African Cup of Nations

I am glad that the African Cup of Nations is to go ahead, calls for the tournament to be abandoned were knee jerk and ill advised, apart from the obvious mantra of not letting the terrorists win, this would have sent a message that major sports events can be disrupted and even be forced to cancel, this would have without  doubt encouraged further attacks.

I was amazed at the call though from the same people calling for this tournament to be cancelled saying the World Cup, due to start in 6 Months in South Africa should also be abandoned because of the Terrorist threat.

I don’t think anyone including the organisers believes that this will be a crime free World Cup after all South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, street crime is so rife that passers by don’t even bother to stop to watch muggings, Motorists in South Africa very rarely stop at traffic lights because to do so invites car jacking.

But to link South Africa to a terrorist threat is absurd, on the World terrorist stage South Africa does not even register, it would be like finding a bomb on a flight to London and then cancelling all events across England.

I’m sure that security will be further strengthened for the the World Cup as it has now for the  African Cup of Nations, so no more talk of giving into the Terrorist scum and hope for two great tournaments.

DurdensView Tags: African Cup of Nations, South Africa, World Cup

Maradona

Argentina have scraped through to the World cup finals in South Africa next year, a late winner from Mario Bolatti gave the Argies a crucial 1-0 victory at Uruguay to finish fourth in the South American table and clinch an automatic qualifying spot.

A lot of British fans were hoping that Argentina would not qualify so that the competition would not be as great and England’s chance’s would improve, I don’t feel like that, the World cup is the greatest sporting spectacle in the world and teams like Argentina missing out devalue it.

I also happen to believe that Maradona will come good, his critics and he has many of them do not feel he is up to it, but for all his failings he has qualified, it cant be easy managing a national squad it’s not like day to day management where you get to spend all your time with your players, at best at international level you may get the players together for a fortnight in one go if your lucky, but more often than not it’s just for a few days.

As a player Diego Maradona had no equal, for  me he stands head and shoulders above any other footballer past or present, though there are current pretenders to his crown like Lionel Messi and Kaka even they fall a long way short of the great man, anyone who has followed Maradona’s career and saw him at the 1986 World cup will agree with my sentiments. That year Maradona was so awesome that he won it on his own.

No pundits give Maradona and Argentina a chance for the World cup next year, I am going to go against popular opinion and say that I think Maradona has one more  performance up his sleeve and think that the 10/1 on offer for them to lift the trophy is good value. Certainly better value than the measly 7/1 offered about England’s chances.

DurdensView Tags: Diego Maradona, Messi, Kaka

Thierry Henry-Cheat

Ireland miss out on going to the World cup finals after Thierry Henry got away with the most blatant handball you can imagine, Henry admits it was a handball and agrees the goal should not have stood, but because of the rules as they are the result will stand.

This is not good enough I am not Irish and have no Irish connection but am fuming mad at this, the Irish players were within minutes of being able to play at a World cup and that was snatched away, nothing will be done and after a few days everyone will forget about it except for the Irish of course.

Fifa did not want Ireland and their likes anywhere near South Africa, anyway. That was made quite clear when, at the last moment, the sport’s world governing body announced that the draw for the play-offs would be seeded, meaning that the “bigger” nations could not be drawn against each other.

Having fought through ten matches unbeaten in group eight, in which they finished runners-up to Italy, Ireland deserved to be there, an  excuse being made for the decision is that “the referee and linesman did not have a clear view and missed it” but that is not good enough, video technology is available and has been for years but Fifa or more specifically their President Michel Platini does not want it, God only knows why.

With Video technology in a matter of seconds the fourth official would have reported a blatant handball in fact Henry actually handled it twice, the goal would not have stood and Ireland would be on their way to South Africa.

Decisions like this happen every week in our Premier League and yet still we do nothing, Platini needs to be over ruled, it’s time our premier league got tough, I’m not sure how we can threaten Fifa but I’m sure Fifa need us more than we need them, maybe its time we started to talk about a alternate Governing body other sports have two body’s Darts and wrestling for example Boxing has 5 .

Maybe my anger is making me blow hot air and the two body solution is nonsense, but I believe something needs to be done, it’s possible next years World cup final could be settled on a decision like last night and that wont do.

