World Cup 2010 Overview

Jose De Jesus Corona Pleased With Preparations.

February 09 2010 : The Mexico and Cruz Azul shot-stopper spoke about the run up to the World Cup and what lies in store for El Tri.

Corona was pleased with the work done by the Mexican Football Federation, as they have set up friendly matches against opponents of high quality ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.

Coached by Javier Aguirre, Mexico will face the likes of Italy, England, Holland, Portugal, Chile and Senegal, among others, in the build-up to the finals.

The Mexican goalkeeper believes that these encounters will serve to prepare the side so that they reach June in great condition and ready to do well.

"I think the games will help us get into the right frame of mind, the opponents are strong and they will be the test to determine our level ahead of South Africa. I think the directors did a great job of setting these games up, and now those of us who are selected must respond with good performances," he told Goal.com.

Corona said that to deal with those kinds of rivals, the growth of the Tricolor will be important.

"We have to get the most out of these meetings, maintain a good level and play them with the seriousness they deserve to achieve expected results. We know it will not be simple, but we have the ability to put in a good performance."

The keeper agreed that he would love to play in the World Cup, but he knows that nobody has a secure spot within the national squad.

"Nothing is sure until the final list is announced. No one can relax and we must keep working hard to benefit the team and the squad, and when we see that we are called up, we will be happy.”

World Cup 2010: New Zealand Expect No Surprises In Final Squad For South Africa

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has told his players who took the All Whites to the 2010 World Cup that they are all likely to be going to South Africa.

Eighteen players were in the squad that defeated Bahrain in November’s World Cup play-off match and all will be in line to face Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia in June in the Kiwis’ first appearance on the world stage for 28 years.

Most of the ‘Bahrain-beaters’ will travel to Los Angeles on March 3 for a friendly with Mexico.

"Nothing has changed there. I don't think any of them [the Bahrain 18] will miss out - the only reason would be a real downturn in form and there is no case of that at the moment," Herbert said according to the New Zealand Herald.

"There are situations out of your control where players aren't playing much for their clubs but that is not a recipe to leave anyone out at this stage. If someone was left out of their club side for a long time you could look at it, though,” he added.

The newspaper also reports that Herbert will not take four goalkeepers to South Africa although Glen Moss is serving a four-match suspension that will not expire until the final group game against Paraguay.

World Cup 2010: Japan Star Yasuhito Endo - Our Confidence Is Low At The Moment

Japan star Yasuhito Endo has admitted that the team are short of confidence at the moment.

Two goalless draws in the space of a week at home to supposedly inferior opposition in the shape of Venezuela and China have resulted in the knives coming out once again for coach Takeshi Okada.

Japan were booed off the pitch on Saturday after the China match in the opening game of the 2010 East Asian Championships.

A win will be expected against Hong Kong on Thursday leaving the stage set for the big match against South Korea on Sunday.

Both teams are preparing for the World Cup and Endo hopes that those preparations will get a much-needed boost over the next few days.

“I think there will be some member changes. The team is a little low on confidence at the moment,” Endo said according to the-afc.com.

The 2009 Asian Player of the Year knows that the match against Korea on Sunday is key.

“Korea are strong. For our confidence we must win the next game (with Hong Kong) and then I hope that we are able to beat Korea too,” he said.

Japan will take on Cameroon, Denmark and the Netherlands in Group E of the 2010 World Cup.

World Cup 2010: Fluminense Striker Fred Targets Selecao Spot

Brazil coach Carlos Dunga has plenty of options for the attacking positions in the Selecao with forwards such as Luis Fabiano, Adriano, Ronaldo, Robinho, Pato and Nilmar all eager to make in into Dunga's World Cup squad.

Fluminense forward Fred is a candidate to make it to South Africa, too, but the former Olympique Lyon star is aware if the stiff competition for a spot in Brazil's finals squad.

"The battle for attacking places with the national team is really fierce. It was very tough back in 2006, too, but I managed to clinch my spot at the last minute. I’m hoping that the same thing happens in 2010," said Fred to FIFA.com.

"I know that whoever gets the nod will do a good job for the team. If I’m selected then I’ll fight for a starting place, despite the fact that Luis Fabiano is playing out of his skin.

"But my form deserves recognition too, given I played in 16 ‘finals’ last year and scored 13 decisive goals."

World Cup 2010: South African FA Organise Friendly Match Against Namibia

SAFA has confirmed that the international friendly between Bafana Bafana and Namibia will take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on March 3.
The game will be part of the 100 Days celebrations before World Cup 2010 kicks off on June 11.

It will be Bafana’s third game this year after they beat Swaziland 6-2 in a training match and then defeated Zimbabwe 3-0 in an international friendly.

The South Africans will also head off for a pre-World Cup camp in Brazil and Germany.

Meanwhile, SAFA CEO Leslie Sedibe has confirmed to the press that Esselen Park in Johannesburg will act as Bafana Bafana’s base camp for the World Cup.

World Cup 2010: Luciano Moggi: Italy Will Do Little In South Africa

Luciano Moggi has said Italy are not good enough to win the World Cup in delivering a damaging speech on Calcio.

Moggi attacked the Italian game on every level, raising doubts over whether Marcello Lippi can defend the crown won in 2006.

"Lippi will not return to Juventus at the end of the season as he is like a lightening rod at the Italian FA," he told 'Studio Stadio' on Gold Sport.

"But he cannot do much in South Africa because the material at his disposal is not extraordinary; it's not his fault though."

His verdict continued after questioning Milan's decision to sign Amantino Mancini, agreeing with Silvio Berlusconi's disapproval of the transfer.

"I agree with Berlusconi, Mancini to Milan is a useless transfer," he continued.

"He is not the same player he was at Roma."

Working his way down the table, Moggi looked at relegation-threatened Lazio, and his assessment there was clear.

"For the good of Lazio, [coach Davide] Ballardini should resign. He is not good enough for an important club like Lazio," he said.

"[President Claudio] Lotito is also to blame for the grave situation at Lazio because he chose the coach, and then he allowed [Goran] Pandev to leave."