), Bobsave Superbowl (1988-2002), Absa Cup (2003-07) and, from 2008, the Nedbank Cup.
With a total prize purse of R19.3-million, including R6-million for the winners, R2.5-million for the runners-up and R1-million for the losing semi-finalists, the Nedbank Cup is the most lucrative domestic soccer competition in Africa.Cup champions:
2009: Moroka Swallows
2008: Mamelodi Sundowns
2007: Ajax Cape Town
2006: Kaizer Chiefs
2005: SuperSport United
2004: Moroka Swallows
2003: Santos
2002: not played
2001: Santos
2000: Kaizer Chiefs
1999: SuperSport United
1998: Mamelodi Sundowns
1997: not played
1996: Orlando Pirates
1995: Cape Town Spurs
1994: Vaal Professionals
1993: Witbank Aces
1992: Kaizer Chiefs
1991: Moroka Swallows
1990: Jomo Cosmos
1989: Moroka Swallows
1988: Orlando Pirates
1987: Kaizer Chiefs
1986: Sundowns
1985: Bloemfontein Celtic
1984: Kaizer Chiefs
1983: Moroka Swallows
1982: Kaizer Chiefs
1981: Kaizer Chiefs
1980: Orlando Pirates
1979: Kaizer Chiefs
1978: Wits University
MTN 8
The MTN 8 – formerly the Top 8 and Supa 8 – is contested at the beginning of each Premier Soccer League season by the top eight finishers of the previous season.
Now known as the MTN 8 Knockout, after cellular operator MTN took over the title sponsorship, the tournament boasts a R8-million winner-takes-all prize – while guaranteeing each team R800 000 simply for participating.Top 8 champions:
2008: Kaizer Chiefs
2007: Mamelodi Sundowns
2006: Kaizer Chiefs
2005: Bloemfontein Celtic
2004: SuperSport United
2003: Jomo Cosmos
2002: Santos
2001: Kaizer Chiefs
2000: Orlando Pirates
1996: Orlando Pirates
1995: Wits University
1994: Kaizer Chiefs
1993: Orlando Pirates
1992: Kaizer Chiefs
1991: Kaizer Chiefs
1990: Mamelodi Sundowns
1989: Kaizer Chiefs
1988: Mamelodi Sundowns
1987: Kaizer Chiefs
1986: Arcadia
1985: Kaizer Chiefs
1984: Wits University
1983: Orlando Pirates
1982: Kaizer Chiefs
1981: Kaizer Chiefs
1980: Witbank Black Aces
1979: Moroka Swallows
1978: Orlando Pirates
1977: Kaizer Chiefs
1976: Kaizer Chiefs
1975: Moroka Swallows
1974: Kaizer Chiefs
1973: Orlando Pirates
1972: Orlando Pirates
Telkom Knockout
The Telkom Knockout competition, which features all 16 Premier Soccer League teams on a knockout basis, is African football’s second most lucrative domestic competition after the Nedbank Cup.
The competition was first held in 1992 and has existed under a number of different names, including the Coca-Cola Cup and the Rothmans Cup.
Telkom became the new sponsors in 2006, and in 2007 paid out R14.2-million in prize money, including R4.25-million to the winners.Cup champions:
2008: Ajax Cape Town
2007: Kaizer Chiefs
2006: Silver Stars
2005: Jomo Cosmos
2004: Kaizer Chiefs
2003: Kaizer Chiefs
2002: Jomo Cosmos
2001: Kaizer Chiefs
2000: Ajax Cape Town
1999: Sundowns
1998: Kaizer Chiefs
1997: Kaizer Chiefs
1996: Umtata Bucks
1995: Wits University
1994: Qwa Qwa Stars
1993: Umtata Bucks
1992: Amazulu
FIRST DIVISION
Below the Premier Soccer League, South African football’s First Division is divided into two – the Inland Stream and the Coastal Stream – with each stream made up of eight clubs.
At the end of each season, the winners of the two streams meet in a final, with a place in the Premier Soccer League at stake (replacing the team that finished last in the PSL). The second-placed team, however, still has a shot at making it into the PSL.
That club takes on the two second-placed finishers from the First Division, as well as the team that finished second-last in the PSL, in a mini-tournament, with the winner earning a place in the top league.
South Africa 2010: Absent Messi and Ronaldo?
Now that would be a tragedy. And yet, it seems quite likely.
The New York Times’ Rob Hughes writes about the tremendous pressure on both Messi and Ronaldo to win their next two games. Messi’s Argentina play Brazil (as Shourin has so carefully noted here) followed by Paraguay. Ronaldo’s Portugal have to play Denmark followed immediately by Hungary.
The prospects of both teams missing the World Cup seem rather high. And in my book, it’s a coaching issue on both fronts.
After Portugal lost Scolari things went steadily downhill.
And Argentina? What a tragedy it will be if Argentina don’t make it. And not for lack of talent.
Will Maradona end his coaching career in disgrace? Tune in tomorrow to find out.
