Ireland proved beyond all reasonable doubt yesterday that they deserve to be regarded as the second best team in the world at present.
Eight days after running South Africa ragged, they battered the Wallabies into submission. Eddie O'Sullivan's side made it abundantly clear amid a November storm that their epic triumph over the Springboks was no fluke, no flash in the pan.
With just 10 months to go until the World Cup they are reaching the height of their powers and on this evidence, only one nation can live with them.
What a terrible pity that when Brian O'Driscoll and Co play their last ever match at Lansdowne Road next weekend, New Zealand are not the opposition.
Because if the All Blacks are blazing a trail at the summit of the international game, Ireland are gamely giving chase.
It would be entirely fitting for the Kiwis to end their latest European crusade in Dublin, for a match which could be billed as the very best of north v south.
They would start as favourites, but as an experienced team who have several strings to their bow and ample stocks of confidence, Ireland would take them to the very edge.
Instead, it is the Pacific Islands who must try to stem the green tide and they cannot fancy their chances.
Given the trials and tribulations experienced by England and France in recent weeks, O'Sullivan's team are Europe's form horse - the best bet for the Six Nations title. Unless injuries intervene, they must start the championship as nailed-on title favourites and genuine Grand Slam contenders.
In appalling conditions yesterday, Ireland used their heads and settled for winning 'ugly', but still managed to sprinkle some gold dust on an otherwise drab, grey occasion.
Given the resourcefulness, cohesion and power of the Australian defence, the hosts' ability to score two tries amid driving rain was an achievement in itself.
While the backs had called the tune against South Africa by exposing their aggressive, blitz defence, it was the Irish pack who put paid to the Wallabies' hopes.
In a spiteful contest up front, flanker Neil Best stood head and shoulders above all those around him.
Having done enough to keep his place at the expense of Llanelli's Lion, Simon Easterby, the 26-year-old Ulsterman was always in the thick of the action, never taking a backward step.
At one stage in the first half, he flattened Lote Tuqiri with a tackle of startling ferocity and if his defensive work was good, so was his running game and his handling at the lineout.
The extent of Ireland's dominance of possession and territory in the first half was remarkable. After Stirling Mortlock had kicked Australia into a 3-0 lead, the home side commenced a lengthy siege, pounding the Wallabies' 22, searching for that elusive opening.
They found it in the 12th minute, when a multi-phase assault ended with Geordan Murphy apparently touching down in the right corner, only for video replays to show he had knocked on. No matter, Ronan O'Gara kicked the subsequent penalty and back came Ireland again.
From a close-range lineout in the 26th minute, the visitors' were finally stretched too far. Gathering possession on the 22, O'Gara chipped to the left touchline where Denis Hickie collected the ball, jinked in-field and burrowed over to mark his international comeback in fine style.
Three minutes before the break, Ireland struck again, with a try that stemmed from Donncha O'Callaghan's theft of Australian lineout ball on the left. Denis Leamy thundered forward and when the ball was shipped right at high speed, Horgan passed inside to Murphy who raced in to touch down.
O'Gara converted and O'Sullivan's side were in the box seat at 15-3. The second half was a grim spectacle as the weather worsened, but still Ireland kept up the attacking momentum.
A further penalty from Mortlock was trumped by two from O'Gara as Australia lost their discipline and composure.
While Ireland played the percentages - kicking for territory astutely, the Wallabies seemingly had no Plan B to fall back on.
Hickie almost struck again in the closing stages, only to be bundled into touch. Another try would have been fully deserved but there was still no doubt about the scale of Irish supremacy.
Their celebrations at the end were distinctly modest, suggesting that beating southern hemisphere teams is no longer a big deal in Dublin. O'Sullivan has moulded a team who are beginning to realise just how good they really are - arguably the finest in their nation's history.
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Friday, November 24, 2006
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Brazil beats Uruguay 4-1 to win Beach Soccer World Cup
Brazil scored two goals in the final period to beat Uruguay 4-1 Sunday and win FIFA's Beach Soccer World Cup.
