Nigeria Falconets and their rival before the semi final duel- In solidarity prayer.
Nigeria became the first African team to reach the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final as they overcame Columbia with a 2nd-minute goal in Bielefeld. They now face Germany in the same stadium on Sunday, the host nation easing past Korea Republic to give themsleves a chance to lift the trophy for the second time.
The South American team gave their all as rain fell and made conditions difficult. They were restricted to few opportunitites by the powerful Falconets who seized on their early chance and then produced a solid, organised performance to delight their tuneful band of supporters who gradually drowned out both the Colombian cheerleaders and also a rival German band.
There was an amazing start to the game as Nigeria scored within the first two minutes. It began with what was no more than a hopeful punt upfield from captain Joy Jegede, standing just inside the opposition half. The ball landed in the penalty area where the high bounce took it over goalkeeper Paula Forero and against the bar. Only Ebere Orji was alive to the possibilities and she scored easily and without pressure.
Stung into action, Colombia looked for an immediate reply. Yorely Rincon, their most important performer in the absence through suspension of Lady Andrade, tried her luck from outside the area while Daniela Montoya was no closer as she took aim a little later.
A better chance for the South Americans came as a corner was flicked on and fell to captain Natalia Gaitan at the far post. By the time she had the ball under control the angle was tight however and with several defenders standing in the way the shot was deflected and fell kindly to a Nigeria player.
More pressure followed as Colombia worked the ball neatly to their front players. This time Rincon’s shot rose inches over the bar. Then suddenly the pacy west African were striding away on the counter-attack. Esther Sunday’s pass invited Desire Oparanozie to chase and she just got to the ball ahead of the goalkeeper. Natalia Gaitan was back to cover but didn’t get her clearance away and that put Oparanozie back in charge with the goal gaping before she tumbled over Gaitan and fell to the ground. No penalty was awarded.
It remained an even struggle in the second half with both teams struggling to carve out clear opportunities. Nigeria threatened through Desire Oparanozie who muscled her way through and saw a dangerous cross earn a corner. Orji, an impressive performer from first to last, worked a crossing chance which Natalia Ariza missed but Oparanozie could not take advantage.
As the half wore on however Colombia grew in belief and succeeded in pegging their opponents back. In the 73rd minute substitute Katerin Castro, who had proved an effective substitute, shot and the Nigeria goalkeeper struggled to field it cleanly.
That was followed by an outstanding drive from Rincon some way from goal. Alaba Jonathan was beaten but the ball came back off the bar with no one on hand to profit from the rebound.
The game ended with chances at both ends, Orji forcing the ball over from Oparanozie’s pull-back while Jonathan was grateful to hold onto a cross with Colombia’s forwards waiting to take advantage.
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Nigeria flag
Football teaming fans could be finding solace in the Falconets, Nigeria’s women national team who are going for glory, looking forward to a place in this year’s women Under -20 final after the Super Eagle’ dismal performance in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Women footballers are in top form having made drastic leap in the on-going tournament in Germany.
They have already broken a quarter final old jinx by defeating the defending champions, USA, in the round of eight.
The Falconets will today face Colombia in the second semi final match and they know they cannot afford to let the nation down this time.
The ladies of hope maintains a good record in the FIFA U-20 World Cup and they will definitely build on their old record in this year’s competition in Germany.
Thursday’s match will be the first meet between debutants Colombia and Nigeria in a women’s football event with the match time fixed for 5.30pm at the Bielefeld Stadium.
The Falconets, who will be making their first ever semi-final appearance are already fired up with the arrival of the wife of Nigeria’s President, Patience Jonathan alongside the Football Federation interim President, Aminu Magari, who have boosted the confidence of the girls.
According to the team’s coach, Adat Egan, the presence of the two personalities has further gingered the spirit of the girls to go all out for victory. He also pointing out that the girls want to do their best in order not to disappoint their teeming fans at home.
“Before we arrived in Germany, the girls promised that we would get beyond the quarter-final stage, now we are looking to the final itself – that is our target. The information we have been getting from Nigeria is that all the people are very, very happy with the result.
“It will help a lot more girls to take up the game, which can only be good for the development of Nigerian football,” he told FIFA.com.
Falconets going for glory
Steady improvement
A study of the history of the competition shows the Nigerian ladies have undergone steady improvement in recent years. In 2002, they were bottom of their group; in 2004 they finished third, which was enough to take them into the quarter-finals. Two years later, they were second before losing to Brazil in the last eight; and in 2008 they topped their group but fell to France in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, the other quarter final fixture will be between host Germany and Korea Republic. The two teams are the tournament’s top-scoring sides with 13 and 11 goals respectively.
