Latest update about 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa
With less than 40 days before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, here are some important news:
Ghana's inspirational midfielder, Michael Essien is still unsure of being back from injury in time for the World Cup. On the other side, Mikel Arteta is hoping to be named in the squad of 23 players with the Spanish national team.
Every week, new players are added to an already long list of injuries. Some of them are unavailable for the World Cup and others might make it and recover from their injuries just in time. Serbian defender Ivica Dragutinovic has been declared forfeit for the World Cup with an Achille's tendon injury. Ghanaian striker Junior Agogo is out with a knee injury and Greek international Ioannis Amanatidis is also out with a knee injury. Michael Essien would like to play in his second consecutive World Cup but has not yet played for Chelsea since the month of December. '' If I can recover from my injury for the World Cup, it is good but I will not put my career in danger'' said the Ghanaian midfielder.
Roma striker Luca Toni is still hoping to be called by Marcello Lippi for the World Cup. Not called in the selection for several months, the 2006 World Cup champion is in great form with AS Roma and hopes that his hard work will pay off.
World Cup favorite Spain has been hardly hit by injuries at key positions, the kind of injuries that will make Vincente Del Bosque earn his salary and scratch his head. Fernando Torres (knee injury) Andres Iniesta (thigh injury) and Cesc Fabregas (tibia) are on the sidelines. These injuries might be the perfect time for Mikael Arteta to be called up for the squad and represent his country at the senior level.''I work hard to get the manager's attention. I continue to hope. It would great for me to have a chance to be called up by the team,'' Everton midfielder Arteta recently declared.
Xavi Hernandez has also joined the list of injuries but his calf problem that he picked up against Inter Milan seems less serious than expected. He will try to play the last three games of the La Liga season to secure the crown for Barcelona. Let's hope it does not cost his presence in South Africa.
South Africa ,that recently had a dismal game against North Korea ( 0-0 ), started a victorious streak when they beat Jamaica 2-0 in a friendly game. Brazilian manager, Carlos Alberto Pareira, had found optimism after this win. '' We have no limit. We have to advance step by step and be able to pass the group phase. After that, everything is possible. Coach Pareira has also divulged his 29 pre-selected players for the World Cup as the 23 players allowed by FIFA are to be announced on the June 1st.
Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shuaib Walters (Maritzburg Utd)
Defenders: Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa and Innocent Mdledle (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport Utd), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Bryce Moon (PAOK), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Pirates)
Midfielders: Franklin Cale and Surprise Moriri (Sundowns), Andile Jali and Teko Modise (Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham), Thanduyise Khuboni (Arrows), Steven Pienaar (EvertonG), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan)
Forwards Benni MaCarthy (West Ham), Katlego Mashego (Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (Twente)
Numbers and stats
South African border agents were busy last week as they intercepted 27000 counterfeit soccer jerseys at Johannesburg International airport. This find is evaluated at around 800,000 euros. In the last 7 months, the border agents have intercepted for 5 million euros of counterfeit products, related to the World Cup.
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