Buru, Duda, Benjamin and Sidney scored a goal each for the hosts, who clinched their 10th beach soccer title. Brazil was held to third place in FIFA's inaugural tournament last year on Copacabana beach.
Brazil won all six of its matches en route to this year's title, its first since 2004.
Buru scored first in the first period, while Uruguay equalized in the second with a goal by Ricar. Brazil retook the lead still in the second when Benjamin scored, and Duda and Sidney sealed the victory in front of nearly 7,000 fans with goals in the third period.
Defending champion France, upset by Uruguay in the semifinals, finished third by beating Portugal 6-4 in a rematch of last year's final.
This year's tournament had 16 teams, four more than in 2005. More than 40 nations tried to qualify for the competition.
Portugal striker Madjer finished as the tournament's leading scorer with 21 goals.
The championship trophy was presented to Brazil captain Junior Negao by former FIFA president Joao Havelange.
Beach soccer is played on a sand field about 40 meters (120 feet) long and 30 meters (90 feet) wide. Each match is divided into three periods of 12 minutes, and substitutions are unlimited.
Buru, Duda, Benjamin and Sidney scored a goal each for the hosts, who clinched their 10th beach soccer title. Brazil was held to third place in FIFA's inaugural tournament last year on Copacabana beach.
Brazil won all six of its matches en route to this year's title, its first since 2004.
Buru scored first in the first period, while Uruguay equalized in the second with a goal by Ricar. Brazil retook the lead still in the second when Benjamin scored, and Duda and Sidney sealed the victory in front of nearly 7,000 fans with goals in the third period.
Defending champion France, upset by Uruguay in the semifinals, finished third by beating Portugal 6-4 in a rematch of last year's final.
This year's tournament had 16 teams, four more than in 2005. More than 40 nations tried to qualify for the competition.
Portugal striker Madjer finished as the tournament's leading scorer with 21 goals.
The championship trophy was presented to Brazil captain Junior Negao by former FIFA president Joao Havelange.
Beach soccer is played on a sand field about 40 meters (120 feet) long and 30 meters (90 feet) wide. Each match is divided into three periods of 12 minutes, and substitutions are unlimited.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Online Sports Betting in the US
With the recent crack down in the USA on online gambling, Bodog.com is the only online sports book, poker room and casino that this site can recommend. Many sites across the board (like party poker, bet on sports, and 888) have closed their doors to US players. Meanwhile, Bodog has committed to keep servicing the US. Check them out and good luck.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Africa: 2010 World Cup is for Africa to Lose
In the history of the FIFA World Cup, perhaps the 2010 edition has the greatest significance for Africa. For the first time, the continent is scheduled to host the world's most spectacular sporting event. But importantly, the hosting comes with the huge expectation of winning the event. No African nation has won the World Cup and 2010 is seen as providing the continent with the perfect opportunity to re-write history.
Brazil is the only country to have denied the hosting continent the World Cup - in Sweden in 1958 and Korea-Japan in 2002 - hence history largely favours an African victory in 2010. The 2010 encounter has been said to be a make or break for African teams. The reality is that it will be the most demanding campaign for the continent given the high expectations associated with hosting. Some people think home advantage will be an incentive that will instil self-belief in the African campaign. The history of Africa in the World Cup is dominated by under-performances even from cou-ntries with huge potential like Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Nigeria. In many cases, the lack of self-belief and a winning mentality is patently evident in African teams at the World Cup. Even against the giants, they can control matches for long periods with brilliant football but fail repeatedly and miserably to deliver the killer blow only to succumb to the easiest of sucker punches.
Playing in the competition far away from home has each time seen a number of African teams finding the going tough with smaller crowds cheering them on. Hence, they play with less easiness and reassurance. On numerous occasions, African teams have unsuccessfully relented to the psychological and outstanding team strategies which some of their opponents employ. Their advantage in games hinge on the physical strength and endurance. They adopted a 'shoot and hope' game, which most of the time is ineffective.
