Thursday's World Cup round-up

An attempt by a New Zealand lawmaker to create a public holiday to mark the achievements of the country's team in the World Cup team has been rejected by the nation's parliament.
Labour Party minister Trevor Mallard tried to introduce a bill that would have created a public holiday after New Zealand's final group match against Paraguay on Thursday. 
The All Whites can seal their place in the last 16 with a win, and even a draw may be good enough. 
The game will be shown in the early hours of the morning in New Zealand and Mallard said loyal football fans deserved a day off as a reward for supporting their team. 
However, government members opposed the introduction of the bill and it was thrown out of the house in barely 15 seconds.

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Wednesday's World Cup round-up

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has prepared his players for the deafening sound of vuvuzelas - by inviting fans to attend the team's training.
Ahead of his side's opening World Cup game against Spain, Hitzfield organised a public training session knowing that spectators would bring their plastic horns.
"It is good for the players to be prepared for what they will hear on the pitch," he explained.

Matthew Upson is certain that team-mate Wayne Rooney will soon end his England goal drought.
Rooney has found the net in only one of his last eight internationals and has not scored for England since September. 
But West Ham defender Upson said: "It will happen. Wayne's movement is great. He is a class player and he is totally gifted. 
"He just needs to relax, play his game and the goals will come because he is top drawer." 

New Zealand hero Winston Reid believes his goal against Slovakia justified his decision to play for the All Whites.
Reid, 21, opted to represent the country of his birth rather than Denmark, where he was brought up from the age of 10.
"For a long time I have been torn between the two countries. I was asking myself if I was a Kiwi or a Dane," said Reid, who won 10 caps for Denmark's Under-21s.
"This is the biggest stage in the world for football and that has to be the most important goal of my life."

Cristiano Ronaldo would have happily swapped his man of the match award for three points against Ivory Coast.
Ronaldo was impressive for Portugal in their Group G opener, but his team were unable to break the deadlock and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. 
The former Manchester United star said: "It's always good to win individual awards. But if I could change it for anything, I would change it for three points. 
"But I would say that nothing is lost. This has happened with England and with other teams."

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South Africa - New Zealand

Rainbow Nation is under a cloud. Team is feeling the pressure after failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since the end of apartheid. They were playing WC qualifications, but results counted only for Cup of Nations, because Bafana Bafana directly qualified for World Championship as the host country. Only six points from seven games in group made a negative atmosphere in the country. Now, qualification for the semi-finals on Confederations Cup is the minimum target. Defence-minded coach Joel Santana is unpopular with the media, while two very important players, Benny McCarthy and Nasief Morris are moved from the squad ‘cause arguing with Santana. The hosts took only a point from Iraq game and Santana is accused again for defensive tactic against outsiders. Another draw would put them in the clueless position, facing the prospect of having to beat Spain to reach the semi-finals. Steven Pienaar is expected to start and to add some much-needed creativity to the side. Skipper Aaron Mokoena should recover from a shin problem.

New Zealand was considered as the weakest team on the competition, even before it started. Opening game didn’t change that impression. The All Whites are winless in their last six matches, with five defeats and one draw (Botswana, 0-0 on the road). They have lost all seven of their Confederations Cup games, scoring two goals and conceding 22. Coach Ricki Herbert says his side has a "burning desire" to win at least their first point in the finals of one Fifa competition. In the previous game, against Spain, squad managed to concede four goals for 24 minutes! Fortunately, Spanish side was satisfied with that, otherwise would be a real shame. The biggest problem for New Zealand is they used to play against teams like Thailand, Fiji, or New Caledonia. They planed to attack Spain(!?), before that in friendly scored three times against Italy (defeat 3-4), simply haven’t learnt to respect stronger. I expect from them attacking attitude, again. The main problem will be the “rusty” defence line, this time even weaker, without the skipper Ryan Nelsen.

South Africa is a big favorite (again). Santana will try to balance between his understanding of football logic and fans’ expectations about the first eleven. Usually, it means a big problem. They will attack, but New Zealand won’t defend. My choice is goals, before home win. Sunderlands offer 1.95, Expekt and the others 1.75. Over.

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