Toni dreaming of South Africa spot Print Email my friend Share RSS Add your comment 7 Toni dreaming of South Africa spot

On-loan AS Roma forward Luca Toni said he is still dreaming of a place in Italy coach Marcello Lippi's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ squad after bouncing back to form since the turn of the year.

Toni has featured little since Lippi came back to the helm following Italy's quarter-final exit at the UEFA EURO 2008 two years ago.

And after being frozen out at Bayern Munich over the first half of the season his chances of a FIFA World Cup call up seemed to have disappeared. But a loan move to the Italian capital as helped rejuvenate not just the 32-year-old but also his chance of heading to South Africa, although he recognises that there is a lot of competition for the striker positions.

I've had some good games and I've got my form back. If I do go it will be a dream, otherwise I'll still be supporting Italy.

Luca Toni 

 

"There's many of us in contention for the Italy shirt, Lippi already has his ideas on his squad. I hope to go, he knows me well," said Toni. "I've had some good games and I've got my form back. If I do go it will be a dream, otherwise I'll still be supporting Italy."

As for his club future, Toni admitted he doesn't know where he will be playing next season. He has made it clear he would like to stay in Rome and reiterated that as long as Luis van Gaal is the Bayern coach, he cannot see a future in Bavaria.

"I have to think about finishing the last three games on a high. I've still got a contract with Bayern, my relationship with the club is very good but if van Gaal stays it will be difficult for me to do so," he said. "We'll get together around a table and decide what's best for everyone. They helped me a lot in coming to Rome and I have to thank them for that."

Rooney: Knocks could be a blessing

Wayne Rooney believes England will benefit from his recent injury problems as he will be revitalised for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.   Rooney gave the nation a fright when he missed Manchester United's victory over Tottenham on Saturday because of groin damage sustained in training. The 24-year-old had just returned from an ankle problem that forced him to miss two matches and England coach Fabio Capello can ill-afford any further setbacks to his most influential player.

The 9 May English Premier League clash with Stoke has been set as the return date for the newly-crowned Professional Footballers' Association player of the year. "I'm pleased to have done well in a World Cup year but it's been a difficult last couple of months injury-wise," said Rooney. "I'm disappointed to have missed a couple of games over the last few weeks.

No one likes watching football if you're a player, it's difficult knowing you can't influence the game. It's frustrating.

Wayne Rooney 

"No one likes watching football if you're a player, it's difficult knowing you can't influence the game. It's frustrating," he went on. "But if there's any consolation I'll probably be fresher for the World Cup, which will be good for me."

Rooney's outstanding form this season ensures he carries the nation's hopes in South Africa, but he insists England are not a one-man team and that they are capable of winning the tournament. "We have a lot of world-class players in the team and a great manager," he said. "If I get injured then so be it, there are other players there to do the job.

"There's a lot of hype but that's something you must live with," Rooney added.  "Success in South Africa would be to win the trophy. We've definitely got a good enough squad to do that. In the qualifying games we played extremely well and were disappointed to not win all the games. We'll prepare well for the finals and hopefully we can bring the trophy back home."

United pressing
On the domestic front, Rooney hopes to help United claim a fourth successive Premier League crown before jetting off for South Africa. Chelsea sit one-point clear at the top of the table with two matches remaining and on paper they have the trickier run in with fixtures against Liverpool and Wigan to come.

The fate of the title race remains in their hands but Rooney insists United must be ready to pounce should they falter. "I'm enjoying the title race. We need Chelsea to slip up now so hopefully Liverpool or Wigan can do us a favour," he said. "Liverpool are a proud club with a lot of history and I'm sure they'll want to win that game as they're fighting for the Europa League. We just have to try and win our last two games. If Liverpool or Wigan can help us out we'll be happy."

Ryan Giggs took over the penalty-taking duties for Saturday's 3-1 victory over Spurs, converting twice from the spot, but Rooney will resume the responsibility upon his comeback. "No I don't think I've lost the penalty-taker's job - Giggsy scored two great pens but I'll be back on it when I get back!" he said.

Deco: We can go a long way

One of the highlights of December's Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, though perhaps less so for the teams involved, was the emergence of a mouthwatering section containing Brazil, Portugal, Côte d’Ivoire and Korea DPR.

The prospect of 25 June’s clash between A Seleção and A Selecção das Quinas in Durban in particular sparked a huge amount of column inches, thanks to the countries’ historical connection, recent encounters between the two teams and the clutch of Brazilian-born stars turning out in Portuguese colours.  Anderson Luis de Souza, better known as Deco, is one such player, a man inextricably caught up in the Brazil versus Portugal debate throughout his career. Born in Sao Bernardo do Campo in Sao Paulo state, the midfielder arrived on Portuguese shores at the age of 20 in 1997 and stayed until 2004.

It was in March 2003 that he was controversially called up by compatriot Luiz Felipe Scolari to play his first game for Portugal: a friendly against none other than Brazil. Underlining the strength of character that has marked his hugely successful career, Deco joined the fray as a substitute and scored the winner in a 2-1 success.

In addition to that baptism of fire, Deco started another Portuguese victory over the country of his birth, a 2-0 friendly win in London in February 2007 that inflicted Dunga’s first defeat as Brazil coach. Yet there has been despair as well as joy in these encounters, and the Chelsea midfielder will remember well a humbling 6-2 mauling in Brasilia in November 2008.

All in all, FIFA.com could barely have picked a better person to comment on the teams’ South Africa 2010 showdown, and assess Portugal’s chances of emulating their run to the last four at Germany 2006.

FIFA.com: Deco, you were part of the Portugal team that reached the last four at the FIFA World Cup four years ago. What do you remember about that tournament? 

Deco: The World Cup is something else. It’s the biggest thing a national team player can aspire to: there’s nothing to compare to it. I put in some good performances but that competition was also a bit of a struggle, as I took a knock early on in the tournament that prevented me from finding my best form. But I do remember it being an excellent World Cup for us. We played well in the semi-final and only just lost to France. In the end the only goal went to them and we missed out on reaching the final. In general terms it was an excellent World Cup.