In 2010, Africa should win the World Cup. In case this does not happen, at least improving on the two quarter-final appearances is a must. It is no longer flattering to state that a continent so rich in world class talent has only two quarter-final appearances at the Mundial. Hosting the World Cup provides the best opportunity to change this sorry record just like South Korea did in 2002 to break Asia's quarter-final record set by North Korea in 1966. If an African team wins the World Cup in 2010, it will be the first time that the title goes outside Europe or South America. The traditional African heavyweights such as Nigeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Cameroon and Ghana are likely to bear the hopes of the continent come 2010. Though times constantly change, it is highly likely one of these countries stand the best chance to win the competition for Africa. They have world class players making waves in the top leagues and competitions in the world and they have the experience.
The under achievement of African teams at the World Cup is bewildering in many ways considering the number of star players from the continent. Moreover, Africa has been an acknowledged power in age-limit competitions like the Olympic, the Under-17 and Under-20. Sadly, the run-away success in top leagues and age-limit competitions by African players and teams has not been transferred to the World Cup.
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Brazil is the only country to have denied the hosting continent the World Cup - in Sweden in 1958 and Korea-Japan in 2002 - hence history largely favours an African victory in 2010. The 2010 encounter has been said to be a make or break for African teams. The reality is that it will be the most demanding campaign for the continent given the high expectations associated with hosting. Some people think home advantage will be an incentive that will instil self-belief in the African campaign. The history of Africa in the World Cup is dominated by under-performances even from cou-ntries with huge potential like Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Nigeria. In many cases, the lack of self-belief and a winning mentality is patently evident in African teams at the World Cup. Even against the giants, they can control matches for long periods with brilliant football but fail repeatedly and miserably to deliver the killer blow only to succumb to the easiest of sucker punches.
Playing in the competition far away from home has each time seen a number of African teams finding the going tough with smaller crowds cheering them on. Hence, they play with less easiness and reassurance. On numerous occasions, African teams have unsuccessfully relented to the psychological and outstanding team strategies which some of their opponents employ. Their advantage in games hinge on the physical strength and endurance. They adopted a 'shoot and hope' game, which most of the time is ineffective.
In 2010, Africa should win the World Cup. In case this does not happen, at least improving on the two quarter-final appearances is a must. It is no longer flattering to state that a continent so rich in world class talent has only two quarter-final appearances at the Mundial. Hosting the World Cup provides the best opportunity to change this sorry record just like South Korea did in 2002 to break Asia's quarter-final record set by North Korea in 1966. If an African team wins the World Cup in 2010, it will be the first time that the title goes outside Europe or South America. The traditional African heavyweights such as Nigeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Cameroon and Ghana are likely to bear the hopes of the continent come 2010. Though times constantly change, it is highly likely one of these countries stand the best chance to win the competition for Africa. They have world class players making waves in the top leagues and competitions in the world and they have the experience.
The under achievement of African teams at the World Cup is bewildering in many ways considering the number of star players from the continent. Moreover, Africa has been an acknowledged power in age-limit competitions like the Olympic, the Under-17 and Under-20. Sadly, the run-away success in top leagues and age-limit competitions by African players and teams has not been transferred to the World Cup.
A few links to some good sites:
week 9 football bets
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Andrea Rincon
Monday, October 23, 2006
S.Africa plans massive road works for World Cup
South Africa unveiled a plan on Monday to ease traffic gridlock and cut road deaths as it prepares to host the 2010 soccer World Cup.
Vehicle accidents are one of the top 10 killers in South Africa, with about half of the estimated 14,000 fatalities each year involving pedestrians who were hit by a vehicle. With the country set to host the world's biggest sporting event in four years, the race is on to improve public transport to ensure the smooth flow of players and spectators to stadiums.
The government is seeking cabinet approval to spend 5 billion rand ($652.1 million) per year between now and 2014 to improve everyday transport. It already has the green light to spend 3.8 million rand to bolster infrastructure specifically for the World Cup.
