Bridging the widest gap in modern football

The game between England and German brought back memories of 1966 for the goal that never was, a looping Lampard effort that struck the bar and landed well beyond the goal line. These dicey couple of seconds highlighted an uncomfortable truth, that in more than four decades, the beautiful game has not changed a bit in the kind of controversy it courts. But as video technology advances, the gap between what the viewers see at home and the referee on the the pitch is widening at an alarming pace, to such as extent that Video replays at the stadia is no longer a luxury at the on-going FIFA 2010 world cup in South Africa, as the football governing body attempts to drag a dark wool over the frequent gaffes by the men in black.

While goal line technology has been at the fore front of those advocating the introduction of technology, the use of video replays tackle almost all the issues, including Tevez's goal against Mexico. And the fear that the flow of the game will be disrupted is in practice insignificant. As long as only the referee reserves the right to seek clarification from the fourth official, who would have a "sony" HD tube in front of him, play would only be delayed for seconds. This enhanced referee's perception, hawk eye you might want to call it, will erase most of the avoidable gaffes.

In addition, professional falls employed by football players to con the officials would gradually fade from the game as the players become increasingly aware that the fourth official possesses a technology to expose these fraudulent devices, which should serve as a deter-ant. High stake games have suffered enough, particularly from the antics of deceitful players. Video technology is so integral to the enjoyment of football and there is no reason why the referee should be left out. Natural in a modern sense implies the use of technology in one form or the other.

African football teams searching for its missing link in South Africa

The game between Brazil and Ivory Coast at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg was billed as a true test of Brazil's strength after the Korean game, but in the end it was a casual stroll in the park for the Selecao, as a Fabiano brace propelled Dunga's team to a comfortable 3 - 1 win. With Cameroon already eliminated, Nigeria and South Africa precariously poised for ouster, only Ghana has gotten results worth celebrating across the continent. This in itself is disappointing because the Black stars have struggled to a large extent to create goals.

Ghana has played more than 90 minutes of football with a player advantage in South Africa against Serbia and Australia, two teams with less than an average pedigree at this level and their two goals have been spot kick. Nothing else from open play! A lose against the Germans, a plausible possibility, creates a back door opportunity for Serbia or Australia to leap frog them into the next round. It is really that bad for African teams with the possibility of all teams being knocked out after the first round. Nigeria had no shot on goal against Argentina after 60 minutes of football.

African players are often light weighted in technical abilities, but the missing link for African teams in 2010 FIFA world cup appear to be the absence of competence from the bench. The performance of the hurriedly hired coaches have been abysmal. The tendency to mould African teams after European style is failing grandly. An important reason is the short window to groom the players, but equally is the fact that you can't teach a senile dog new tricks. African players lack tactical discipline and are mentally unprepared to play complex formations, but they make up for this by their vibrancy, which is hardly in display nowadays. At the world cup, playing to your strength in a native system is the best tactics for African teams. Play simple, robust and fast paced football.

Argentina is looking good for the FIFA world cup, but ......

After a dominant attacking display against Nigeria and South Korea, Argentina is firmly on top as one of the favourites for the FIFA 2010 World cup in South Africa. Up front, the talent is awesome with Tevez, Higuain, Di Maria and Messi flooding forward in recurring waves of attacking forays. The first hat trick highlight the threat, but the crunch times lie ahead, a stage where the different sections of the team will be tested by opponents with tougher pedigree.

It will be interesting to see how Argentine team maintain shape when they are predominantly on the receiving end and the style of the teams in group B has not helped in this regard. The tactical abilities of the previous opponents where never fashioned to test the weakness of Maradona's team. An area that needs patching is the left side with Di Maria and Heinze seemingly always together in advance positions with only a few yards between them. The width of space behind them can easily be exploited by world cup teams who appreciate this loophole. In addition, how does the static central defence formation cope when teams have assess to their bye-line. The mobility between Walter Samuel and Demichelis has been narrow so far.

Maradona's team have shown enough ability to be rated among the teams to get to the last four. Although there is a lot of football to be played, it is already looking like a great tournament.

FIFA 2010 World Cup: What a start!

Though the favourite Spain is yet to take to the pitch, the nervy start to this year's FIFA world cup in South Africa is a good sign of what to expect in the later stages. Apart from the Germans, England, Brazil and Italy have all had tamed performances as result of resilient opponents, which is exciting for the game. The nerves appear to be a fine testament to the desire to do well in this competition. And the men in black should be commended. After the first games, the referees should have a thumbs up for their determination to return "contact" back to the beautiful game which after-all a contact game. Their haste to overlook professional fouls has given the play a better flow.

It is true that the results have not been decisive, but this ensure the prospect of a mouth watering second round of games in all the groups. And shape, which invariably defines balance is poised to become the most important factor and in this regard, Brazil and Germany stand shoulder high above the rest (apart from Spain!). England lack a good goal keeper and the central defence is suspect. Argentina's weak back-line was exposed by Nigeria and Germany's inexperience is sure to be striped bare in the later stages. Spain's main headache is contending with a cautious Brazil.

FIFA 2010 World cup in South Africa is exhibiting a tilt that is slanting towards Brazil to make it their sixth title.