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59 days to go
ndoubtedly one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, Dino Zoff captained Italy on 59 occasions and to FIFA World Cup™ glory in 1982.
That triumph came during a 15-year international career that saw Zoff amass 112 caps in total to leave only Paolo Maldini and Fabio Cannavaro ahead of him in the Azzurri's all-time appearance records. Zoff made his international debut in the quarter-finals of the 1968 European Championships as Italy went all the way and won the tournament on home soil.
At club level, he was part of an all-conquering Juventus side that picked up six Serie A titles as well as the UEFA Cup in 1977 and Coppa Italia (twice). As a coach, Zoff took the Azzurri to the brink of glory at UEFA EURO 2000, only to suffer final heartache against hosts France
ndoubtedly one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, Dino Zoff captained Italy on 59 occasions and to FIFA World Cup™ glory in 1982.
That triumph came during a 15-year international career that saw Zoff amass 112 caps in total to leave only Paolo Maldini and Fabio Cannavaro ahead of him in the Azzurri's all-time appearance records. Zoff made his international debut in the quarter-finals of the 1968 European Championships as Italy went all the way and won the tournament on home soil.
Ticket increases South African excitement
The Soweto township in Johannesburg gained international notoriety during South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. However today, Soweto was the perfect backdrop for the launch of the 2010 FIFA World South Africa™ Ticket.
The recently-launched Ticket will be available in a week’s time when the fifth and the last ticketing sales phase kicks-off on 15 April. About 500,000 tickets will be available for a total of 63 out of the 64 FIFA World Cup matches. The ticket has unique features and a barcode. It also contains information about the venue, the match number, match date, seat category, kick-off time, price, fixture, name of the applicant, colour sector and seat location.
Thami Segrotho, who hails from Soweto, was among the first to see the new ticket at the launch at Maponya Mall. Clearly impressed, he has now vowed to be among the first ones to get their hands on the ticket when it is made available to the general public next week.
He plans to use the over-the-counter sales initiative that will commence in South Africa next week. This will take place in all the nine host cities around the host country. South African residents can also purchase the tickets at the FNB branches and selected Shoprite/Checkers stores.
For the global audience, however, the system will remain the same. Fans will have to log on toFIFA.com to purchase a ticket. Segrotho did not buy a ticket in any of the last four phase and is therefore enthusiastic about being afforded yet another opportunity to purchase a ticket.
I cannot afford not to be part of this event as I think it will be the last FIFA World Cup to be hosted in my country in my lifetime.
Thami Segrotho, Soweto resident.
“For a while, I have been indecisive on whether to attend the matches at the stadiums, but after considerations, I changed my mind. I cannot afford not to be part of this event as I think it will be the last FIFA World Cup to be hosted in my country in my lifetime. A lot has been said in the papers about it, but for us, it’s about being part of history and showcasing the passion that our people have for football,” Segrotho said.
Amos Gopane saw the ticket on television, two hours after it was unveiled. He too was impressed with what he saw.
“After I saw it, I think I was even more excited about this World Cup. I know that many South Africans are looking forward to this tournament, it’s a big moment for all of us and for our country,” Gopane said. He is one of the thousands of applicants who will queue at several Ticketing Centres in South Africa, in order to book their seat in history.
Speaking at the launch of the ticket this morning, FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke said he was anticipating a last-rush from fans when the fifth ticketing sales phase open.
“We said from day one when South Africa won the rights to win the FIFA World Cup that we can’t have empty seats. I’m very happy with the progress that has been made in the last four ticketing phases. What is important now is to seal the remaining tickets. This is the first FIFA World Cup in Africa, this is Africa’s first opportunity to show the rest of the world that it’s also capable to successfully host events of this magnitude. In a country where less than half of the population has access to internet, the over-the-counter sales have come as a welcomed innovation.
CEO of the 2010 Organising Committee, Danny Jordaan said his country’s commitment to leave a lasting memory in the minds of those who will make the trip to South Africa in June/July. “We don’t want the (World Cup) experience to end at the stadiums or the match venues, we want to go beyond that. People who visit our country must be able to enjoy many aspects of our culture and visit many iconic sites,” Jordaan said.
South Korea will measure success only by the round
For South Korea, asia’s most successful world cup team,the priority for this year’s world cup is all about achieving place in the second round on foreign soil.
The 2002 co-hosts reached the semifinals at home but, going in to a seventh straight world cup and an eighth over all,the team has mever progressed past the group stage overseas.
The south Koreans achieved their first win at a world cup in 2002 , and there frist win overseas came in Germany four years ago.
Despite being drawn in a competitive group with Argentina, Nigeria and Greece, hopes are high that a South Korean squad led by Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung can build on recent progress.
“Our frist targetis to reach the round of 16 and, should we make it, we will definitely strive to go one better,” South Korea groups is one of the toughest groups is one of the toughest group but we are confident that we can complete our mission.
One sure thing at Uruguay – Diego Forlan
With Forlan playing up front, Uruguay cannot be completely written off at the World Cup in South Africa, although the teams is unlikely to recapture the glory years of 1930 and 1950.
Forlan, a two-time top scorer in Europe is expected to spearhead Uruguay’s attack along with Luis Suarez. And the teammates will get their frist chance to shine against France on June 11 the opening day of the tournament.
Host South Africa and Mexico are also in group A.
“Big games, big teams,” Forlan said “France has experienced players,very good ones. Mexico they play very good football, and South Africa is the local team, a strong team with a lot of players playing in Europe.
“You never know what’s going to happen.”
Two-time world champion Uruguay was the last team to qualify for the 32-team tournament. And as it did in 2002, the South American team scraped through in a playoff, beating Costa Rica for the final spot.
Uruguay won the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and then claimed a second title in 1950.
“We respect every team, but in football you never know what’s going to happen,” said Forlan, who plays for Atletico Madrid. “And I think we have a good team, also.”
Forlan also played for Uruguay at the 2002 World Cup, but with experience he has become a better developed player, distributing the ball more than he used to as well as scoring.
Perhaps the most exciting young player on the team is midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, who was sold by Uruguayan club Nacional to Ajax in January for euro million ($5.5 million)
Host South Africa and Mexico are also in group A.
“Big games, big teams,” Forlan said “France has experienced players,very good ones. Mexico they play very good football, and South Africa is the local team, a strong team with a lot of players playing in Europe.
“You never know what’s going to happen.”
Two-time world champion Uruguay was the last team to qualify for the 32-team tournament. And as it did in 2002, the South American team scraped through in a playoff, beating Costa Rica for the final spot.
Uruguay won the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and then claimed a second title in 1950.
“We respect every team, but in football you never know what’s going to happen,” said Forlan, who plays for Atletico Madrid. “And I think we have a good team, also.”
Forlan also played for Uruguay at the 2002 World Cup, but with experience he has become a better developed player, distributing the ball more than he used to as well as scoring.
Perhaps the most exciting young player on the team is midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, who was sold by Uruguayan club Nacional to Ajax in January for euro million ($5.5 million)
Lodeiro was a key member of Uruguay’s team at last year’s Under-20 World Cup in Egypt. He was called up in late 2009 and started in the playoff victory over Costa Rica. The goalkeeper seems certain to be Fernando Muslera, the starter at Lazio. And the backline should include Maximiliano Pereira, Andres Scotti of ColoColo, Diego Lugano of Fenerbache and Martin Caceres of Juventus.