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South Africa's transport minister said the government plans to widen and restore existing highways and construct new ones, lay rail tracks to link cities and outlying areas, and launch a campaign to discourage car use.
It will also create bicycle and pedestrian paths and improve bus routes in major centres.
Like elsewhere in Africa, South Africa's cities virtually grind to a halt during rush-hour and last week the country's Finance Minister Trevor Manuel described the peak-time commute as "hell."
Some have questioned whether ambitious transit projects will improve life for everyday citizens.
"All of the investment that we want to make on public transportation is not only for 2010 soccer but we want to leave a lasting legacy for the people of this country," Transport Minister Jeff Radebe told reporters at the close of a two-day transport conference in Soweto.
The government has already announced plans to invest about 700 billion rand over the next seven years to revamp the transport and electricity sector and on other major infrastructure projects.
Engineers, urban planners, labour groups, and officials from all tiers of government have backed the strategy, said Radebe.
The government also hopes the new transport strategy will help cut the number of road accidents that result in death and injury by half by 2015.
Vehicle accidents are one of the top 10 killers in South Africa, with about half of the estimated 14,000 fatalities each year involving pedestrians who were hit by a vehicle. With the country set to host the world's biggest sporting event in four years, the race is on to improve public transport to ensure the smooth flow of players and spectators to stadiums.
The government is seeking cabinet approval to spend 5 billion rand ($652.1 million) per year between now and 2014 to improve everyday transport. It already has the green light to spend 3.8 million rand to bolster infrastructure specifically for the World Cup.
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South Africa's transport minister said the government plans to widen and restore existing highways and construct new ones, lay rail tracks to link cities and outlying areas, and launch a campaign to discourage car use.
It will also create bicycle and pedestrian paths and improve bus routes in major centres.
Like elsewhere in Africa, South Africa's cities virtually grind to a halt during rush-hour and last week the country's Finance Minister Trevor Manuel described the peak-time commute as "hell."
Some have questioned whether ambitious transit projects will improve life for everyday citizens.
"All of the investment that we want to make on public transportation is not only for 2010 soccer but we want to leave a lasting legacy for the people of this country," Transport Minister Jeff Radebe told reporters at the close of a two-day transport conference in Soweto.
The government has already announced plans to invest about 700 billion rand over the next seven years to revamp the transport and electricity sector and on other major infrastructure projects.
Engineers, urban planners, labour groups, and officials from all tiers of government have backed the strategy, said Radebe.
The government also hopes the new transport strategy will help cut the number of road accidents that result in death and injury by half by 2015.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Africa seeks to share benefits of 2010 World Cup
South Africa should turn to other African states first to help prepare for FIFA's soccer World Cup in 2010, senior African officials and investors said on Tuesday.
How Africa can tap investment opportunities from the first World Cup to be staged on the continent is a major topic at an investment conference that opened in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
"I think this is an excellent opportunity to ensure that excess skills available in some African countries are incorporated ... rather than outsourcing first from outside the continent," said Bernhard Esau, Namibia's deputy trade and industry minister.
"In Africa employment is a major source of concern. But it seems South Africa would face a dire shortage of 60,000 engineers by the time we stage the World Cup in 2010," Esau told government officials and business executives at the conference.
The conference was co-hosted by the New Partnership for Africa's Development, the Commonwealth Business Council and South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry.
South Africa boasts Africa's biggest economy but is struggling with a serious skills shortage.
Esau said fellow African countries should also share in preparations, and suggested African construction companies be given a chance to bid for the building of new stadiums.
He quoted studies showing that South Africa's hosting of the world's biggest sporting fiesta was expected to generate up to 21.3 billion rand including an estimated 12.7 billion rand in direct spending, and create some 159,000 new jobs.
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"It would be a complete tragedy if the rest of Africa does not feel part of the event," said Austin Gamey, CEO of the Ghana-based Gamey and Gamey Academy of Mediation.
