During an interview with CNN World Sports’ Pedro Pinto, the leader of football’s governing body asserted that everything would obviously depend on the quality of the goal-line technology system. He thus did not promise anything to the public.
In this article, we look at each Ballon d’Or 2010 contender from the final shortlist. As we jump directly into the subject, we start with midfielder Xavi Hernandez.
FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010 Award Contender: Xavi Hernandez
Expert in: through balls, short passes, long balls, and organization on the field.
Country and Club: Spain and FC Barcelona
Contribution in 2010 World Cup: 1 assist in 7 starts
In the 2009/10 season: Xavi got 3 goals and made 14 assists in 34 La Liga games, while he netted a single goal and produced 3 assists in the UEFA Champions League. In the Copa del Rey, he started twice and appeared once as a substitute; he clinched 2 goals without any assist in that competition.
The football governing body is said to have shared a bit more than £25million among 400 football clubs in 55 countries—simply for their contributions in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. According to FIFA figures, clubs from England topped the list of compensation with a combined sum of £3.8 million.
A statement from the aquarium in Germany where the sea creature lived broke the news on Tuesday, saying:.jpg)
From Iker Casillas in goal to David Villa in attack, this Spanish generation of players is a tribute to football.
They were not part of a brilliant Final, but a Final that witnessed another trick in the never-ending Spanish repertoire. The Netherlands incessantly disrupted the Spanish flow of football. They did what Germany could not do: they tried to play with Spain on even terms, even if the play was skewed in Spain’s favour. However, rather than be ruffled, Spain withstood every physical challenge, waiting patiently for their chance. Slowly, they asserted their method of possession football.
2010 FIFA World Cup final–Netherlands vs Spain, Normal Time: Controversy And No Goals
The first action of the game saw Robin Van Persie kick Sergio Busquets on the calf of his right leg as early as inside the 1st minute. The Dutch were already feeling the pressure and committing unnecessary fouls. Sergio Ramos was the victim of one of those and the resulting free-kick taken by Xavi Hernandez almost saw the Real Madrid defender break the deadlock. But Sergio Ramos’ header was outstandingly saved by Holland’s goalkeeper.
The Oranje shot stopper was set to play a big role on the night as the Spanish were playing their trademark possessive football. Surprisingly, the hero of the 2008 European Championship final Fernando Torres was left on the bench; his position was rather filled by Barcelona’s youngster Pedro. David Villa side netted a shot before Xabi Alonso directed another one just wide to inflict more pressure on the nervous Dutch.
Too bad for all the 3 millions of fans who wanted to get tickets for the final on Sunday! The gigantesque Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg can "only" satisfy 94,000 spectators with seats. But you can join Live Soccer TV as we preview the Netherlands vs Spain match from different angles before following the match live on the Netherlands vs Spain match page!
Holland Coach Bert van Marwijk Not Afraid Of Spain
Whether they play the best football or not, the Spanish have managed to dominate in each and every 2010 World Cup match they'v played. Even the one they lost to Switzerland saw them controlling the game throughout; the problem for Spain on that day is that the ball just couldn’t cross the Swiss’ goal line. Chile, Honduras, Portugal, Paraguay, and Germany also all had to chase the game and try to find a way out to top the Spaniards in the end. However, Vicente del Bosque’s side made it impossible for these teams to clinch at least a draw.
Today, Live Soccer TV compares the two players – Holland’s Wesley Sneijder and Spain’s David Villa. Who is the better player? Who deserves to win the Golden Ball award? Who will shine at the Soccer City Stadium on Sunday night? Who will end up on the losing side? Who will get his hands on the 2010 FIFA World Cup trophy? Wesley Sneijder or David Villa?
What is the Golden Ball Award?
The Golden Ball Award is a trophy presented to the World Cup’s best players. Nominees are selected by the FIFA Technical Study Group. Football experts such as Jomo Sono, Kalusha Bwalya, Christian Karembu, and Gerard Houllier are all part of this group. There are 10 Golden Ball award nominees. This year, the list goes as follows:
All those questions will be answered during or after the match will you can follow live on LiveSoccerTV.com! Our attention today is on Spain’s national football team.
Spain: Lose First Match, Win The Cup?