What are the main differences between the squad that travelled to Germany 2006 and the one that will go to South Africa 2010, both in terms of the players and the respective coaches: Luiz Felipe Scolari and Carlos Queiroz?A lot of the players in the Portugal squad in 2006 are no longer part of the set-up, so we’ve got a lot of players who’ll be playing in their first major competition. I think that the quality is just as high, though we don’t have the same level of experience we had in 2006. The same could be said about our dugout: Felipão (Scolari) had already won the World Cup with Brazil and led Portugal at [UEFA] EURO 2004, while this will be Queiroz’s first big competition at the helm. But he’s an excellent coach who’ll have a very good squad of players at his disposal. That’s why I think we’ve got all the necessary ingredients to be successful.

I’m Brazilian but I took the nationality of a country where I spent many years and which gave me everything. That’s all there is to it.

Deco on his allegiances

Do think Portugal are among the favourites?
No, because the favourites are those national teams with a World Cup pedigree, something that Portugal, who have never won the Trophy, don’t have. So, we can’t be considered among the favourites. That said, we do have a team boasting plenty of quality, with great players and which can go a long way at the finals.

Given the talented players that Portugal have had over the years, what has prevented them winning major titles at senior international level?

 Listen, it’s not easy to win the World Cup. After all, there’s a good reason why so few countries have done it so far. There are great teams that have never won a World Cup, because often the difference can be made by tiny details, like having a bit of luck at a decisive moment. It’s hard to put your finger on.

There has been a lot of talk this season about Real Madrid’s alleged dependence on Cristiano Ronaldo, but the same be said of Portugal? 

We won several games without Cristiano and equally we’ve won games with him on the field. Nowadays you just don’t get big teams depending on just one player. Manchester United have done very well since Ronaldo left, Madrid have won games without him, as have Portugal. Of course you notice the absence of any great player, there’s no doubt about that, but the Portuguese national side isn’t dependent on him. It’s only natural that teams want their best players available and miss them when they’re not. That being the case, given he’s one of the world’s best players, he is important to us.

The Brazil-Portugal game is packed with sub-plots regarding Brazilian-born players now turning out for Portugal. As a veteran of this debate, will the experience of having played against A Seleção on three occasions prove useful?

 It’s an interesting experience, no doubt about it, but a friendly is totally different to a game at the World Cup. It’s good that I’ve already gone through that experience and already know what it means to play against Brazil, the difference that it makes. But the World Cup is still a different story. Anyway, we mustn’t think that there’s any negative feeling, on the contrary. I’m Brazilian but I took the nationality of a country where I spent many years and which gave me everything. That’s all there is to it. At the end of the day, it’s just another big game. To be honest, at the moment I think our opening game is our biggest challenge. If we can win our opener against Côte d’Ivoire, we’ve got a great chance of progressing. Whichever team loses that match will find it very difficult to reach the next round.

As you say, Portugal kick off against Côte d’Ivoire and round off their group-stage campaign against Brazil, currently second in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. Then in the Round of 16, a Group G side could find themselves up against the team at the top of that Ranking: Spain. What is the feeling in the camp at the prospect of facing so many big names in a short space of time?  

We’re not worried about anybody. If that’s who we have to play, we’ll just get on with it. If you go to the World Cup thinking about who you’re going to play and trying to pick your opponents then you’d be better off staying at home.

At club level, do you see yourself eventually returning to Brazilian or Portuguese football? 

I’m going to go back and live in Brazil for personal reasons, because my family’s there and I’ve been in Europe for 13 years now. I’ve got a huge amount of affection for Portugal and the city of Porto in particular, where I’ve got a house, but I was born in Brazil and my family is there, as is my social project the Deco Institute, in Indaiatuba. I want to go back and that’s what I’ll do when my Chelsea contract runs out in 2011. And if I’m fit enough to do a job for a Brazilian team then I’ll come back and play too.

Altidore: England don't scare us

USA's Jozy Altidore certainly cuts an imposing figure out on the pitch, thanks to a muscular 1.90m frame ideally suited to the target-man position. Indeed, it is in this role that he has proved vital to the success of the Stars and Stripes, with coach Bob Bradley expecting a great deal from the 20-year-old at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Off the field, however, Altidore has recently had much to endure, including personal problems, a serious car accident involving close friend and fellow USA forward Charlie Davies, as well as the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, where his parents hail from. Touching on all those issues and more, Altidore sat down for an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.

FIFA.com: Jozy, tell us how you felt when you saw USA had been drawn against England, Algeria and Slovenia at South Africa 2010?Jozy Altidore: I’m delighted about the group we’ve been drawn in. I think that all of us in the United States agree that we’re in a group which will allow us to play our football. We’ll be up against a world force in England and two quick teams in Slovenia and Algeria, and I think these opponents really suit our style of play.

Is there any anxiety about taking on a big name like England in your first group game?England don't scare us, on the contrary, we’re really looking forward to that match. I think that we’re capable of beating anybody on our day and there’s no team in the world that can beat us easily. We’re up to the challenge and the English will realise that when we meet them.

What lessons did USA learn from reaching the final of last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup?That anything can happen. Nobody expected us to go so far and play such a high standard of football. But it also taught us that we mustn’t rest on our laurels. We were beating Brazil 2-0 (in the final), putting in an excellent performance and we felt that we had the win in the bag. Of course, you can’t do that against a team of Brazil’s calibre and we all know what the final score was [A Seleção emerged 3-2 winners]. But it was a good lesson to learn.

Your career seems to be progressing well, but how are things on a personal level?I’ve been through a lot over the last two or three years that people don’t know about. Then came the car accident involving my friend Charlie. And just when I was trying to put that behind me, suddenly the earthquake struck in Haiti. You have to be strong and not let the sadness weigh you down. I’m still trying to get over that bad period, but I’ve got help from my family, who’ve been fantastic.

Could you expand a little on the problems you have been through in previous years?I had family issues which stopped me from focusing completely on football and affected my performances. Things are better now and I’ve vowed to myself that this will be the year I return to the very top, taking full advantage of the World Cup. I’m certain that 2010 will be my year.

Can you tell us more about Charlie Davies’s situation?Charlie is like a brother to me, so his accident was a terrible blow. But I’m happy to see how well he’s recovered. I think he’s surprised a lot of people, not just me, and I really confident that he’ll be joining us on our South Africa adventure because he’s got talent to spare.

It's not impossible. We already proved what we’re capable of at the Confederations Cup, so why not at the World Cup?

