FIFA 2010 World Cup Soccer: Top 5 fans from Stage 1 in South Africa
All experts in the field of football acknowledge the fact that a good fan support and home ground benefits a lot in the team’s performance. Even if we compare the statistics of countries hosting the World Cup and their performances in them; it would be clearly noted that the World Cup countries have performed better at home as you will notice that the countries that have won the World Cup at home is rather high. With the World Cup being held for the first time in South Africa, the atmosphere is a buzz to say the least. The football crazy continent was stormed up to and around the stadium to overwhelm the world with the sound of the vuvuzela’s. Here is a look at the performance of fans and their support given to their teams in the first stage of the World Cup.
No- 5- Algeria
The Algerians have been downright outrageous. From relaying messages throughout the stadium to summoning massive images with the help of each other, Algerian fan support has been great. They have actually climbed right on top of the flood lights in the stadium to ensure that the country’s flag stays on at the highest place in the stadium, which actually happened in the match against Slovenia. Match officials and stadium’s security staff were actually so scared of attempting to bring them down that they later allowed Algerian fans to stay up there till the end of the match.
No- 4- England
Where ever they go, the English fans have never disappointed. They have always been one of the most supportive of their team and have accomplished that in fashion. From designing elaborate and creative mascots to producing well orchestrated slogans and chants, English fans are considered as the most passionate lovers of the game and their country. This year, they were indeed disappointed by their teams’ under-par performance and with poor draws against minnows in the tournament. There were instances when they booed their team instead of cheering. Their hot-headed English Striker Wayne Rooney did respond to them but that is just another part of showing how vocal their presence is. Anyhow, England’s dull performance up till now has lead to one good thing and that is been reported by media that so far no English fan has been arrested or caught in mischief in South Africa. Considering that the English fans are also the most violent perpetrators in the name of football, they have behaved well in South Africa 2010.
No- 3- Netherlands
Netherlands and their fans started their World Cup campaign in style with a 2-0 victory over Denmark. It’s usually the Dutch-men and the “Dutchmen” that spark up controversies and overshadow the supporters of other teams; however this time round, it was the Dutch women that starred in the stadium, completely taking up all the stardom and glamour in South Africa. It so happened that later they were arrested by local police despite their patriotic claims that they were supporting their team. FIFA claimed that they were in fact commercializing for a brand of beer. The controversy sparked in the 2-0 win against Denmark, while most of the 36 women have been cleared but banned from entering the Stadium again during this year’s World Cup proceedings.
No- 2- Ghana
Ghana should naturally enjoy the spoils of their support as not only do they originate from Africa that has progressed to the next level but as their country is in the African continent itself. The fans have a much easier task of piling in and storming support for the African team. Their marvellous late victory over Serbia clearly showed that fans can help a lot in intense moments. The Ghanaians are also known for their vibrant colours and traditional dancing.
No- 1- South Africa
The ‘Bafana Bafana’ entered the tournament with style, scoring the opening goal and finished in similar fashion, beating France with a score of 2-1. They hosted the tournament so naturally that they enjoyed the privileges of playing at home grounds with loads of support. Still, it would be unfair to omit the extra efforts put in by the fans as they made the already wild event even more statically ecstatic. One can never forget the moment when the South African striker Siphiwe Tshabalala put his team in the lead against Mexico at Johannesburg Soccer City Stadium.
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