DurdensView Tags: Thierry Henry, World cup, Cheat

David Beckham Achilles Injury

As sad as it is on a personal level for David Beckham to be missing a World cup because of his torn Achilles, and he really does have my sympathy the outpouring of doom and gloom his absence will have on our chances is getting to ridiculous proportions.

Had Beckham been picked for the final 23, he would have at best played a cameo part, limited to 15/20 minutes here and there like he is used by his current club, if he is unable to hold down 90 minutes at club level he would not be able to either pitted against the best players in the World.

This has now released Fabio Capello from pressure to include Beckham, his inclusion would have been  from a commercial point of view no doubt nudged by the FA, I am fed up hearing the expression “ambassador” regarding Beckham and England, once the finals start it doesn’t matter what brand Beckham is doing, it’s all about ability on the pitch, and sadly Beckham does not cut the mustard at that level anymore,  I would concede in a dead ball situation Beckham is still amongst the best in the world but the modern game does not allow for the luxury of having a player on the pitch just for free kicks and corners.

So thank you David for your contributions to England, and by the way they haven’t all been positive contributions, lets not forget sent of in 1998 against Argentina, gave the fans the finger in 2000 against Italy, missed a penalty against Portugal in 2004.

But I forgive him him all those for that wonderful free kick against Greece in 2001 to get England to the World cup finals in 2002.

So no more talk about Beckham and the World cup now, lets concentrate on the players that are going.

DurdensView Tags: David Beckham

Vuvuzela

What a shame that the World cup though it isn’t firing on all cylinders yet is being ruined by the “Vuvuzela” it’s a kind of trumpet that emits an irritating sound when blown, apparently very popular in Africa.

This though it may be acceptable in Africa is not elsewhere and is ruining the premier football tournament for everyone else, there is a simple solution, cancel out crowd noise and let the viewer  only hear the commentary. Problem solved.

It has also been suggested that the games have been below par because the players are being put of by this sound to, I would not be surprised if this were true.

By the way I stick by my pre tournament tip that Argentina will win the tournament, so called favourites Spain were humbled by Switzerland yesterday and Brazil were very pedestrian in their opening match against the North Koreans, I am sure there are many twists and turns still to come but for now Maradona’s boys look to be the ones, though my heart still says England my brain says otherwise.

DurdensView Tags: Vuvuzela, World Cup. Spain, Argentina, Brazil, England

England

Congratulations to the England football team we are on our way to South Africa, a brilliant performance last night and now they have a real chance of competing , the way the Manager Fabio Capello has them playing they can beat anyone. it’s great that at last we have a manager who picks players on merit rather than reputation, with maybe the possible exception of David Beckham.

I don’t object to his being in the squad as a tool for qualification as long as he does not have long term plans for him after all Beckham will be 35 by the time the finals come around.

We have always had the quality of players in this Country to win a World Cup, but we didn’t always get the mix  or style of play right  Capello has sorted all that out, and with the possibility that the Dutch, Portuguese and Argentineans not even qualifying, and the French team looking so poor I think that England would be in the top 3 of sides that have a chance of winning alongside Spain who will likely be favourites and  Brazil who you can never ignore.

So roll on South Africa and watch the three lions roar.

DurdensView Tags: England, Capello, World Cup

Come On England

What a shambles the qualifying stage has become for England it looks pretty bleak, but a closer examination of what has gone wrong reveals to me that we have really only had one bad result and that was the Algeria game.

I think the problem goes back to when the draw was made, when the opposition was announced it almost looked like a bye for England, after all it was only Algeria and Slovenia to get by for an easy 6 points and maybe 9  and easy qualification.

That’s where I see the problem the England squad have gone into the first stages complacent, not in a competitive mood,  in their minds they were already thinking of the knockout stages, in truth they did not play that badly against the USA who incidentally are only two places behind them in the world rankings.

Nobody really turned up for the Algeria game because they expected to stroll through it what a shock when Algeria started to come at them, even then England should have been able to turn things around but Capello when it mattered failed to inspire with his substitutions, we lacked a plan B.