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East London Olympic village works
As I look out of the window of my offices in Canary Wharf, I can track how the skyline of London has visibly altered over the past three years or so.
Rising in the east is the Olympic Stadium, to all intents and purposes a completed structure; the roof of the Aquatics Centre dominates the skyline to the right of the stadium; the Olympic village is in the background; the velodrome, its roof complete, and in the middle the distinctive basketball arena.
With exactly two years to go, our planning is well advanced – venues are a year (or less) away from completion and every day the Olympic Park is getting closer to becoming a fantastic new parkland area. Now it is your turn, as we celebrate two years to go, it is time for you to plan your Games.
When I competed, my schedule was focused on major competitions, with the aim being that I peaked at just the right time. That is what Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes will be doing right now – their eyes will be on the prize of competing in a Games in front of a home crowd.
This time next year we will be in the midst of testing our venues, tickets will have gone on sale, our volunteers will be in training and we will be on the final straight. So now is the perfect time for everyone to start planning the summer of 2012.
Sebastian Coe
There are 26 Olympic sports and 20 Paralympic sports to choose from. Sports fans will be spoilt for choice. There will be 10 million tickets on sale across both Games and by signing up now to our pre-registration scheme, you will have a great opportunity to find out about all 46 sports as well as be in the best position when the ballot opens in spring 2011.
Hundreds of thousands of people registered an interest in becoming a volunteer for 2012. This year we will open the doors for applications. Volunteers often make a Games – from helping spectators get into venues, to helping athletes prepare for an event – which is why we are calling our volunteers ‘Games Makers’.
It is not for everyone, not all of the roles are particularly glamorous and some of our Games Makers might not even see our venues, let alone any sport, but the roles are vital and those who do decide to get involved can be assured of a fantastic experience. Now is the time to start researching what it takes to be a Games Maker.
If attending events or volunteering is not of interest, there will still be plenty of opportunities to be part of London 2012. The Torch will travel the length and breadth of the UK in 2012, with celebrations and events along the way. We are in the process of working with local authorities to determine its route and we will update more on this early next year.
Olympics logo
Our education programme ‘Get Set’ continues to go from strength to strength. Thousands of schools have signed up to the programme, which provides some fantastic resource based on the Olympic and Paralympic values – plus schools get the opportunity to get visits from Olympians – and maybe even our own mascots Wenlock or Mandeville.
The finale of the Cultural Olympiad will be a once-in-a-lifetime festival, starting on June 21, 2012, and lasting for 12 weeks, bringing together talent from the world over from pop to film, from visual arts and fashion to theatre, from opera to digital innovation.
But already there are Cultural Olympiad projects up and running all over the country. And last weekend was the London 2012 Open Weekend, where almost 1,000 cultural and sporting events were enjoyed by people across the UK.
So we are in pretty good shape, but now it is your turn. As we look ahead two years, now is the perfect opportunity to start planning your Games and make sure you are ready to join in with the celebrations.
Source: Telegraph
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]]>Nigeria won a penalty shootout to claim a place in the semi-finals at the end of an enthralling struggle in Augsburg. Ironically it was USA’s golden girl Sydney Leroux who missed with the US’ fifth penalty to seal the African side’s 4-2 victory, their captain Christine Nairn having seen her attemopt saved as well.
It was a notable triumph for the Falconets who had never before won a quarter-final in a FIFA womens competition and who had faltered at the last-eight stage on three previous occasions in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Ndem Egan’s team had been overrun in the second half but found their feet and plundered a magnificent equaliser through Helen Ukaonu late on. They now face Colombia in Thursday’s semi-final in Bielefeld in what is a major surprise with USA the two-time champions and the most successful team in the history of the competition.
US started confidently and it was clear newcomer Casey Short was going to enjoy some freedom down the left. In the sixth minute Kristie Mewis invited her to run on to a through ball with her marker left standing. It was a great chance but Alaba Jonathan saved well with her legs.
In the next instant a free-kick high up the field was rolled into the path of Mewis as the Nigeria defence slept. Fortunately for them Amarachi Okoronkwo had read the danger and was back to cover.
It all proved a preamble to the inevitable USA goal. Again it was poor defending that gifted them a generous amount of room. When a short corner was played to Mewis she was able to run several metres with nobody challenging. When she squared the ball across, Amber Brooks was on hand to side-foot her first goal of the tournament.