Jozy Altidore on USA's chances of reaching the South Africa 2010 Final 

 

Given that your family hails from Haiti, how affected were you by the earthquake that struck in January?That was a tragedy which was hard to swallow. I’ve got family there and it’s impossible to imagine how it feels to go three or four days without being able to speak to or locate them. So many lives were lost, I lost so many friends. That’s why I got involved in the aid effort, to try and make people aware of the terrible state the Haitian people were in and just how much their support was needed.

Turning back to your professional career, why do you think you have enjoyed success on the international scene while struggling to establish yourself at club level?I think it has to do with the sheer quality of my national team colleagues. If you look at their CVs you can see just how much each one has achieved during their careers. Things are different at Hull (City), a team which is battling against relegation. That makes every goalscoring opportunity, every point and every win valuable. As far as I’m concerned, I aim to give as much as possible to the team whatever the circumstances, though that’s not reflected in my (goalscoring) stats.

Do you regret not staying at Villarreal?I knew that it (moving to England) was not going to be easy. Hull is a very different place to Villarreal and New York, where I’d played previously. In terms of the style of play, when I went I was perfectly aware that I was joining a team where I wasn’t going to score lots of goals. It was a challenge and a decision that I’d really thought through. I don’t regret it at all.

As a striker, do you follow your instinct or do you try and visualise how a game might pan out beforehand?I always try to visualise what might happen. I think that’s very important to make sure you’re ready when things happen for real. I try to see moves in my head so I’m ready when I need to be.

You were the youngest player to score for the senior USA side and the first American to score in La Liga. What next, becoming the first USA player to score in the FIFA World Cup Final?That would be fantastic and it’s not impossible. We already proved what we’re capable of at the Confederations Cup, so why not at the World Cup?

Alcaraz and Albirroja aim for semis

Keen for the praise to fall on those who earned it most, Antolin Alcaraz positively glowed with gratitude as he savoured Paraguay’s recent form. “The success of this team is down to the coach,” the defender told , with just two months to go before he and his colleagues touch down in South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Called up for the first time in November 2008, the Club Brugge centre-back owes his stint with La Albirroja to Gerardo Martino, but his respect for Paraguay’s national coach owes little to self-interest. Instead, Alcaraz is as eager as anyone to analyse the reasons why Paraguay enjoyed their best ever FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, having hit the 30-point mark for the first time under the current format. “If the squad is united, with a sense of togetherness and characters who complement each other, as well as a friendship that reaches beyond the pitch, then that’s down to him,” he explained. “Psychologically, he’s very good with the players.”

An ever-present figure in the Argentinian coach’s squad on the road to South Africa, the 28-year-old has become one of Martino’s most fervent supporters. “He made good decisions by making form the most important factor,” said Alcaraz. “He chooses the best players, without hesitating to leave the stars on the bench when they’re not playing so well. He’s also had the intelligence to bring new players into the national team, which gives us more options in case of injury or lack of form among the senior players. He does a huge amount of watching games and finds players no matter what league they’re in, as with Enrique Vera in Ecuador. That’s increased competition for places.”

"Making the last four is a possibility, but once again we have to be aware of our strengths without overestimating them."

Antolin Alcaraz on Paraguay's aim. 

It is an approach that has clearly worked wonders, with Paraguay clinching ten victories during the qualifiers and ultimately securing themselves a place at the global showcase without too much fuss. However, as they gear up for their fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup finals, Los Guaraníes must now deal with the consequences of their success and meet raised expectations back home.

“Everyone in the country thinks we’ll get past the Round of 16,” said Alcaraz. “Hopes are high because the Paraguayan media sees our group as not very difficult, and we're expected to go through behind Italy.” Despite never having appeared in a previous edition of world football’s leading tournament, the stopper knows better than to assume any opponents will prove straightforward. “There are always surprises at a World Cup,” he added. “Every team that’s qualified is very solid, whether they’re a big name or not. We absolutely have to treat every opponent the same way.”

He chooses the best players, without hesitating to leave the stars on the bench when they’re not playing so well.

Antolin Alcaraz on Gerardo Martino. 

To help him keep his feet on the ground, the former Beira Mar stopper need only listen to Martino, who will not be taking fellow Group F hopefuls New Zealand and Slovakia lightly. “There are no more easy teams,” said the 47-year-old. “Favourite status has to be earned on the pitch.” Also contributing to the sense of perspective are the worrying question marks over the fitness of Salvador Cabanas, the team’s leading scorer in qualifying with six strikes. “His absence would be a huge loss,” said Alcaraz.

Should Cabanas fail to make the trip, Paraguay can nonetheless call upon some high-quality forwards, with the likes of Roque Santa Cruz, Oscar Cardozo and Nelson Haedo Valdez really marking the current crop out from previous Albirroja generations. “Making the last four is a possibility, but once again we have to be aware of our strengths without overestimating them,” said Alcaraz, who began his career with Racing Club in Argentina. “There’s a lot of confidence in this squad and I know we will go far. How far, I don’t know, but we have what’s required to reach the semi-finals; I’m sure of it.”

Martino’s men will not have to wait long to take an early measure of their potential, as they face world champions Italy in their very first group outing. “I prefer playing them right at the start as opposed to facing them in the last game if they still need points to go through,” concluded Alcaraz. “Taking on Italy in a decisive match for them would be a big ask.” Perhaps, but lining up a Paraguay team soaring with confidence would no doubt prove a big ask for Gli Azzurri too. (fifa.com)

Ibra questionable for Arsenal

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a major doubt for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg clash with Arsenal after suffering a right leg injury. The Swede, who scored both goals in the 2-2 draw in the first leg in London last week, pulled up in the pre-match warm-up to Saturday's 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao which put Barcelona top of La Liga. Ibrahimovic is also a doubt for Saturday's 'El Clasico' against Real Madrid. "He is not ruled out of Tuesday's match by any means, but it will be difficult for him to play," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. "He already had some problems after the first game in London."

Barcelona are already without Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol through suspension for Tuesday's clash.

That has already forced Guardiola to reshuffle his back-line and now he needs to change his first-choice striker with Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic, who scored twice on Saturday, candidates to deputise.

