Friday's World Cup round-up

Oliver Bierhoff says Germany will find it harder to beat Argentina in the World Cup quarter-final than they did to overcome England in the last 16.
Before the tournament began, England were rated more likely than Argentina to lift the coveted trophy.
But Germany general manager Bierhoff said: "It is not going to be easy on Saturday because Argentina are a stronger side than England.
"There were some obvious English weaknesses that had all been there in the group stages.
"Argentina are much more powerful and stronger. They have very few weaknesses - although there must be some."

Huh Jung-moo has resigned as coach of South Korea following their 2-1 defeat by Uruguay in the last 16 at the World Cup.
Under Huh Jung-moo the team advanced out of the group stage for the first time on foreign soil but the coach was eager to "recharge". 
"There are many great and capable ... leaders in our football community. I think they should be given a chance to coach the national team," said Huh Jung-moo. 
"What I felt during the World Cup tournament is that the global football powerhouses, especially the South American teams, performed well and were too much for us." 

Former Argentina coaches Marcelo Bielsa and Jose Pekerman head Japan's wish-list to take over from Takeshi Okada, according to the Japanese press.
Okada is set to retire to a life of writing poetry and farming after the Blue Samurai were knocked out of the World Cup in the last 16.
"I want to get away from soccer," Okada told Japanese television following their penalty shootout loss to Paraguay.
"Even if I was offered a new contract. It won't happen so let's not talk about it."

Meanwhile, Japan defender Yuichi Komano is set to get a medal, even though his missed penalty against Paraguay led to the country's World Cup exit in the last 16.
The governor of Komano's native Wakayama prefecture, Yoshinobu Nisaka, told Japanese media he wanted to give Komano a medal for his efforts in South Africa. 
"We would like to present Komano with a medal for giving people such dreams and emotions," said Nisaka. 

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert was guarded about his future when he arrived home on Friday after steering his team to an unbeaten World Cup campaign.
Although New Zealand failed to progress beyond the first round of the tournament, the team surpassed expectations.
Herbert is reported to have received approaches from clubs in Europe, Asia and the Middle East but would only say there were "a few things" in the air.
He said he was immediately returning to his job as coach of New Zealand's only professional team, the Wellington Phoenix, and expected to have talks about his future career with Football New Zealand.

www.bbc.co.uk

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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