1) No team has ever gone to reach the final and win the FIFA World Cup trophy after losing its first match in the completion. Could Spain create history by breaking this fact? Remember that Spain lost their first game to Switzerland in Group H. Vicente del Bosque and his players insist that this 1-0 loss to Switzerland contributed in making Spain stronger as they now aim to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Somos el numero uno
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Spain have made it to their first FIFA World Cup Finals. For the Netherlands this is their third time. Neither country have ever won the World Cup. This reminds me of that old saying: "third time lucky". Another first is that no European nation has ever won the World Cup final outside of Europe. For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, an European nation will win the World Cup on foreign soil.
After reviewing all the team and player match stats from both Holland and Spain, we thought we´d highlight some of the stats related to both 2010 World Cup Finalists.
Fouls & Indiscipline - Advantage Netherlands
Netherlands are the fouling champions. They have commited more fouls than any other team in this World Cup. On the flip-side, Spain are the team that suffer the most fouls - 106 thus far this World Cup tournament. This looks like a recipe for alot of fouls by Netherlands on Spain. However, Spain are a better tackling team with 14 tackles vs 9 from the Netherlands.
The dutch have the worst disciplinary record of all 32 teams in the tournament: 15 yellow cards. Spain are the most disciplined team having only suffered 3 yellow cards in all their matches. One more than North Korea who only played 3 games. This may be a field day for Howard Webb. Let´s hope this englishman can count.
Considering the amazing fact that Sneijder is not a forward, it is very hard to believe that he has already scored 5 goals in 6 matches, and eventually, another goal in the World Cup final could make him the owner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Top Scorer award. Once again, Live Soccer TV looks at the statistics of Wesley Sneijder in the World Cup ahead of the Netherlands vs Spain final.
Goal Scored by Wesley Sneijder
Just like his rival David Villa, Sneijder does not have a single penalty in his name at the 2010 World Cup. Sneijder has however managed to use his heading and shooting skills to occupy the pole position in the goalscoring chart along with Spain’s Villa, who also has 5 goals.
The UEFA Euro 2008 top scorer has not stopped showing his amazing goalscoring skills in South Africa. He is his team’s top scorer with 5 goals in 6 games, and a potent contender for the 2010 World Cup Top Scorer award. In this pre-World Cup final article, Live Soccer TV looks at the statistics of David Villa, so as to widen the supporters’ knowledge on the deadly Spanish attack, prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.
David Villa - Goal Scored in 2010 FIFA World Cup
Villa, the newly-signed forward of FC Barcelona, has not scored any penalty in the 2010 World Cup so far, since Xabi Alonso is Spain’s expert penalty-taker. However, Villa tops the goalscoring standings along with Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder; with all his goals being scored from open play.
He has been highly criticized for his inability to get a single goal in the tournament, despite appearing in most of Spain’s games. He was dropped in the semifinals against Germany subsequent to his long-term unimpressive performance; but he might appear again in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands on the night of July 11.
David Villa vs Fernando Torres – Spain – 2010 World Cup
If this is the case, he will be playing alongside David Villa, the man who is said to be Spain’s commandant in the contest. Villa, (already lucky to have a side favored by referees in South Africa), scored vital goals against Honduras, Chile, Portugal, and Paraguay. He has wholly overshadowed a goalless Fernando Torres, and this does not seem to bother Coach del Bosque, who can only be worried by his team’s failure to take the maximum out of their chances.
It was his most recent goal which gave the Netherlands a place in the final against Spain, as it closed up the game to 3-2 in favor of the Holland team, notwithstanding the relentless attacks of the Uruguayans in the last seconds of the battle. He also played a vital role in the Champions League final for Bayern Munich despite the Germans’ loss to Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In this World Cup, he hasn’t failed to exhibit his nice qualities, and even though he has not always appeared to be at his very best, he has at least managed to work at the benefit of his side. He was constantly fouled against Brazil in the quarter-finals, and a stamp on him in that match’s second period gave defender Felipe Melo a red card. Spain will have to keep their calm and behave as true experts on the night of July 11, for illegally fouling Robben could coast them the trophy. Below we look at Arjen Robben’s statistics, so as to resume his 2010 World Cup performance, and know his expectations for the Netherlands-Spain final.