When it became obvious that we would not get things our own way we should have switched tactics and Capello didn’t, his substitutions were really just like for like, and why on earth did he not throw on Joe Cole I am not his biggest fan but why take him if you are not going to use him.

I see a different England coming out against Slovenia this Wednesday, after all this is the same squad that won nine out of ten qualifying matches they have not become rubbish overnight, now that the pressure is on us to get a result I believe we will, I see a comfy 3-0 maybe 3-1 result and then on to knockouts and who knows.

I still think Argentina will be the eventual champions but what’s life without a dream so COME ON ENGLAND.

DurdensView Tags: Capello, England, World cup

Pasta La Vista

After a relatively slow start the world cup is shaping up nicely, already the last world cups finalists are on the way home and today the pre tournament favourites Spain could be joining them, though I don’t realistically expect Spain to lose to Chile but who knows.

Italy and France deserved what they got both sides performed terribly France with a fractured camp and the Italians with an ageing squad, so its pasta la vista to the Italians and Bonsoir to the frogs.

This opens up the tournament beautifully for Brazil or so it would appear but Brazil have not been firing on all cylinders yet  either,  they have played fantastic football in parts but not nearly consistently enough.

My pre tournament fancy Argentina still look the team to beat though my heart is with England, as expected they got past Slovenia the score flattering the opposition, England were better value than just 1-0 but it made for an exciting final 10 minutes.

If or should I say when England send the Germans packing it will set up a mouth watering clash with Argentina, we have waited a long time to settle the score with Maradonna and his” hand of god goal” 24 years to be exact but July 3rd could be when we get our revenge.

COME ON ENGLAND

DurdensView Tags: Italy, France, Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany

Lets Retire Beckham

David Beckham claims he is worried that England manager Fabio Capello will not pick him in the 23 man squad next year for the World Cup to be held in South Africa.

Well lets see the finals start in June next year, one month before kick of Beckham celebrates his 35th birthday, With the likes of Theo Walcott Shaun Wright Philips or Aaron Lennon around do we need to look to a 35 year old.

If he does make the squad you know it will be a commercial decision and not a footballing one, I hope Capello does not let  the FA bully him into it, Beckham has been a great servant to the English game for lots of years and it still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I remember the  last minute goal against Greece that took us to the European Championships back in 2006.

As good as a footballer Beckham was throughout his career and he was a good player for a lot of years, I have never rated him a truly great player. You couldn’t for example put him up there with the Maradonna’s of this world, but nevertheless he has done a job for us, and his contribution and work rate can never be diminished.

But its time to let the young bloods show what they can do, so lets start now, Capello should leave him out of the starting 11 for the game against Croatia tomorrow night, but by all means have him in the squad and on the bench then maybe he could be used in some capacity, but once we achieve qualification and I believe we will do so tomorrow, then its time to say thanks David but no more.

DurdensView Tags: Beckham, Capello, FA

Gazza

Poor Gazza, it’s tragic to watch Paul Gascoigne self destruct before our eyes but its proving impossible to help him,  numerous spells in rehab and even sectioning have failed to slow his downward spiral.

At this rate he will be dead within a year, at least that is the opinion of  a friend who spent a day with him this week, he started boozing at 11 am and by midnight had reportedly drunk 40 bottles of Stella Artois. Such is his state of mind that he believes he can get back into the England squad for the World cup finals in South Africa next year.

Gascoigne‘s problems seemed to have started when he retired from football he could not cope with the “civilian “ world, football has a discipline that he obviously cannot live without.

From a young age he has been guided by a code of  behaviour rising at a certain time fed a certain diet and had his day mapped out for him, combined with  the physical effort of training, culminating in the adulation of thousands at the weekend chanting his name and singing his praises as they marvelled at his skills.

Women  parties and  more money than he could cope with all these things were in abundance, but when he left the game the hangers on vanished, add to that  an unstable personal life, by now he had married and divorced acrimoniously and was fighting a bitter court battle over a settlement. A combination of all these added to the most important factor, which was no guiding influence, since his early years Paul had always had someone to map out his day and weeks suddenly he was alone.

He coped by hiding behind a false facade built on booze and drugs, he has tried to get help but each time he has slipped back, this latest episode seems to be connected to the death of his “second” father Bobby Robson who died from cancer in July this year, combined with the sad news that his mother has cancer.