About three million visitors are expected to arrive in South Africa during the three-week tournament.
Paul Baloyi, chief executive of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, said the World Cup offered a good opportunity for strengthening regional integration.
"We need to practically begin to engage with other African countries in and around the event in a manner in which they receive the benefits of this event," Baloyi said.
Other African countries should be involved in "all the key development initiatives, based around infrastructure, tourism and other major services", he said.
Sponsors of the three-day conference included the New Partnership for Africa's Development, the Commonwealth Business Council and South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry.
How Africa can tap investment opportunities from the first World Cup to be staged on the continent is a major topic at an investment conference that opened in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
"I think this is an excellent opportunity to ensure that excess skills available in some African countries are incorporated ... rather than outsourcing first from outside the continent," said Bernhard Esau, Namibia's deputy trade and industry minister.
"In Africa employment is a major source of concern. But it seems South Africa would face a dire shortage of 60,000 engineers by the time we stage the World Cup in 2010," Esau told government officials and business executives at the conference.
The conference was co-hosted by the New Partnership for Africa's Development, the Commonwealth Business Council and South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry.
South Africa boasts Africa's biggest economy but is struggling with a serious skills shortage.
Esau said fellow African countries should also share in preparations, and suggested African construction companies be given a chance to bid for the building of new stadiums.
He quoted studies showing that South Africa's hosting of the world's biggest sporting fiesta was expected to generate up to 21.3 billion rand including an estimated 12.7 billion rand in direct spending, and create some 159,000 new jobs.
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"It would be a complete tragedy if the rest of Africa does not feel part of the event," said Austin Gamey, CEO of the Ghana-based Gamey and Gamey Academy of Mediation.
About three million visitors are expected to arrive in South Africa during the three-week tournament.
Paul Baloyi, chief executive of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, said the World Cup offered a good opportunity for strengthening regional integration.
"We need to practically begin to engage with other African countries in and around the event in a manner in which they receive the benefits of this event," Baloyi said.
Other African countries should be involved in "all the key development initiatives, based around infrastructure, tourism and other major services", he said.
Sponsors of the three-day conference included the New Partnership for Africa's Development, the Commonwealth Business Council and South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
South Africa will be ready by 2010: World Cup chief
Claims that South Africa's preparations for the 2010 World Cup were lagging behind schedule have been dismissed by organising committee chief executive officer Danny Jordaan.
"We are ahead of schedule, and we will be ready," Jordaan told AFP.
His comments came after a volley of criticism in recent weeks from both home and abroad about the readiness of his team to stage the first ever World Cup in Africa.
German football legend Franz Beckenbauer, Jordaan's counterpart in this year's finals, this week became the latest high-profile figure to raise question marks about the tournament saying it was "beset by big problems".
FIFA president Sepp Blatter also revealed last week that he planned to visit South Africa shortly "to fire up the organising committee."
Jordaan dismissed Beckenbauer's comments, saying his criticism was devoid of detail and there was no need to press panic button.
"He is not telling us what the problem is... We will write him a letter so that he can explain what the problem was about," said Jordaan who masterminded South Africa's bid to host the 2010 finals as well as the unsuccessful campaign to host this year's tournament.
Blatter also voiced concerns that construction and renovation of the 10 stadia due to stage the matches had yet to begin in earnest, saying that he had "yet to see the pickaxes and spades needed to start the work."
Jordaan, who said no firm date had been arranged for a meeting with Blatter, deflected suggestions that the stadia would not be ready for kick-off.
"We have the stadia, the infrastructure is in place and we also have the backing of FIFA and the government," he said. "All of us will be working towards the success of the tournament."
Senior municipal officials in the nine host cities accused the South African government and lawmakers last month of hampering their preparations.
The officials told a parliamentary committee they were still in the dark about the amount of money they would receive for the tournament.
They also complained that legislation on tendering contracts threatened to derail their organisation efforts.
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