Nothing had been seen of Nigeria’s twin hot-shots, Ebere Orji and Desire Oparanozie though they did break out to land their first shot of the game with Cecilia Nku aiming high and wide. Normal service was quickly resumed as Zakiya Bywaters, operating down the right. moving infield before forcing two saves from the goalkeeper.
Nigeria did improve near the end of the first half but their efforts foundered on a rock known as Crystal Dunn who twice came in with well-timed and determined challenges.
The second half proved a reversal of what had gone on before with Nigeria now finding some confidence and taking control of the game. Oparanozie worried Bianca Henninger momentarily from distance but the goalkeeper pulled off a good save high up by the left-hand post.
Orji then had a chance as a long ball bounced high and threateningly inside the penalty area but there were enough defenders to rescue the situation. The Falconets clearly saw long shots as their route back into the contest. Esther Sunday was barely at the mid-point of the US half when she took aim and Henninger pushed it away.
Then in the 79th minute came a memorable equaliser. A free-kick was rolled into the path of Ukaonu who unleashed a lethal strike which flew into the top corner of the net, leaving Henninger helpless.
Nigeria were really buzzing now and Henninger was called into action again and again as Nigeria shot from far out. Dunn’s uncharacteristic slip almost allowed Orji in but another defender was there to shut out the daylight.
In extra-time Oparanozie passed up a glorious chance having evaded two challenges. With the goal gaping she stabbed it wide. US substitute Meg Morris drew a save and as Nigeria countered as pace, there was an opening for Orji but her attempt lacked power.
With seven minutes remaining Mewis crashed a shot off the bar and then saw a header tipped over the top.
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Lars Largerback
Swede Lars Lagerback has turned down an offer to continue as Nigeria coach, the national football federation (NFF) confirmed on Friday.
NFF president Aminu Maigari said that Lagerback told him he did not wish to continue in his post despite being offered a four-year deal, with Samson Siasia being lined up as a replacement.
“Lagerback told me he could not continue as the coach of the Super Eagles because he feared that he might not be able to pen a four-year deal that would keep him in Nigeria for that long,” Maigari told sports daily Soccer Star.
“He thanked the NFF for the opportunity given him to take the eagles to the World Cup. He said the experience was worth it and that he would always remember Nigeria and her good people.”
Maigari added that Lagerback told him that his family played a big role in his decision not to extend his five-month contract.
Lagerback was in charge when Nigeria finished bottom of their first round group at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
However, the NFF agreed to hand the Swede a long-term deal on the evidence of the work he put in within a short time.
The NFF top official also disclosed that Siasia will next month be confirmed as the country’s new coach on a four-year contract.
Samson Siasia
“We have had talks with Siasia. The talks have been fruitful and all things being equal, he will put pen to paper next month subject to negotiations,” said Maigari.
“Siasia is the coach Nigerians want and we shall give him all the support to succeed in this new job.”
Siasia led the national team to the final of both the 2005 FIFA Under-20 World Cup as well as the 2008 Olympics.
The former Lokeren and Nantes striker is currently handling Heartland FC of Owerri in the CAF Champions League.
The NFF also announced that caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen will lead Nigeria to next month’s friendly against South Korea in Seoul, before taking over the Olympic team.
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Nigeria Falconets
Nigeria are through to the quarter finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany after the Falconets claimed a 1-1 draw with Mexico in Bochum on Wednesday afternoon.
Ebere Orji scored from a corner kick after 16 miniutes but the Mexicans equalised – also through a corner kick – with only 12 minutes left and it took some spirited defending for the Nigerian girls to avoid an unimaginable exit.
The Nigerians have secured a place in the last eight and a date with World Cup holders USA in Augsburg on Sunday evening.
The USA won the last competition staged in Chile by beating North Korea in the final in Santiago, while the Falconets crashed out in the quarter-finals due to a narrow defeat by France.
The Falconets will have the opportunity to become the first team to stop the USA from reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since the tournament was launched in Canada eight years ago.
If they are able to defeat the Americans, the Nigerian girls will look forward to a semi-final against either Sweden or Colombia.
By Jennifer Ifeoma Okoye (Goals.com)
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athlete-starting-block
Scientists have found the reason why blacks dominate on the running track and whites in the swimming pool: it’s in their belly-buttons, a study published Monday shows.