I don’t see a good ending here its almost like he does not care if he lives or dies, this draws parallels with George Best who drunk himself into a premature grave, I hope Gascoigne can be saved but my expectations are not high, I would think that unless something dramatic happens this could be his Last chance.

DurdensView Tags: Gazza, Robson, Drink, Drugs, Cancer

Twenty20 cricket

I enjoy a test match as much as the next man but I cant pretend to get as much excitement from cricket as I do Football. But all that could be about to change as I have been watching the excellent Twenty20 Cricket World cup. rather than an 8 hour session as in one day cricket or the marathon 5 days of test cricket Twenty20 is a short sharp burst of cricketing skills lasting about two and a half hours. No time for batsman to feel out bowlers its a mad dash for the winning total. Last nights New Zealand South Africa game went to the last ball with the Kiwi's needing a four of the last ball to win. You cant get much closer than that. As a neutral watching it was top class stuff. The England Pakistan game Last Sunday was even more exciting. This time as a England fan I didn't have the luxury of being neutral. Throw in the added pressure of a loss for England which would have resulted in them missing out on the rest of the tournament and you get an idea of the tension involved. That made it nailbiting stuff. In the event it was a famous victory over Pakistan. Who themselves made it to the next round yesterday with a win over the Netherlands. Nerves let the dutch down after finding themselves needing only 151 runs to cause an upset. I would love for England to win it outright and they have as much chance as any other team. But if I was putting my money down I would back South Africa at 5/2 they are good value. For a small country they consistently produce sportsmen and women capable of challenging at the top level in any sport they participate in. The tournament is at the super 8's stage which is the quarter finals to you and me so if you haven't watched any yet start watching I promise you wont be disappointed.

Garlic is not a perfume

That garlic reeking cheat Thierry Henry in a pathetic attempt to deflect some of the anger towards him over the cheating row has said that he believes in the interest of fair play the game against the Republic of Ireland should be replayed.

Interesting that the frog only suggested this after the games Governing body emphatically stated a replay is impossible as the rules of the game do not allow it, I suppose this two faced behaviour from a Frenchman is to be expected, last season after the Champions league final against Barcelona Henry called the Catalans cheats and said he could never play for a side that cheated, a season later he signed for them.

Eric Cantona has today said if he had been an Irishman he would have hit Henry after the match for his nerve in sitting with a distraught Richard Dunne after the match and trying to comfort him after he himself through cheating had put Ireland out.

I stated in an earlier post that I did not expect anything to come out of this in terms of a replay and it would be forgotten in a couple of days, but there are no signs of the fuss dying down, I hope France get stick between now and the World cup next year and then jeered and booed at every match they play in South Africa, The garlic munchers have in my opinion dropped a massive PR clanger by not insisting the game be replayed in a one of circumstance bypassing the rules, any victory’s they have now in the competition will be hollow and meaningless.

DurdensView Tags: Garlic, Thierry Henry, Cheats

Caps all round

I think its a disgrace that David Beckham is getting his 112th cap this evening by starting for England. Caps are being handed out like sweets. Bobby Moore must be turning over in his grave.It is as obvious as those ridiculous tattoo's that cover his neck that this is a move orchestrated by the FA. England have all but qualified for the world cup finals and tonights minnows Andorra are almost a training match for the three lions. I expect a comfortable win. The problem for the FA is the whole country share my views about qualification and its unlikely England will falter at this late stage. So the problem is attendance with the game also being shown live on ITV they will be lucky to have a half full stadium. This will result in a huge reduction in gate receipts and advertising revenue. For all the talk of Capello being his own man who wouldn't brook any interference in team matters especially selection he turns out to be another puppy dog whom the FA can roll over and tickle anytime it wants. As a England fan I cant wish anything other than a victory tonight. But wouldn't it serve Fabio and the FA right if we got a David and Goliath result tonight.

Vanessa Perroncel

Here we go somehow its been decided that John Terry is to escape  punishment over stabbing his best friend in the back and sleeping with his girlfriend,  today’s papers one tabloid in particular have started to demonise the girlfriend the French Lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel.