Qatar SC seal fourth spot

Three-time Qatar League champions Qatar SC secured fourth spot in the standings by defeating lowly Al Khraitiat 2-0 in the final round of matches today.Qatar SC, who will compete at the Qatar Crown Prince Cup later this month, claimed their 11th win this season to advance to 38 points - one ahead of Al Rayyan, who defeated Al Shamal 3-0 tonight. Qatar striker Sebastian Soria put Qatar SC ahead after 12 minutes and sealed their win with 10 minutes remaining.

Al Arabi, who also qualified for the Qatar Crown Prince Cup, made sure of third spot with a 3-2 win over Al Wakra.

Brazilian striker Cabore gave Al Arabi the lead five minutes before the break and Mohamad Salem Al Mal made it 2-0 four minutes into the second half.

Hassan Al Qadi pulled a goal back for Al Wakra two minutes later and Moroccan midfielder Adil Ramzi levelled the scores 14 minutes from time, but Cabore's penalty in the last minute secured the points for Al Arabi.

Meanwhile, 2010 AFC Cup qualifiers Al Rayyan took the lead against Al Shamal after 37 minutes through Abdulkarim Al-Ali. Omani striker Imad Al Hosni doubled their advantage after 66 minutes and Brazilian frontman Afonso Alves converted a late penalty to seal the triumph.

The league season will be concluded tomorrow, when champions Al Gharafa take on Al Ahli, Al Sadd meet Al Khor and Umm Salal face Al Siliya.

Bent a hero despite misses

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce saluted match-winner Darren Bent despite seeing him miss two penalties in a 3-1 win over his former club Tottenham.The England international took his tally for the season to 23 with a quick-fire first-half double, but was then twice denied from the spot by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who also saved a Bent penalty at White Hart Lane earlier in the season.

Bruce was in no mood to blame his £10million summer signing for the misses having himself experienced the misery of failing from 12 yards during his playing days at Manchester United. "We mustn't forget he has won us the game. Okay, he is disappointed that he has missed two penalties, but all good players miss penalties," he said.

We mustn't forget he has been fantastic and again, he has got two goals for us. It could have been a wonder-day for him, couldn't it? It wasn't quite, but he has been fantastic for Sunderland and these things happen.

Steve Bruce after Darren Bent scored two goals but missed two penalties against Spurs 

"I have done so myself," he continued. "I lost to Sheffield United and then I lost in Russia. I remember [then-United chairman] Mr [Martin] Edwards saying, 'Thanks Steve, you have just cost us £12million'. Great players can miss penalties. No, in seriousness, we mustn't forget he has been fantastic and again, he has got two goals for us. It could have been a wonder-day for him, couldn't it? It wasn't quite, but he has been fantastic for Sunderland and these things happen. It made my life a little bit uncomfortable for a while, but it was a wonderful spectacle."

In a remarkable game, Sunderland raced into 2-0 lead within 29 minutes, and inevitably, it was Bent who did the damage. He struck for the first time with 36 seconds on the clock after Gomes could only parry Fraizer Campbell's header, and then converted from the spot after Kyle Walker had handed to take his tally for the season to 23.

But he saw two second-half penalties saved by Gomes as the Black Cats failed to kill the game off, and that might have proved costly when Peter Crouch reduced the deficit 18 minutes from time just seconds after coming on as a substitute. Home nerves were calmed four minutes from time when Sunderland substitute Bolo Zenden steered home a sumptuous volley to all but mathematically guarantee his side's place in next season's top flight.

Bruce, however, insists there is still work to be done. "I think 38 [points] is not quite going to be enough," he said. "I have never, ever thought we would be involved in a relegation battle - I don't know what all the fuss is about. We have got to try to catch Stoke and Blackburn. At the moment, where I see us is arguably third off top in our league. That's got to be the aim, to finish as high as we can in our league. We could all pick our top eight, but we have got to get Sunderland in and around that 10th position, and that's what we will aim to do."

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who sold Bent to Sunderland, was philosophical about the striker's contribution to the game. "It doesn't bother me, good luck to him. He's in good form, he scored a couple of goals, so what?" he said.

The defeat ended a run of five successive league victories for Spurs, but Redknapp is still convinced they can win the battle for fourth place."It's still wide-open, we just need to get one or two players back, that's our problem," said Redknapp. "From the neutral's point of view, it was probably a great game. [Sunderland] were up for it today - they don't play like that every week, do they? But today, they were full of it. They chased every ball, they pressed, they worked - they played very well today. Full credit to Sunderland."

City go fourth with six

Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice as Manchester City climbed into fourth place in the Premier League with a crushing 6-1 win over struggling Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.

With Tottenham's 3-1 loss to Sunderland earlier in the day, City knew a win would put them in pole position in the race for fourth place and the final Champions League spot. Roberto Mancini's side rose to the challenge with a stylish display and they now have 59 points - one more than fifth-placed Tottenham.

City were 3-0 up after seven minutes and 5-0 ahead by half-time in the teeming Lancashire rain. Adebayor's double and one each from Craig Bellamy, Carlos Tevez and Patrick Vieira put the result beyond doubt by the interval. Vincent Kompany made it 6-0 before Burnley finally showed some attacking nous when Steven Fletcher curled a shot over Shay Given into the far corner in the 72nd minute.

This was a matchup between one of the wealthiest clubs in the world against the club with the smallest budget in the Premier League - City substitute Roque Santa Cruz's 17 million pound price tag last year was more than Burnley's playing budget for the whole of this season.

Adebayor emphasised the difference between the clubs as he started the goal rush in the fourth minute, controlling a corner from Adam Johnson and volleying past Brian Jensen. Bellamy was completely unmarked when he doubled the score in the fifth minute, collecting a cross from Tevez to score.

Tevez then tapped in a rebound from Adebayor to score City's third, taking advantage of hesitant goalkeeping from Jensen. That resulted in Burnley manager Brian Laws losing his cool on the touchline, the crowd jeering their team and several fans heading for the exits. The Clarets have yet to win a Premier League game this season after conceding the first goal and City were far from finished.

Vieira scored his first goal for City since moving from Inter Milan in January and his first in the Premier League in five years, rising to head home a Johnson cross in the 20th minute. Adebayor made it 5-0 in 44th, taking a pass from Tevez to comfortably sprint clear and slot past Jensen.

It was a far cry from November, when Burnley earned their only away point of the season in a 3-3 draw at Manchester City. But since then Burnley have struggled with their last win coming against West Ham in February, a run of nine matches. Their best chance came from David Nugent, who forced Given to save but the ball then went straight to the other end and Vieira had a shot of his own stopped by Jensen.

