Asian Soccer Star – world cup 2010

Did Discipline Cost Brazil and Argentina?

July 4, 2010 By himmet Leave a Comment

Asian soccer star, London - When you thought the finalists for world cup 2010 was a forgone conclusion with the South American teams dominating the last 16, everything changes.

I personally thought the final would be a South American affair between Brazil and Argentina but Holland and Germany put that theory to bed.

Just goes to show that nothing is really that predictable in football but as we’ve said before to any budding Asian soccer star, self-discipline matters.

Brazil started strong against the Dutch but lost their way as soon as Holland scored their first goal. From then on Brazil went into panic mode and lost their discipline in defence, an area on which the 2010 Brazil had been built. [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, himmet, world cup 2010 Tagged With: 2010 FIFA World Cup, Asian soccer stars, Brazil vs Holland, Germany vs Argentina, self discipline, stephen r covey, world cup 2010

Brazil and Portugal Bore Fans

June 25, 2010 By himmet Leave a Comment

Asian soccer star, London – What was hyped to be the most exciting fixture of world cup 2010 played out to possibly be the most boring match of the tournament with a goalless draw.

Brazil topped the table with Portugal taking second place into the last 16, but the teams were booed off the pitch in what was a cautious but listless performance from both sides.

The first half saw a flurry of yellow cards but no real passion was seen on the pitch, the cards were more for tit for tat fouls from both sides. It’s been a long time since i’ve seen such a boring match especially from two teams that are known for their flair and attacking football.

But, because the outcome of the group had more or less already been decided the fans had to put up with a performance that was just ridiculous.

From a tactical point of view it’s completely understandable, but when the match has been hyped as probably the best fixture of the tournament and the stadium is packed to capacity the palyers have a responsibility to play with a will to win.

Anyway, I hope the rest round really picks up in the quality that is expected from world cup 2010. We want to see the passion, hunger, desire and will to win.

World Cup 2010: Brazil’s Dunga ‘sorry’ ahead of Portugal clash (telegraph.co.uk)
Brazil vs Portugal in Durban – Preview (vuvuzelasouthafrica.co.za)
World Cup Diary: Portugal vs. Brazil strains historic ties (news.nationalpost.com)
World Cup Live: Brazil vs. Portugal (goal.blogs.nytimes.com)

Filed Under: blog, himmet, world cup 2010 Tagged With: 2010 FIFA World Cup, Brazil, Portugal, world cup 2010

Did Italy Have Enough Desire to Win?

June 24, 2010 By himmet Leave a Comment

Asian soccer star, London – Another critical match and another major upset, this time befalling world champions Italy. Like the other finalists from world cup 2006 France, Italy failed to make it to the last 16 losing 3-2 to Slovakia.

Both France and Italy have made world cup history by being the first finalists from a previous world cup by both failing to get past the group stages.

Unlike France, Italy didn’t succumb to major problems within the team camp. They just weren’t good enough throughout the world cup 2010 tournament.

They looked slow and lethargic and their passing was well below world cup standards. In fact they were as bad as England in their now forgiven game against Algeria.

The difference between England and Italy’s crucial games was that England came out fighting and full of hunger and desire. England had the will to win because there was no other route for them to take; they had hit rock bottom and faced elimination from the competition and an unforgiving nation waiting for them at home. [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, himmet, world cup 2010 Tagged With: belief, confidence, desire, hunger, Italy national football team, Italy vs Slovakia, mental toughness, world cup 2010

Should England Keep Wearing Red?

June 23, 2010 By himmet Leave a Comment

Asian soccer star, London – England has made it through to the last 16 of world cup 2010 with an agonising but welcome 1-0 victory over Slovenia.

Why is it always so hard to watch England play?

The ecstasy always seems to be preceded by agony, but it’s what makes watching football exciting.

England came out with a new found confidence that resembled the sort of play we see week in, week out in the English premier league, and could have been a couple of goals up in the first half. Every one of the players had a determination about them and each played his part.

What was it that made the difference?

There must be something here that future Asian soccer stars could learn from. [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, himmet, world cup 2010 Tagged With: belief, England vs Slovenia, england world cup, mental toughness, world cup 2010

Asian Soccer Stars – Learn From England’s Performance

June 19, 2010 By himmet Leave a Comment

Asian soccer star, London – England’s performance against Algeria at the world cup 2010 was poor, and that’s putting it mildly. A game that should have seen a comfortable victory for England’s best turned into a painful spectacle for watching fans in the stadium and watching on TV screens around the world.

But there is a lesson to be learned for budding footballers looking to become Asian soccer stars of the future, but more on that later.

