Socceroos take shape for 2010

From The Age


THE day after Australia controversially crashed out of the World Cup, departing coach Guus Hiddink briefed a handful of journalists — this writer included — on the pitfalls that lay in wait as the Socceroos sought to establish themselves in Asia.

Hiddink said that Australia had harnessed its best players in a generation, that he had got them super fit and that they had extracted every ounce they could out of themselves in reaching the last 16 before going out in heartbreaking fashion to ultimate champion Italy.

The need to replenish the talent pool was great, he warned, pointing out that of the 23 players he took to Germany only 14 or 15 were up to the standard needed to compete at the highest level.

Fifteen months later, after an interregnum presided over by his former assistant Graham Arnold, Hiddink is due to be replaced by another Dutchman, Dick Advocaat, whose appointment will be officially announced within weeks, if not days.

Of his own time at the helm, Arnold said some of the criticism he wore, particularly during the Asian Cup campaign, was from people who just wanted to "hammer Australian coaches".
"I've worn a lot of flak because I'm Australian, at the end of the day. Australia makes and develops good coaches but some people think that because you're Australian you don't belong here."


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Peru's National Soccer Team Prepares for 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Rounds

From Living in Peru

(LIP-ir) -- With just a little over a month before Peru's National Soccer Team plays Paraguay to begin elimination rounds for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the team begins its practices.

Before Peru's National Team plays Paraguay, it will have two more friendlies, one against Colombia and the other against Bolivia.

Peru's new coach, José Guillermo "Chemo" Del Solar, brought his team together today for a light practice. Peru's local players and international players which arrived to Lima last night all participated in the practice.

Peru's La Republica newspaper reported today that players in Europe, such as Paolo Guerrero - HSV striker and Claudio Pizarro - Chelsea striker, would be arriving to Peru throughout this week.

The players on Peru's National Selection, which are currently practicing at the Villa Deportiva Nacional (Videna) are: Leao Butrón, Diego Penny, José Carvallo, Amilton Prado, John Galliquio, Juan Jayo, Rainer Torres, Pedro García, Damián Ismodes, William Chiroque and Juan Gonzáles Vigil.



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Fifa to assess Zim World Cup role

From BBC

A delegation of officials from Fifa are to travel to Zimbabwe to assess the country's capacity to host visitors and teams for the 2010 World Cup.

Though the tournament will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe were hoping to play a role in accommodating those travelling to the event.

Karikoga Kaseke, the chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), said:

"Fifa have specifically requested to see hotels in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls as well as other service facilities in the tourism sector."

Zimbabwe, which plans to invest $20m on hotels and stadiums, is one of the host country's neighbours hoping to host training camps, accommodation and fan parks for teams and visitors during the tournament.


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American Samoa, first nation eliminated in World Cup qualifying, outscored 38-1

From The Candadian Press

APIA, Samoa (AP) — American Samoa, the first of the 204 teams in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup to be eliminated, completed its matches with a 4-0 loss to Tonga on Saturday in the Oceania region.

American Samoa finished 0-4 in Group B and was outscored 38-1. American Samoa was outscored 34-1 in going 0-4 in qualifying for the 2006 tournament and set FIFA marks for futility in 2002 qualifying, when it was outscored 57-0 and allowed a record 31 goals against Australia.

Pio Palu scored twice for Tonga (1-2), fourth in Group B behind the Solomon Islands (3-0), and Vanuatu and Samoa (2-1 each). Substitute Godwin Bebeu and Henry Faarodo scored second-half goals as the Solomons won 2-0 over Vanuatu.

In Group A, Teariki Mateariki scored a pair of goals to lead the Cook Islands over Tuvalu 4-1, and Osea Vakatalesau got two goals in Fiji's 4-0 victory over Tahiti.


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