It is claimed that she has slept with at least five other Chelsea players as well as the England captain, whether this is true or not we don’t know yet, but it also goes on to say that this happened while she was single each time, and that none of these relationships overlapped,  and that Wayne Bridge was aware of this when he started going out with her, all except the Terry affair that was conducted while she was still with Bridge.

None of this exonerates Terry’s disgraceful behaviour, I am not judging him for cheating on his wife, these things happen he isn’t the first to do it and he wont be the last, and Vanessa is a extremely beautiful woman and you can understand how Terry would have been tempted, But, and its a big but , Wayne Bridge was his best friend and it will leave a bad taste, leaving aside personal feelings how could anyone expect Bridge to line up alongside Terry for England and act as if nothing had happened.

How can the rest of the Squad respect a Captain who would treat a friend and team mate so shabbily, Terry is an arrogant bully who we are led to believe recently is not as well loved at the Bridge as it is made out.

This episode will effect the Squad for the World cup I don’t believe it can be forgotten that easily, Terry should be stripped of the Captaincy, he is not man enough to resign, Capello the England manager comes with a reputation as a non nonsense disciplinarian, now is his chance to prove it.

DurdensView Tags: Vanessa Perroncel, John Terry, Wayne Bridge, Fabio Capello

Lionel Messi Superman

I’m catching my breath after watching the nearest thing to a perfect football team, the side that Pep Guardiola has put together at Barcelona  is phenomenal, and  the Jewel in the crown is the pint sized genius Lionel Messi, the Argentinean is a footballing god. His single handed demolition of Barca wannabees Arsenal was breathtaking to watch.

Alongside Diego Maradona who incidentally is also Argentinean I believe you have the two greatest players that have ever lived, the frightening thing in Messi ’s case is he is only 22 years old, how much better can he become.

There are not enough superlatives around to describe Messi, the man is a superman where football is concerned, and to think that bar serious injury he has around another 10 years in him for us to enjoy,  footballers traditionally do not hit their peak till around age 28/29.

I urge anybody out there who is a betting man to put their money on Argentina to win the World cup, like Maradona who single handed won the 1986 tournament for his country Messi is that influential.

DurdensView Tags: Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona

Didier Drogba Super Injunction

I suspect we have another “Super Injunction” flying around, another of Vanessa Perroncel’s lovers appears to have escaped the media furore, my information is that Didier Drogba has also been playing where he shouldn’t be and yet no mention in the public domain.

my information has been very reliable thus far and I seen no reason to think otherwise on this snippet of news.

Back to Terry though the arrogance of the man is breathtaking, he said in a statement yesterday that he hopes by keeping his head down and working hard (I presume he means not cheating) he hopes to win the Captaincy back for the World cup.

I will be very disappointed if Capello has struck some sort of deal with Terry to mollify the public and has promised the armband back to him after a short period.

Personally I think Capello is more of a man than that but nothing surprises me anymore.

DurdensView Tags: Super Injunctuon, Didier Drogba, John Terry, Fabio Capello

John Terry Pays of Lover

On the face of it, it looks like Vanessa Perroncel the girl at the centre of the Terry sex scandal has had enough of the whole media circus and has decided to not reveal details of her relationship with the former England Captain.

But the reality is that Terry has bought her silence with a payoff in the region of £400,000, this does make me wonder what disgusting secrets Terry is looking to hide.

We already know that he has been unfaithful to his wife (yet again) we also know that he got his lover pregnant and subsequently paid for her abortion, you wonder what else their could be that warrants that kind of payoff, as in these kind of cases it wont stay secret for ever and speculation and innuendo as to what it may be will continue up to the World Cup.

No doubt whatever it is will be further damaging  and hurtful to Terry’s long suffering wife who has allegedly already said she will stand by her man, How desperate is she for the fame and fortune that comes with being his wife that no humiliation is to much to endure.

What a lovely couple they deserve each other.

DurdensView Tags: John Terry, Vanessa Perroncel

John Terry Booed

The big question in football for the last couple of days on radio phone in shows has been whether or not John Terry will be booed at Wembley tonight by the England fans.