Tevez then failed to connect with a Bellamy cross after fine work from Johnson and the Argentine also hit a post. Puddles appeared on the pitch in the second half as a result of the relentless rain. It affected the playing conditions but did not stop City from scoring again. Kompany was next on the scoresheet in the 58th minute, heading in unopposed from a Johnson corner.

Burnley managed to pull a goal back in the 72nd minute when Fletcher scored after being played on by Jack Cork. But Burnley seemed to have given up before the game had even started. Still in the bottom three, this performance does not bode well for their survival hopes. (fifa.com)

Tunnel visions raise a smile

One of football’s principal rules is that a game lasts 90 minutes, with all the action of interest sandwiched between kick-off and the referee’s final whistle. In theory, anyway. In reality, every match gets under way long before the clock starts, as the players mingle in the corridor that leads to the pitch, before likewise ending on their route back to the dressing rooms. FIFA.com now recalls some of the legendary stories and myths surrounding incidents that took place even before the teams crossed the white line.

Call it intimidation, pressure or downright scare tactics, but provoking opponents in the tunnel has long been a strategy employed to eke out a psychological advantage in the run-up to a game. When the players in question also happen to be the captains of two Premier League heavyweights and neither are known as shrinking violets, then the reverberations are enough to shake the stadiums walls.

That was the case at Arsenal’s former stronghold, Highbury, when the famous marbled halls were rattled by the aftershocks of an altercation between Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane as fellow title contenders Manchester United came to town. Rushing to the aid of his team-mate Gary Neville, who was exchanging a few choice words with Vieira, Keane pointed to his opposite number and then to the end of the narrow corridor as he warned: “I’ll see you out there. Shut your mouth, you. Every week you pretend you’re a nice guy.” That animated discussion has gone down in Premier League history, and although Vieira went on to open the scoring, it was the Red Devils who came out on top with a 4-2 success at the home of their rivals.

That tale no doubt rings true for another French player, defender Basile Boli, who was also renowned for his committed approach to the game. Before an encounter with Nantes during the 1980s, the Auxerre centre-back was entrusted with the task of keeping prolific Yugoslavian striker Vahid Halilhodzic quiet. “I won my match in the tunnel,” explained the future UEFA Champions League winner a few years later. “We were side by side in the tunnel and I said to him: ‘You’re a dead man.’ I scared the hell out of him and he did nothing all match.”

Intimidation is an integral part of football in South America too, and nowhere more so than Uruguay. La Celeste’s reputation as a team that never shies away from a challenge was cemented in the away dressing room at the Maracana ahead of the deciding match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup™. Fully aware that they were massive underdogs and overwhelmed by the 203,850 Brazil supporters who had come to watch them lose, Uruguay’s players were readying themselves to be undone by the Seleçao.

I won my match in the tunnel. We were side by side in the tunnel and I said to him: ‘You’re a dead man.’

 

Basile Boli on the secret to keeping Vahid Halilhodzic quiet

Obdulio Varela saw things differently, however. “Don’t think about all those people and don’t look up,” the team captain ordered his compatriots before they took to the field. “The match will happen down here, on the ground, and if we win nothing will happen. Matches are won with guts and feet.” When the final whistle blew, it was Uruguay who were crowned world champions, while the whole of Brazil wept.

A few days previously, however, it was Brazil who benefitted from a pre-match incident, when Yugoslavia’s best player Rajko Mitic had the misfortune to walk into a girder and cut his head open. That left the European side starting with ten men against the hosts, and by the time their star striker could enter the fray with his head in bandages, they had already conceded a goal to Ademir and were heading for a 2-0 reverse.

Stadium corridors can clearly be dangerous places, and half a century after Mitic’s malaise, Scottish midfielder Michael Stewart failed to heed the lesson. Sent off against Hamilton Academical, the Hearts captain made the rash decision to vent his anger by kicking the tunnel wall, only to slip and end up writhing in pain on the ground. Hearts were also involved when a referee sparked amusement in the stands by electrocuting himself on his earpiece during a match against Celtic. Thankfully, no lasting damage was done.

As for Celtic themselves, the history of the Glasgow giants was indelibly marked by a tunnel episode on their way to becoming the first British club to win a European trophy. Up against 1964 and 1965 European and world champions Inter Milan in Lisbon, Celtic looked to be major outsiders ahead of the 1967 showpiece. "There they were, all six-footers with Ambre Solaire suntans, Colgate smiles and sleek-backed hair," recalled the team's star winger, Jimmy 'Jinky' Johnstone. "Each and every one of them looked like the film star Cesar Romero. They even smelled beautiful! And there's us lot - midgets! I've got no teeth, Bobby Lennox hasn't any, and old Ronnie Simpson's got none, top or bottom. The Italians are staring down at us and we're grinning back up at them with our great gumsy grins. We must have looked like something out of the circus!"

Unperturbed, Bertie Auld opted to respond with a stirring burst of melody. The midfielder launched into the club anthem, the Celtic Song, and his team-mates followed suit, to the general surprise of the Nerazzurri. "You should have seen the expressions on the Italians' faces," chuckled captain Billy McNeill. "I think they thought they were playing a pub team!" The Serie A titans were left stunned after the final whistle too as the scoreboard told of a 2-1 victory for their Scottish opponents, and the legend of the Lisbon Lions was born.

English side Liverpool have now won Europe’s most prestigious prize five times and have long been recognised as giants of the continental game. One of the most enduring facets of their aura is the ‘This is Anfield’ sign that greets players in the tunnel just before they head out on to the pitch. Designed to faze visiting teams, it also serves to motivate the Reds themselves, with tradition dictating that each player touch the inscription for good luck. Beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Anfield after having triumphed 1-0 at home in 1977, Saint-Etienne were perhaps persuaded by that experience to install a sign of their own, and the tunnel of their Stade Geoffroy-Guichard home now boasts the message 'Ici c’est le chaudron' (This is the Cauldron).

The Italians are staring down at us and we're grinning back up at them with our great gumsy grins. We must have looked like something out of the circus!