Xavi Hernandez Statistics – Shots and Passes in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Xavi has not scored any goals in the tournament, and his shooting skills have been invisible with 0 shots on target despite 5 attempts on goal. Thus, as the midfield Maestro of Spain’s national football team, his intentions have especially been founded on his passes.
When it comes to passes, Xavi imposes his authority among almost all the other midfield stars of the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a total completion rate of 81%. On over 570 passes, 464 were completed; but more precisely, his medium pass accuracy reaches 86% for completion rate with 309 successful attempts over 360 made. Next, short passes also form Xavi’s playmaking expertise with 85% for completion rate. His lowest area lies in crosses, which sees him earn an average percentage of only 31% for accuracy.
Arjen Robben – Winning ugly against Spain is better than losing beautifully
Netherlands have never won the FIFA World Cup trophy, due to the fact that they have never been successful in the tournament’s final. This year, they have reached the last round of the competition, and they will be going for nothing but prestigious glory; which will add their name for the first time in history books as FIFA World Champions.
The current Netherlands team has not been as amusing as the two former sides that reached the final in history, according to a number of spectators; but still, they remain unbeaten in the contest. Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben is a potent contributor of the Holland army in South Africa, and being asked on his game against Spain and his country’s plan in the final, this is what he said:
Before the start of the competition, there were speculations upon the selection of the first choice goalkeeper for the Spanish national team in the 2010 World Cup. In spite of Victor Valdes’ amazing performance in FC Barcelona within the 2009/10 season, Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas was chosen as Spain’s top goalie, and in fact, his record in South Africa is surely enough to prove that Coach del Bosque did not make any mistake in his selection.
Iker Casillas statistics – Saves in the 2010 World Cup
Due to his position deep in defense, it is useless to speak about the striking accuracy of goalkeeper Casillas. After all, as the one in charge of saving opposing shots, his saves are by far the most important thing on the field. As a matter of fact, Casillas has played all of Spain’s 6 World Cup matches in Africa so far, having a total of 540 minutes of play on-field.
Uruguay welcomed back skipper Diego Lugano and ‘Hand of the Devil’ idol Luis Suarez in their lineup. Meanwhile, Germany were without Podolski and goalkeeper Neuer. Bastian Schweinsteiger had to carry the captain’s armband as Joachim Lowe's youngsters were aiming to bounce back from their semi-final defeat to Spain.
Uruguay vs Germany, First Half: All Square, Thomas Muller On Target Again
The heavy rain that was pouring down prevented both teams from kicking off the match strongly. Still, early chances fell at both ends of the pitch. At a point, there was some irony in the game as Luis Suarez was the player on the pitch that made the loudest call for handball against Germany’s Cacau. The referee took the right decision in awarding Uruguay with a free-kick which Diego Forlan almost executed perfectly.
Klose got his name on the scoring sheet for Germany in the 2010 World Cup on match-day 1 against Australia, and he also clinched a goal against England in the DFB Eleven’s humiliating 4-1 triumph in the Round of 16. The Bayern Munich superstar has however revealed that he was eyeing team success ahead of Germany’s match against Uruguay, rather than individual achievement.
“The first thing I want is to win against Uruguay,” he said. “Even if I don’t...
The 2010 FIFA World Cup’s Third Place will consist of tones of relevant history; and now is the time to look at some of its main parts. Certainly, this couldn’t have been done in a better other than knowing the basic information on both teams, and to start, Live Soccer TV recalls how both Uruguay and Germany reached the semi-finals. Perhaps, as a reader, you might feel that recent analyses published on the site are more informative in Germany’s way; for that reason, this article is mainly dedicated to Uruguay’s campaign.
Uruguay – How they landed in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Third Place with Germany
Group A: Uruguay 0-0 France
Uruguay were placed in South Africa’s royal Group A along with France and Mexico; but with the hosts and Les Bleus earlier on regarded as the hot favorites to qualify for the Round of 16, the South American were forced to make extra efforts to conquer the mentality of their opponents and rule their table. It didn’t start in the best of ways though, as they drew their first match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup 0-0 with France. An unimpressive Diego Forlan was incapable of leading his side to triumph over France, and with the first red card of the World Cup being shown to one of his team mates, all that a 10-men Uruguayan side could go for, was holding on to a draw.