Fútbolita

Hello Futbolitas! We are into the Quarter Finals fo the 2010 World Cup already, I really don’t know where all the time has gone too. Its been a totally amazing and a grand memorable time for myself and all South-Africans. Im going to do a quick summary and stats update, as well as include some pictures . Bafana didn’t go through to the round 16, but they beat France and drew on the opening day with Mexico, with Tshabalala scoring one of the greatest goals this World Cup. The opening was phenomenal, with so many people behind the Host country. From there on, all other African teams have been eliminated besides the Black stars.

To date, by the end of round 16, there has been 123 goals scored in 56 matches, with an average of 2.20 goals per match. In the group stages, there were 101 goals scored. In the round of 16, there were 22 goals scored in just 8 matches, with germany scoring four of them eliminating England. Brazil and Argentina each scored 3 a piece also making it to the quarters. The quarters are too close to call, and see’s mouth watering matches, including:

Argentina face Germany. Argenitna has alot of travelling fans to SA, and have won the hearts of many locals as well on route to the quarters with there attractive attaccking football, and a forward line-up to scare any opponents, except Germany, who fear no one. Germany are always a force to rekons with and probably the most decipline team in the tournament in terms of keeping football simple. (Fan pictures below from Germany vs ghana game, and Argentina vs Nigeria game)

Brazil and Holland will be a clash of the titans, with both teams having tremondous support in South-Africa. Its too tight to call, even tough Brazil have won the world cup 5 times and the confed cup last year in SA, while holland are known as the great underachievers in football, always having a good team and great build ups to the world cup, yet never won it. Could this be an Orange world cup? (Brazil picture below taken at Brazil versus  Chile & Sandton shopping Mall).

Top goal scorers of the tournament thus far are:

4 goals – David Villa (Spain), Gonzala Higuain (Argentina) & Robert Vittek (Slovakia). Villa & Higuin will have another chance of increasing there goal tally, while Vittek’s Slovakia has been eliminated.

3 goals – Muellur (Germany), Suarez(Uruguay), Fabiano(Brazil), Gyan(Ghana) & Donovan(USA). All of these have the oppurtunity to go for the golden boot and put their team in the semi, except for USA’s Donovan, who were beaten by Ghana.

Update live from South Africa, Signing Off & Waving Flag

South African Futbolita    ¤=====<]

Zizou and amigos played out to a nice 3-3 draw in last night’s “Match of the Stars” to help Haiti. And don’t you agree that it’s tres bien to see Rui Costa, Luis Figo and Edgar David’s Mask on the field again?! Daaaamn, feels like old times. Anyway forty international football stars from across the world joined UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) to play that match against Benfica All Stars. This is the match which Kaka played on behalf of Greaseano cuz’ their Bromance is going out of hand and bros don’t let bros down. Anyway, once again it’s amazing how futbol has transcended all boundaries and reached out to those in need!

“By coming to the stadium people have done a great thing. I am very happy we can do something to help,” said Zizou. Added Louis Van Gaal, who was in charge of the All-Star squad : “This is a very good cause, that’s why there are so many players here. Football is with the people of Haiti.”

van Nistelrooy has switched sides from Madrid to Hamburg (a pity, since we hear he’s one of our dear amiga’s favourite interviewees!) .Granted, he did look a little zoned out at his own presentation but it was all done for the Oranje.

There’s a lot riding on Nistelrooy’s quest to join the national team and only first-team football will give him that chance, seeing that Madrid are very content with Higuain and Benzema. He will remain at Hamburg until his contract ends in 2011. And as the Dutch say… veel succes!

Do not fear, Robinho is not pulling a R.Carlos and getting married again. Instead of showing him looking all gloomy on the bench, we decided that a smiling-and-spoilt Robinho would be the better option for your precious eyes.

Anyway, A Douche has declared that he wants to take a pay cut, return to Santos and play regular football again. He’s looking at a Beckham/Milan deal where Oil City continues to pay his wages while he parties at the Catwalk club in Rio. Ah cara, sei lá…! Sao Paulo better be ready for the return of Robinho and his entourage.

via AP, Globo

via EFE

Wasn’t Van der Vaart unhappy at Madrid? Judging from la foto above, you can kinda tell. Homie ain’t smiling like his million-dollar teammates. Lighten up layday!

“The coach has told me that in principal I am going to be on the substitutes’ bench. There is no reason for me to stay at the club,” he said.

Well, at least he was vocal about his plans. In the meantime, wife Sylvie can help out by hosting more UEFA events involving talking balls.

“The important thing for me now is to play regularly, I don’t want to lose my place in the Dutch national team to go to South Africa. Real Madrid wants to recover the money they paid for me, but I understand that any club who is interested in signing me is not going to be pressured.

“The clubs who want to buy me are waiting for Madrid to drop the price,” he added.