 

Jimmy Johnstone on the culture clash in the Lisbon tunnel before the 1967 European Cup final

Former St-Etienne youth prospect Gregory Coupet is another player with a tunnel story, as he owed his lengthy and successful stint with local rivals Lyon to an incident behind the scenes. The current Paris Saint-Germain custodian was in fact recruited by OL in 1997 as a replacement for Pascal Olmeta, his predecessor having been sacked by the club following a clash in the tunnel with team-mate Jean-Luc Sassus.

Nowadays, Lyon are more likely to stand united than divided in the corridors of a stadium. After their excellent recent draw at Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round, the French club’s Argentinian duo Lisandro Lopez and Cesar Delgado made a point of reminding Real defender Sergio Ramos of his pre-match prediction. “Hey, you, didn’t you say you’d win 3-0?” they asked. In the wake of Lyon’s 1-0 home leg win, the Spanish international had indeed foreseen a straightforward success for his side at the Santiago Bernabeu, but while he was forced to eat his words, he nonetheless treated his giddy opponents to a different take on the moral of the story. “You have to know how to lose but you also have to know how to win,” he told them.

Better known for his exploits with the ball at his feet, Los Merengues legend Alfredo Di Stefano could also impress away from the action. Heading into a European Cup meeting with Nice at Madrid’s old Chamartin stadium in 1960, his colleague Rial was determined to wipe out their 3-2 away-leg setback and told Di Stefano of his hunger to “win big”. The Blond Arrow replied: “First, we’re going to eat. Only after that will we think about chocolate.” Real won the match 4-0, having consumed both main course and dessert.

A few years later, Di Stefano was seeing out the twilight of his career at Espanyol. Less influential on the pitch, he could nonetheless still make waves in the tunnel and did just that during a fixture against Levante in 1964/65. Sent off, he treated Levante’s technical secretary Ramon Balaguer to a loud slap that echoed through the Estadio Vallejo as he trudged back to the dressing room.

Another Argentinian to have served the Espanyol cause, Pablo Cavallero had a friend who was a fan of the Dutch striker and then Barcelona marksman Patrick Kluivert. Ahead of a Barcelona city derby he asked Kluivert if they could swap shirts after the game, and made a point of repeating his request during added time. As the final whistle blew, Cavallero chased the former Ajax star down the tunnel to remind him of his promise. “Honestly, I was a bit embarrassed but once again I asked him: ‘Patrick, Patrick, your shirt!’” recalled the former Periquitos goalkeeper afterwards. “He gave it to me and just as I was about to take mine off to exchange it, he said: ‘No, no. that’s OK; keep it.’ I doubt he even knew my name.”

Kluivert’s predecessor at the Camp Nou, Romario, could be just as dismissive – even of his own team-mates. Ahead of his Liga debut, the Brazilian international was offered some friendly words of advice by goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta but took none too kindly to the lessons on offer. “Wait, you’re going to teach me how to score goals?” asked O Baixinho. Some 90 minutes later, Barça were toasting a 3-0 victory earned courtesy of a Romario hat-trick.

That irreverent approach has spectacularly backfired on occasion, though, as Brazil’s women’s team discovered during the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Shanghai. The Auriverde's bout of dancing and singing in the tunnel ahead of the showpiece encounter clearly irritated final opponents Germany, giving the Europeans another source of motivation as they geared up for a 2-0 success.

Lastly, while there is always plenty happening in the tunnel, it is always wise to choose the right moment before making it your destination. Former UEFA President Lennart Johansson found that out to his enormous chagrin after leaving his seat in the 90th minute of the 1999 Champions League final. Heading down to hand Bayern Munich the trophy, with the Bundesliga side leading 1-0 at the death, he passed Bobby Charlton in the bowels of the Camp Nou and told the Manchester United icon: “I’m sorry.” By the time he had left the tunnel again, United were winning 2-1 and about to clinch victory thanks to a pair of strikes in added time. (fifa.com)

Albiol: We're staying grounded

Though he may not be one of Los Blancos’ biggest-name stars, there can be little doubt that centre-back Raul Albiol has been a key figure in Real Madrid’s bid for this season’s La Liga crown. Having adapted swiftly to life at the Bernabeu following his June 2009 switch from Valencia, only four of his fellow Merengue squad members have played more league minutes under coach Manuel Pellegrini than the 24-year-old, a regular in the Spanish national set-up and a member of La Roja squad which triumphed at the UEFA EURO 2008.

All of which is quite a turnaround from events just six years ago, when a car accident nearly cost the rugged defender his life. “At that time all I was thinking about was getting better, football took a back seat. It took me a while to start believing again that I could get back to playing football at the highest level. I just took things one small step at a time, working hard and improving, and now that I’m here I just want to enjoy it,” Albiol told FIFA.com in an exclusive interview.

“I’m aware of just how far I’ve come and what I need to do to stay here, which is the hardest part. Being a Real Madrid central defender is very demanding, it’s a huge responsibility,” continued the player, whose footballing rehabilitation after the accident came during a loan spell at Getafe, before maturing and making his name back at Valencia.

Yet despite joining Madrid from Los Chés, undoubtedly a big club in their own right, Albiol soon realised that the capital outfit was a different proposition entirely. “It really hits you at first and I had the typical nerves you experience as a new boy. As a 14 or 15-year-old I’d look up to Guti, Raul or [Iker] Casillas as I watched them on TV and now they’re my team-mates! I’m very happy though, everybody’s welcomed me really warmly and I’ve settled in quickly.”

The squad is humble and hard-working and even winning the EURO didn’t go to their heads.

Raul Albiol, Spain defender.

“I’ve been really impressed by the enthusiasm and desire of Raul, and by how committed he is in training,” said Albiol, when quizzed about which players have caught his eye the most since his move. “Cristiano Ronaldo too, who’s a great pro, a great team-mate and is always joking around. He’s very different to the impression people outside the club have of him.”

Although the Madrid big-spenders have only the league title still to aim for this season, there will be no shortage of players turning out for their respective nations at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. “We’re dreaming of lifting the Trophy. It must be an incredible feeling,” said Albiol, well placed to make the cut for Spain boss Vicente del Bosque’s finals squad.

“We [Spain] have the enthusiasm, belief and desire, and we’ve also got a winning mentality. And aside from the quality the players have, our team spirit, togetherness and the good atmosphere in the dressing room are all a real plus.”