What’s important is not whether an athlete has an innie or an outie but where his or her navel is in relation to the rest of the body, says the study published in the International Journal of Design and Nature and Ecodynamics.
The navel is the center of gravity of the body, and given two runners or swimmers of the same height, one black and one white, “what matters is not total height but the position of the belly-button, or center of gravity,” Duke University professor Andre Bejan, the lead author of the study, told AFP.
“It so happens that in the architecture of the human body of West African-origin runners, the center of gravity is significantly higher than in runners of European origin,” which puts them at an advantage in sprints on the track, he said.
Individuals of West African-origin have longer legs than European-origin athletes, which means their belly-buttons are three centimeters (1.18 inches) higher than whites’, said Bejan.
That means the black athletes have a “hidden height” that is three percent greater than whites’, which gives them a significant speed advantage on the track.
“Locomotion is essentially a continual process of falling forward, and mass that falls from a higher altitude, falls faster,” Bejan explained.
In the pool, meanwhile, whites have the advantage because they have longer torsos, making their belly-buttons lower in the general scheme of body architecture.
“Swimming is the art of surfing the wave created by the swimmer,” said Bejan.
“The swimmer who makes the bigger wave is the faster swimmer, and a longer torso makes a bigger wave. Europeans have a three-percent longer torso than West Africans, which gives them a 1.5-percent speed advantage in the pool,” he said.
Asians have the same long torsos as Europeans, giving them the same potential to be record-breakers in the pool.
But they often lose out to whites because whites are taller, said Bejan.
Many scientists have avoided studying why blacks make better sprinters and whites better swimmers because of what the study calls the “obvious” race angle.
But Bejan said the study he conducted with Edward Jones, a professor at Howard University in Washington, and Duke graduate Jordan Charles, focused on the athletes’ geographic origins and biology, not race, which the authors of the study call a “social construct.”
Bejan is white, originally from Romania, and Jones is black, from South Carolina.
They charted and analyzed nearly 100 years of records in men’s and women’s sprinting and 100-meters freestyle swimming for the study.
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South Afrca flag with ball
From the opening concert at the Orlando Stadium, to the final burst of fireworks at Soccer City, the glory at this World Cup belonged not to Spain, but to South Africa.
A grubby final was snatched after 114 goalless minutes by Andres Iniesta’s well-taken effort allowing Spain to erupt in celebration at last.
So often the under achievers, Iniesta is just one of a dozen world class La Rochas. It was interesting that the Barcelona element felt the need to parade the Catalan flag at the crucial, cup-lifting moment.
South Africa was supposed to be the divided country. Long accused of being incapable of hosting football’s greatest event, the teenagers of democracy got it together with gusto.
While Spain may have outlasted the local hopefuls Bafana Bafana by some distance, did any country of the 32 experience a greater nation-building month than the hosts?
Of course not. Spain will go home to their Basque/Castillian/Catalan nations with heads held high. But from where I sit, after nearly three months of travelling South Africa, this wasn’t about Spain 1, Netherlands 0. It was simply South Africa’s victory.
When I set out on this epic journey, nobody had even heard of Paul the Octopus or Luis Suarez’s hand. The foreign press were harping on about bloodbaths, muggings, and unfinished infrastructure when I turned up in Durban for the Indaba 2010 Tourism conference on May 8.
For the next month, it was all about denying the doom-mongers. Strangely, England’s training camp in Phokeng was not “a dump” as the British tabloids described it. It was finished on time and perfect for the job. You can’t blame the Bafokeng people for England’s appalling showing here.
Similarly, the roads and stadiums were near-perfect, not to mention, the brand new King Shaka airport, apart from lacking a parking warden, was pretty good too.
Everywhere we travelled, foreign fans were ecstatic. Glad they had “taken the risk” of coming to deepest, darkest part of Africa. Were any wags mugged? Were any mugs wagged? Was anybody bitten by deadly snakes or murdered in their hotel beds?
No.
Were the stadiums half-finished or half-empty? Not at the best supported World Cup since 1994. Did the fans come? Yes, despite the negative claptrap, over half a million travelled here. And they will return to encourage more to revisit this country, where whales, dolphins, elephants and lions can entertain as much as over-paid footballers, Diego Maradona or blind referees.
How many rugby/cricket World Cups or even Olympics have been this successful? How many times do you attend a major sports event to be struck not by the talent of the athletes, but by the quality of the fans, the service, or the sheer joy of being here?
Not many.