I believe the answer is yes he will be absolutely slaughtered by the majority of fans, and deservedly so, before people star saying it will be damaging England’s chances by booing him, I say he himself has already damaged our chances by his behaviour, first by sleeping with his teammates ex Vanessa Perroncel, and then by refusing to apologise.

there are those out there that say this is a personal matter and not a football one and the two should be kept separate, to those I say Rubbish, Terry has brought the position of England captain into disrepute, he has disrespected the role, and cheapened the armband.

It is said that there are up to 5 senior squad players that are against Terry even being in the squad, this can only have a negative effect. Craig Bellamy summed it up brilliantly on a sky TV interview after Man City humbled Chhelse4-2 at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, he said “I have no time for him I know what he is like, everybody in football knows what Terry is like of the field”

Wayne Bridge is totally blameless in this affair, yet he is missing the chance to go to the World Cup because of Terry’s actions, I believe Bridge will regret his decision, and I hope he will change his mind, better still somebody breaks Terry’s leg and puts this whole matter to bed.

How desperate was Terry for sex that he could not turn Vanessa down, we are told all the time how footballers have women throwing themselves at them all the time, Terry’s wife should shoulder some of the blame for her husbands behaviour she obviously has no self respect and by continually forgiving him for his cheating ( at least 10 reported times) she has given him the green light to do as he pleases.

So I hope he is booed loudly and consistently tonight,  it wont affect the result, we should comfortably see of Egypt, in what is only a friendly but maybe Terry might get the message and do the decent thing and pull himself out of the squad for South Africa, but the words decent and Terry don’t mix well.

DurdensView Tags: John Terry, England, wayne Bridge, Vanessa Perroncel

Internet TV

There was growing anger among England supporters last night at being denied the chance to watch Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on television. It’s claimed this is the future for TV watchers picking and choosing what we watch rather than a pre- planned schedule.

But on closer inspection this does not seem a good idea, firstly if you are watching it on your pc/laptop can you be sure of quality, also with certain areas all kinds of problems happen with the download speed if for example lots of people near you access it at the same time, will you be spending large parts of the game watching it buffering.

Secondly will you have the same comfort with  all the family sitting around your laptop/desktop for up to a possible 2 hours which will be the duration of the broadcast.

And finally was this the right game to launch this experiment sure its an England game but it has no importance nothing rests on the result, The Three Lions have already qualified so where’s the excitement, the tension, the nail biting journey England games usually take us on. It’s being advertised at 4.99 if you book in advance and 11.99 .if you book on the day.

Kentaro, the sports marketing company that owns the rights to screen the game claim they expect a million people to watch, if I was a betting man I would guess they will get nowhere near that figure, I will be generous and say I would be surprised if they got a quarter of that, and would go as far as to say it could even be as low as 100,000. we will see on Sunday how good/bad a first attempt this was, my money is on the latter.

DurdensView Tags: Kentaro, England, Internet

Blame labour

A 60 year  old grandfather  died of a heart attack because the paramedic sent to the scene waited outside his house for 16 minutes doing a risk assessment before entering the premises. Roy Adams a chauffeur called for help when he started to suffer chest pains and shortness of breath as he was alone at home he was told  by the operator to leave the front door open so paramedics could have easy access, the first man to arrive at the scene saw the open door and fearing  a burglary in progress would not enter, he then started his risk assessment, by the time this was completed and back up arrived it was to late and Mr Adams died. Now I’m not sure if there is blame to be apportioned here, or was it unavoidable because of the lawless and violent times we live in, but what a world when medics are fearful of entering houses whilst responding to 999 calls. In the last dozen or so years the general fabric of this country has been in decline, since Labour came to power things have gone from bad to worse, under Blair the criminals became a priority over the victims to such an extent that we have no real deterrents anymore. Why would anybody be scared of prison, laptops in cells, satellite TV, three square meals, medical care with no waiting lists. The worst thing Labour done amongst many bad things was to adopt the ridiculous human rights bill in its entirety, because of this bill Blair encouraged by his wife “coincidentally” a highly paid human rights lawyer sold this country down the river. I can remember seeing a photograph of Wembley in the 1950’s hosting a F A cup final a 120,000 people crammed in with fans almost up to the touch lines, being kept in check with a handful of policeman, how we yearn for those days back.