The powerful defender also had words of praise for boss Del Bosque, the man who guided Spain to a flawless South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign. “He’s a very calm person, with a lot of experience. He knows the players really well, he knows a lot about football and about being in competitions, and he enjoys communicating with his players.”

Despite the squad’s undoubted talent and the former Real Madrid coach’s impressive winning pedigree, La Roja still came undone in the last four of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, an exit which also spelled the end of their record unbeaten run of 35 games. “We didn’t lose against the USA that day because of a lack of humility or because we got too big for our boots. The squad is humble and hard-working and even winning the EURO didn’t go to their heads,” said Albiol, who appeared three times at South Africa 2009.

We’re dreaming of lifting the Trophy. It must be an incredible feeling.

Albiol on Spain's aims in South Africa.

“We kept our feet on the ground ahead of every game in World Cup qualifying, and we’ll be treating the World Cup in the same way. If we do get knocked out it will because our opponents were better on the day, not because we were big-headed,” said this father of two young girls, before underlining the difficulty of Group H rivals Chile, Honduras and Switzerland. “On paper we’re the favourites but you have to prove that out on the pitch. We need to make sure we win our first game. Nobody is going to make it easy for us, we’re going to have to work really hard.”

“We’ve learned (from the USA defeat) that at a major tournament you can lose to anybody. Any team can have an off day but if that happens you’re going home,” said Albiol, whose Spain team will face opponents from a fearsome-looking Group G containing Brazil, Portugal, Côte d’Ivoire and Korea DPR should they reach the Round of 16.

“Any of those teams would be difficult - it’d be a tough game but if you want to go far you have to be ready to beat anybody. Even a good team, one that’s strong and with a winning mentality, has to prove itself against any opponents.”

And even in the face of the FIFA Confederations Cup disappointment, Albiol has certainly not been put off the many charms of hosts South Africa. “We had a lovely experience in South Africa. It’s just a shame we only saw a couple of animals on our safari!” he said with a chuckle as the interview drew to a close. “We’ve noticed just how excited the South Africans are about the start of their World Cup. And it’s our duty to put on a good show for them.” (FIFA.com)

Fergie: No need to pray for Rooney

Sir Alex Ferguson has told England's panicking fans to "stop praying" for Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United boss confirmed he will be without the England forward for between two and three weeks with the minor ankle ligament injury he suffered in Munich on Tuesday. In a best-case scenario it would have Rooney back in action for the Manchester derby at Eastlands on April 17, in the worst, the 24-year-old would be facing a race against time to be fit for a Champions League semi-final with either Lyon or Bordeaux four days later, should United make it that far. 

The (nation's) reaction was panic. Well there is no bone damage and no serious ligament damage, so the nation can stop praying. 

Sir Alex Ferguson on Rooney's ankle injury 

 

Either way, Rooney's participation in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ will not be threatened, which will come as an immense relief, not just to Fabio Capello, but the nation's football fans who have come to believe that without their talisman, England might as well not bother going to South Africa this summer. "The (nation's) reaction was panic," smiled Ferguson. "Well there is no bone damage and no serious ligament damage, so the nation can stop praying."

What Ferguson has no intention of doing is dwelling on the setback. It is patently obvious the loss of Rooney causes him a problem ahead of Saturday's top of the table clash with Chelsea. Yet, in making a single striker his preferred formation, in which Berbatov has no role, Ferguson has given himself an instant replacement.

The Bulgarian cannot be expected to match Rooney's work-rate, few in the United squad could, but the Red Devils spent a club record £30.75million on him for a reason - and Ferguson does not expect the former Tottenham striker to let him down in his hour of need.

"I haven't liked leaving Dimitar out - and now he is in," said the United boss, who is aware public perception of Berbatov is not totally favourable. "The split must be 80-20 in his favour. If we sign a big player and he is not scoring 50 goals a season, including 16 overhead kicks, you are always going to get a discerning voice.

"Everyone has their own favourites and supporters have diverse views," the boss added. "I used to get a letter from a supporter saying I was off my head because I wasn't playing Steve Bruce at centre forward, although in fairness it was probably Brucie writing it himself or his granny."

Berbatov has produced a couple of battling performances in Rooney's absence lately, which have guided United to crucial victories at Wolves and Bolton. He is more likely to attack with a sword than a sledgehammer, but Ferguson is confident Chelsea will still feel the same thrust. "The one thing you cannot dismiss is Dimitar's ability and talent," he said. "He is a fantastic player. He can play on his own up front. What you need is to give him good support."

Faith in the squad
Ferguson is adamant there will be no sense of loss at Rooney's absence, or deflected concentration ahead of such a big game. United would prefer to have their main man available, but having lost so many key players so often this season, it is just another inconvenience to overcome. "Rooney is a loss, you want to have all your best players available," said Ferguson. "It hasn't been the case for us this season but we have struggled through.

"We have stumbled but we are a point ahead in the Premier League, in the quarter-final of the Champions League with an away goal advantage and we have won the League Cup," he went on. "I am sure our players are not going to let this upset them. Do you think they are worrying whether Wayne Rooney is going to cost them it by not being there? Not at all."

Ferguson will draft some experience on to his bench in the form of either John O'Shea or Owen Hargreaves, who made his last appearance against Chelsea in September 2008 since when he has undergone major surgery on both knees. A fit Hargreaves would represent a major addition for a United side, who, thanks to the joint failings of Chelsea and Arsenal over the last few weeks, would be quite happy with a draw.

Not that Ferguson intends to play for one. "You cannot go into a game thinking you must not lose," he said. "That is a silly attitude."

(fifa.com)

South Africa hold Paraguay : World Cup 2010

South Africa hold Paraguay

But after the break Carlos Alberto Parreira's team came more into the game and they deservedly equalised when Tshabalala struck home a tremendous left footer from 30 yards.

South Africa continued their build-up to this summer's tournament with an encouraging 1-1 draw against Paraguay on Wednesday evening.

The South Americans, who were missing several top European-based players, took the lead after 37 minutes through Marcelo Estigarribia, but Bafana Bafana hit back to equalize through Siphiwe Tshabalala 19 minutes from time.

The result was a distinct improvement for South Africa coming as it did against a team also qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and compared to the drab 1-1 draw played out against lowly ranked Namibia on 3 March.

The likes of Brazil and Argentina have all come here and struggled, so we did well.

Carlos Alberto Parreira, South Africa coach.