I’m sure like us, fans all over the country and around the world, sat down in anticipation of a thrilling world-class football game that would have us at the edge of our seats.

England’s performance certainly had us on the edge of our seats, but more in anger and frustration targeted at the poor show being broadcast from our TV screens. There was no hint of a world-class performance from any of the England players, in fact they didn’t play like a team at all, while Algeria showed fluency and good technical ability. [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, himmet, world cup 2010 Tagged With: Algeria, Asian Soccer Star, England, England football team, world cup 2010

Maradona’s Men Win in Style

June 12, 2010 By himmet Leave a Comment

Asian soccer star, London – Argentina beat Nigeria in a convincing 1-0 victory that should have seen Maradona‘s men put at least 3 or 4 goals in the back of the net. Lionel Messi saw sight of goal a number of times only to be stopped by some fine saves from Nigeria’s in-form goal keeper Vincent Enyeama.

As Germany’s ex-International Jurgen Klinsmann so eloquently put it, “It was an impressive performance by Argentina, they controlled the game for long periods and could have been 3-0 or 4-0 up by half-time. It was risky, because Nigeria had chances in the second half, but they deserved to win.”

Messi lived up to his reputation and the crowd sensed something would happen every time he got the ball. If Maradona has done one thing well, he’s managed to give the whole team an emotional uplift and confidence that they can win this world cup.

Where the living legend lacks in tactical understanding he more than makes up in providing the glue to gel the team together. As they say, ‘ the proof is in the pudding ‘ and we wait and see if Argentina can get better with each game or lose direction trying.

France Continues to Disappoint at World Cup

June 12, 2010 By himmet Leave a Comment

Asian Soccer Star, London – France’s national team continued it’s run of disappointing performances with a 0-0 draw against an average Uruguay team in South Africa. With an average performance France’s ‘stars’ failed to impress and put the ball in the back of the net even though Uruguay played the last 10 minutes with 10 men.

Reports of a dispute among some players with manager Raymond Domenech had already emerged before the match and seemed to unsettle the French team camp. Chelsea‘s Florent Malouda has had a wonderful season with his club but after publicly criticizing the French Coach the player paid the price by being relegated to the bench.

But with all the international talent and experience within the French team, much more was expected and not delivered.

Not to take anything away from Uruguay, a team that showed strong defence and creativity through their experienced linchpin Diego Forlan. Playing with 10 men for the last 10 minutes of the game Uruguay players showed they were serious about getting through to the next round.

With everyone in the group on a single point it’s all down to which team shows more mettle to get through to the next round.

Asian soccer star – British Asian Soccer Blog

France & Uruguay Play To Scoreless Draw At World Cup (huffingtonpost.com)
France, Uruguay post second draw of opening day (nationalpost.com)
Uruguay 0 France 0: match report (telegraph.co.uk)
World Cup 2010: France’s Florent Malouda frustrated by substitute role against Uruguay (telegraph.co.uk)

Filed Under: blog, himmet, world cup 2010 Tagged With: asian soccer, Asian Soccer Star, Florent Malouda, France, Raymond Domenech, soccer star, South Africa, Uruguay, world cup 2010

World Cup 2010 Kicks Off Without Mandela

June 11, 2010 By himmet Leave a Comment

World cup 2010 kicked off with a cracking game between the hosts South Africa and Mexico setting the stage for an exciting month of action with 1 game down and 63 to go.

But the great African party lost some of its oomph with the announcement that Nelson Mandela’s great-grandaughter was fatally injured in a car crash returning from the pre-world cup 2010 concert.

Understandably, Nelson Mandela was unable to attend the opening ceremony that would put South Africa centre stage in world news for the next 4 weeks.

The game lived up to the hype surrounding the buildup to the FIFA World Cup 2010, with South Africa putting on a great show for all of Africa.

The sounds and energy within the stadium is unique to Africa and while it can get irritating to those not used to the atmosphere certainly spurred on Bafana Bafana, as the South African team are affectionately known, to give a competitive perfomance.

Bafana Bafana started nervously and with Mexico calling the shots nearly conceded several times in the first half. But they started the second half more confidently with some great one-touch football, taking the lead from a great counter attack and stunning finish from man of the match Siphiwe Tshabalal. The goal was celebrated with a stadium eruption that resonated throughout South Africa.

Feeling the game slipping away from them Mexico turned up the pressure and were rewarded with an equaliser from a set-piece with the game ending in a draw.

So the benchmark has been set for an exciting month of footballing action we’ve all been waiting 4 years for, and hopefully we won’t be disappointed.

South Africa World cup 2010 [HD] official anthem