A very impressive opening ceremony
And now, no doubt, the tireless Danny Jordaan will receive apologies from everywhere. From The Sun to the New Zealand Herald, as the world realises that, actually, Africa does quite a good job when it comes to global events. Let’s count those retractions.
No, not one.
But, there we were. After 64 matches in 10 perfect stadiums, a riveting open ceremony and a technically incredible closing show, Nelson Mandela even popped in to give us a wave. We had the fireworks lighting the sky over Soweto, the Spaniards adding the World Cup to their European crown, and the fans delighted to celebrate with them and their two flags.
One winner. South Africa. Where unbuntu, that feeling of being part of a family, overwhelmed the plethora of yellow cards and cynical fouls.
Champions Spain jubilates
Pre-tournament favourites Spain won this World Cup with less goals than any side has ever managed before—they hardly thrilled us, apart from when they surprisingly lost their opening game against modest Switzerland. Holland set out to kick them off the park and out of the country.
After the final, I found myself arguing with former Arsenal “star” Perry Groves over the merits of Spain and the football at this World Cup. From where they sat, they weren’t thrilled. Philistines. Mourning for England, they missed the whole point.
And it didn’t matter, because all around, the lamentable, lovable vuvuzelas were blowing, the locals were dancing, and South Africa, rather than Spain, was united in self-congratulation.
Finally, this quote from President Jacob Zuma, “When we won the rights to host the World Cup, we knew that working together we would be able to succeed. But, what has happened has exceeded our expectations. That is because of the role played by our people, the South Africans. They
They are the stars and champions of this tournament.”
Source: A bleacher report analysis
For more gists, please click http://bleacherreport.com/articles/419126-2010-fifa-world-cup-winners-and-losers
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]]>FIFA President, Sepp Blatter on Sunday commended the move by President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria to review an earlier stance to pull Nigeria out of international football for two years, describing him as a true leader of men with the love of his people at heart.
Speaking during a meeting with the new leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation at a morning meeting in
FIFA Supremo Sepp Blatter
Johannesburg, South Africa, Blatter noted that only genuine leaders, not rulers, listen to the yearnings of their people and act accordingly.
“Nigeria is one of the key components of the football world, and a two year abstinence from the game from this beautiful game by the country would have left a vacuum. Please extend my warmest sporting regards to President Goodluck Jonathan,” said Blatter.
Blatter also pledged that the world’s governing body for the game will co-operate fully with the new leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation as endorsed at Friday’s Extra-Ordinary General Assembly in the Federal Capital, Abuja, while urging the new helmsmen to always operate with the statutes of the NFF.
He added that FIFA will be monitoring the situation in Nigeria football, while inviting the NFF Acting President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, Acting 1st Vice President, Chief Obinna Ogba, Executive Committee Member, Dr. Peter Singabele and General Secretary, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba to the official closing ceremony and final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Soccer City same day.
President Goodluck Jonathan
At another meeting with the NFF leadership, also in Johannesburg, CAF President Issa Hayatou said he was bowled over the President Jonathan’s magnanimous move and equally pledged that CAF will co-operate with the new leadership in Nigeria football while urging them to abide by the statutes governing the game.
Source:Goal.com International.
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Germany Flag
Desperate Germany put a strong spirit fighting like Trojans in a show of class in the bid to grap a third place in the on-gong World Cup
The nation took took bronze for the fourth time at the FIFA World Cup™ after beating Uruguay 3-2 in one of the most entertaining and energy-sapping play-off for the third place.
Sami Khedira got the winning goal with eight minutes remaining as Joachim Low’s side repeated their success in this same match four years ago.
There was no shortage of goals as the rain came teeming down in Port Elizabeth with both sides eager to conclude impressive campaigns on a winning note.
Thomas Muller and Edinson Cavani traded first half efforts before Diego Forlan and Marcell Jansen did likewise within ten minutes of the restart. Yet it was Germany who came out on top and, in the process, South Africa 2010’s leading scorers reached the 16-goal mark, surpassing their total at Italy 1990, albeit falling one short of their tally in 1970, when they also pipped Uruguay to the bronze medal.
For two of the scorers, Muller and Forlan, their strikes took them to five for the tournament, level with David Villa and Wesley Sneijder at the top of the adidas Golden Boot standings. Forlan will rue the injury-time free-kick against the crossbar that denied him a sixth goal, while Miroslav Klose’s absence with a back injury left him rooted on five too.