Paraguay dominated for most of the first half and deservedly took the lead after eight minutes before the break when Estigarribia found himself clear to head home from close in.

The South Africans went into this game at the back end of an intensive three-week training camp in Brazil where they played a total of seven matches against local clubs.

"We were in the lion's cage here, and the team showed a lot of character by coming from behind, I am proud of them just for that," Parreira said. "In the first half Paraguay were the better team and in the second half we took control of the proceedings - so the draw is a fair result. The likes of Brazil and Argentina have all come here and struggled, so we did well in this match."

The South Africans went into this game at the back end of an intensive three-week training camp in Brazil where they played a total of seven matches against local clubs.

They will next have another training camp in Germany in April before returing to South Africa in May to complete preparations for the FIFA World Cup opener against Mexico in Johannesburg on 11 June. France and Uruguay are the two other teams in South Africa's group.

Schwarzer: We are quietly confident at World Cup 2010

(FIFA.com)

Though in the twilight of his career Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is enjoying rare form for both club and country. The Socceroos No1 for several years now, Schwarzer played a major role in his country reaching successive FIFA World Cups™ for the first time. His well-documented penalty shoot-out heroics against Uruguay were key to Australia reaching Germany 2006 and the custodian conceded just four goals in their 14 matches in qualification for South Africa 2010.After 11 years at Middlesbrough, Schwarzer has enjoyed a new lease of life since arriving at Fulham two years ago helping the club to seventh, while this term the Cottagers have enjoyed an impressive run in the UEFA Europa League. The 37-year-old’s fine form saw him collect the Premier League's Player of the Month for February.

Schwarzer’s personal achievements are numerous and include 400 Premier League appearances and nearly 700 career matches. With 73 appearances to his name, Schwarzer is Australia’s most-capped goalkeeper and with no plans for retirement is now eyeing the national record of 87.

In an exclusive chat with FIFA.com, Schwarzer talks about his recent club experiences, his form and his plans for the future. The shotstopper also reveals his aspirations and hopes for South Africa 2010 as Australia aim to continue a fine defensive record on the world’s greatest stage in Group D against Germany, Serbia and Ghana.

FIFA.com: It’s been a another wonderful season for you at Fulham, with good league form, a UEFA Europa League run that included defeating Juventus and being named English Premier League player of the month. How does the season compare for you?Mark Schwarzer: From day one I have enjoyed my time at Fulham. So far, this season has been even more enjoyable than last season. I have been fortunate enough over 13-14 years to have some pretty fantastic seasons, and definitely the last two seasons at Fulham have been very special for a number of reasons. The longer my career has gone on the more I have relaxed and enjoyed things and savoured the moment. This season is turning out to be pretty special and I hope it continues into the World Cup. That would really cap off a memorable season.

Given your showings for both club and country, do you consider this the best form you have been in?That is what everyone was telling me last season that it was the best I had ever played! All I have tried to do is get my head down and work as hard as I possibly can. If anything I have physically worked even harder than I did last season, and so far it is paying dividends.

You were also in great form for the Socceroos who proved hard to beat in qualifying. How confident is the team given the group you have drawn.I’m quietly confident. If you look at our group it is very, very tough. The group has similarities to that we had in Germany. We are going in again as underdogs, but the difference now is that we are not the unknown quantity we were last time. I’m quietly confident we will go to the World Cup in the best possible shape and condition and hopefully give it a real shake like we did last time.

I’m quietly confident we will go to the World Cup in the best possible shape and condition and hopefully give it a real shake like we did last time.

Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer 

 

You obviously know Germany very well given your background and also having played there for a number of seasons. Will that mean something extra to you personally in South Africa?Definitely. I was fortunate to play against Germany in the 2005 Confederations Cup which was a special moment given it is the country of my heritage and my mum and dad’s birthplace. I think this will be even more special. Nothing beats playing in a World Cup as you are representing your country, you’re playing on the biggest stage on the planet and there are hundreds of millions of people watching around the world. To have the opportunity to play against Germany, and hopefully get a good result, would be a dream come true.

Any special connections with players in the German squad, or the other teams in the group?I am friendly with (German defender) Robert Huth. It would be nice to come up against Robert and try and get one over him! I also obviously know (Ghana and Fulham defender) John Paintsil but we have been pretty quite about it. We have though commented about finishing one/two in the group and having a laugh about it. To know two of my group opponents is pretty special.

The Australian team had an amazing defensive record in qualifying. What do you put that down to?I think we were very organised as a team and very determined. We defended from the front and I think everyone was so determined from day one to qualify. Obviously if you are solid at the back and don’t concede then you give yourself every chance of winning matches.

The squad is very similar to the Germany 2006 squad, which obviously means the team has experience but a number of players are now over 30. Is it better to have that level of experience or younger legs?We definitely have more experience than four years ago and statistically experience helps you more so than anything else. This time around we also have a larger pool of players to call on. Hopefully that will keep us in very good stead throughout the World Cup.

We definitely have more experience than four years ago and statistically experience helps you more so than anything else.

Mark Schwarzer 

 

Any thoughts for your career plans in the medium term?I have another year on my contract at Fulham. I would like to stay beyond that. Obviously at this time of your career it's a case of staying on top of your game and performing week-in, week-out. I want to keep playing at the highest level as long as possible and if I can stay at Fulham for that period of time then that would be great.

Similarly for the national team, is it a case of playing for as long as possible?I have no aspirations to stop. My determination and enthusiasm is very much still there, and if anything has grown over the years. At my age, you know that it is all over too quickly, and that you can never go back. I want to make the most of it, stay at the top, represent my country and play at the highest level as long as possible.

71 days to go World Cup 2010

During the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ finals, the highest recorded TV audience for a single game in one nation was 71.5 million viewers in China PR for the group game between Japan and Croatia.

China - despite failing to qualify - also accounted for the most overall viewers (3.98 billion), followed by Brazil, Vietnam and Germany, with Asia contributing 34.2 per cent. Europe's cumulative audience was 5.33 billion, with Germany and Italy accounting for 31.5 per cent of that total.

The Final attracted the biggest global audience with 607.9 million in-home viewers across 214 countries. There were over 73,000 hours of dedicated programming, a 76.4 per cent increase on 2002. It if had been shown non-stop on just one channel, so much coverage would have taken over eight years to broadcast.