**BRAZIL CLOBBERS TANZANIA 5-1
Robinho and Ramires both scored braces, while Kaka added a 5th in their rout of Tanzania. The Brasileiros are favorites, along with Spain to win the Cup, and today's performance (although against a weaker side) will prop them up as they head into their first match that counts. The Tanzanians managed to pull back one so as not to be blanked.
**ENGLAND UNIMPRESSIVE AGAINST PLATINUM STARS
England has struggled as of late, and losing their captain Rio Ferdinand to injury hasn't helped. The Three Lions kept a clean sheet over the Nigerian side, with Defoe, Joe Cole, and Wazza scoring for England. They're really going to have to step it up over the Americans in their first match.
After yesterday's Soccer Aid extravaganza in Manchester, Scottish footy fans indicated that 65% of them will not be supporting England in the WC. The Scots have long felt that the EPL robs the thunder from the Scottish Premier League...well...it's a two-horse race every year just like la liga...
Anyway...some of the comments on twitter were actually quite funny. After Robbie Williams' England side lost to the Rest of the World on penalties, one such Scot noted:
"Big surprise...England loses on penalties" (referring to being dumped out of the two previous WCs on pens). He then added, "Go USA!!!" hehe
**WC INJURY UPDATE:
Oranje player, Arjen Robben, will be returning to the Dutch side for the WC; the injury was not as serious as previously thought.
American Jozy Altidore has been training with the USA after mildly spraining his ankle this week. Haven't heard if he'll be featuring for the Yanks in their opener against England.
Didier Drogba was back in the Cote d'Ivoire camp after undergoing surgery on his broken forearm. Whether it's a morale move by manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, or he is contemplating entering he fray (I hope not) remains to be seen. Without him...they will struggle.
**NIGERIANS STAMPEDE IN FRIENDLY MATCH
Having a WC on a developing continent was always going to have issues. I think it's wonderful that Africa was chosen to be the host, but it does highlight the stark differences between their population and the WC stars. Wayne Rooney makes more in a millisecond that most Nigerians could make in 20 years.
So what happened? Some fans from Nigeria stampeded to get into a friendly with Mexico, all waving photocopied tickets. The security tried to hold them back, but 15 were injured in the melee. SA officials have stressed that this was an isolated incident and they will beef up security at the gates from now on...
I can't judge these people. If I lived in Nigeria and didn't have employment and the World's best footy players came to my town...I would be stampeding in to see them as well!
**FRENCH JUNIOR MINISTER SCOLDS FRENCH NT FOR HOTEL CHOICE
Everyone with a title always has something to say. Rama Yade, the junior sports minister of France scoffed at the French NT's choice of hotels, a luxurious $595/night resort on the Indian Ocean. She told a radio station that if France dumps out early, "the national team will have to answer for this." She gave Spain as an example of frugality...they are staying at a University campus.
But French NT players weren't biting on her objections:
"Many people must be jealous of this hotel," midfielder Alou Diarra said. "They are ideal conditions ... we have very good lodgings, but that's not a secret for anyone, anymore. (now the fans know where to find them)
"I think Rama Yade is learning. Let's just say the sports minister has her things to say, [she] has her point of view. We'll block it out, we don't want to mix sport and politics," he said. "We're concentrating on the tournament. Our objective is to be ready to play Uruguay on Friday."
My question for Rama Yade would be..."where are YOU staying while at the World Cup?" My guess would be in a five-star hotel. Hypocrite.
**WIGAN BOSS DAVE WHELAN SAYS SIR ALEX FERGUSON IS IRREPLACEABLE
If Sir Alex needs to renegotiate his contract, he should get Wigan Athletic boss, Dave Whelan, to help him in the process. He was interviewed by soccernet and here are his quotes:
"There was talk of Sir Alex retiring last year and the year before and he hasn't done it," Whelan told Soccernet. "He is just unbelievable in what he does.
"His energy, his enthusiasm, his passion for the game and for Manchester United has not waned. He is still the first at the training ground every morning. I've always found him the perfect gentleman, and I hope he stays on as manager of Manchester United for another four or five years.
"He still produces fabulous football teams, playing fantastic football, and for me he is the most important person at that club.
"Manchester United have remained right at the top...and it's down to only one man."
Whelan believes Ferguson has outstripped Sir Matt Busby's achievements and can now be considered the best the game has seen.
"I feel he is the best manager ever," he said. "He has emulated Sir Matt, surpassed Sir Matt, and even at his age he retains such incredible energy - his enthusiasm for the game burns just as bright as ever.
"It is going to be enormously hard to fill Sir Alex's boots, I can tell you. I can see someone like Jose Mourinho coming to Manchester United, and he would certainly be colourful, and it would make life interesting, but there is only one Ferguson."
Whelan and Ferguson in 1999
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