Both teams featured changed lineups after their semi-final losses. Germany coach Joachim Low went for a wholly new forward line from that which began against Spain with starting roles for the trio of Muller, Cacau and Jansen. Further back Dennis Aogo came in for Philipp Lahm and goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt for Manuel Neuer. As for Uruguay, they welcomed back captain Diego Lugano from injury together with Jorge Fucile and Luis Suarez, both suspended for last Tuesday’s defeat by the Netherlands.
Muller made his mark early with his fifth goal in South Africa. The 20-year-old had already had one effort ruled out for offside when he fired Low’s side ahead in the 19th minute. Bastian Schweinsteiger sent in a shot from 30 yards that goalkeeper Diego Muslera, seemingly deceived by the swerve and dip, parried straight to Muller who had an easy task to score. A German breakthrough was hardly a surprise given by that stage they had also seen Arne Friedrich head a Mesut Ozil corner against the crossbar yet Oscar Tabarez’s side soon responded.
Uruguay threatened in the 25th minute when Per Mertesacker got a block on Forlan’s far-post header. Four minutes later, though, they had their equaliser from a swift counter. Diego Perez dispossessed Schweinsteiger just inside the Celeste half with a powerful challenge and fed Suarez who played in Cavani down the inside left-channel. The Palermo striker took one touch before prodding a low finish into the bottom corner. Suarez should then have put Uruguay ahead three minutes before the break when Forlan picked out his diagonal run but bearing down on Butt’s goal from the right, he arrowed his shot wide of the far post.
Futher changes went begging moments after the restart when Butt saved at Cavani’s feet and then got a hand to Suarez’s shot on the follow-up. Butt was left helpless when Forlan made it 2-1 after 51 minutes, however. The Atletico Madrid striker connected acrobatically with Egidio Arevalo’s cross on the edge of the box, sending the ball into the rain-sodden turf and back up past Butt. Yet the lead lasted only five minutes before Muslera missed Jerome Boateng’s deep cross and Jansen headed home.
The game was now wide open as both teams chased a third goal. Butt kept out a flying strike from Suarez and came out to save at the feet of Forlan. At the other end Muslera beat away a shot from Germany substitute Stefan Kiessling, who missed two other inviting chances. The winning goal, when it came, followed an Ozil corner. The ball bounced off Friedrich and then Lugano before rising fortuitously to Khedira who headed home.
Flag-of-uruguay
Germany, so fufilled
Joachim Low hailed Germany’s spirit after they came from behind to defeat Uruguay 3-2 in a thrilling game on Saturday and secure third place at the World Cup™.
“In the second half, when we were forced to dig deep, we saw the mental strength the team had to resist and then snatch victory,” said the Germany coach. “I’m pleased with that, the team deserves it. Altogether, what we’ve achieved, we never would have expected it eight or nine months ago.”
Germany claimed victory thanks to Sami Khedira’s 82nd-minute header, after strikes from Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan had seen Uruguay hit back from a goal down following Thomas Mueller’s opener.
The three-time champions were hit by a series of injuries to key players, including captain Michael Ballack, on the eve of the World Cup but responded with some thrilling performances despite the inexperience in their ranks. Low’s young players defeated England 4-1 in the last 16 and thrashed Argentina 4-0 in the quarter-finals before finally meeting their match in a 1-0 semi-final defeat by Spain.
Central midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger was one of the stars of the tournament and he believes the country has a rich footballing future to look forward to. “I’m very proud to play in this team,” said the Bayern Munich player. “We have to look to the future, we can still achieve lots of things.”
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez lauded his side’s performance at the World Cup but said they had been undone by individual errors against Germany. The meeting in Port Elizabeth was a re-match of the 1970 third-place match, which Germany won 1-0, after Tabarez had guided his team to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 40 years.
“The match was contested by two teams who really wanted to finish in third place, by two teams who gave everything,” said Tabarez. “We made one mistake too many, but we showed that we were capable. We showed that we could compete with any team in the world.”
Uruguay have been the surprise package of the World Cup, qualifying from a difficult group that also included France, Mexico and hosts South Africa before defeating South Korea and Ghana to reach the last four. They were beaten 3-2 by the Netherlands in the semi-finals but Tabarez said his squad would take great heart from their African endeavours.
“Uruguay have been one of the surprises of the tournament and we still don’t realise what’s happened back home,” he said. “I received an email on Friday from a lady I didn’t know who said, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you for having changed the image of our country’. I’m surprised, it’s the beauty of sport and the serious work we’ve accomplished.”