FIFA World Cup 2010

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is just a week away and teams are already having mixed results in their build up matches. Teams like France and Portugal struggled in their warm up matches and they really have to dig deep if they want to make an impact at the World Cup.

France who qualified to the world cup with a controversy, are in Group A and looks to be the favourite to advance to the next round along with the hosts South Africa. France have quality players like Franc Ribery, Theirry Henry, Yoanne Gourcuff and Nicolas Anelka.

Group B has Diego Maradona's Argentina who boast World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi, are certain to advance with Coach Maradona publicly announcing that if Argentina wins the world cup, he would run around naked in the streets of Buenos Airres.

England heads Group C with USA their closest rivals. England will miss the services of Rio Ferdinand and David Beckham but the team cannot be counted out with in form Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and John Terry expecting to play a huge role in their campaign.

In my pool of death, Germany, Australia, Ghana and Serbia will have a go at each other and its really difficult to predict the second team alongside Germany to advance through.

Netherlands with Cameroon and World Champions Italy alongside Paraguay are likely to advance from Group E and Group F respectably.

Five times winners and the number 1 team in the world Brazil head Group G and is certain to advance with either Portugal or Ivory Coast. Brazil has Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Kaka and Robinho and notable exclusions are Ronaldinho and Pato..Portugal has Real madrid star Christiano Ronaldo.

Group H includes Spain and with the likes of Iker Casillas, Puyol, Iniesta, David Villa, Xavi, Torres, Fabregas, Sergio Ramos and David Silva all making a trip to South Africa are surely a team to beat.

So lets countdown to the biggest sporting event in the world, The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Fiji Soccer

The President of Fiji Football Association Dr Samshu Din Sahu Khan should immediately step down from his post. Being at the helm of Fiji soccer for over 20 years, Sahu Khan has not managed to take Fiji to greater heights. When I say greater heights, I mean Fiji did not qualify to the World Cup yet. Fiji soccer is finding it very difficult to beat teams like Solomons, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Tahiti let alone New Zealand in the qualifiers. Look at New Zealand, they will compete at the greatest sporting event in the world starting in two weeks time.

Former Rewa and National rep Abdul Manaan has always criticized the President. He has often questioned Fiji FA on their development. He thinks the districts are scared to vote against Khan. The districts will be fined if they do so. Former Suva and National rep Maretino Nemani shared similar sentiments. When Nemani was the Suva Soccer President, he raised his voice against Khan. He believes its not Sahu Khan's fault, its the districts who give him vote.

Fiji has failed to qualify for any world event. The Solomon Islands already participated in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and the Futsal World Cup. Tahiti U20 Soccer team played in the U20 World Cup and the New Zealand Football team will have a crack at the 2010 FIFA World cup. And not forgetting the Hekari Football Club who will represent Oceania in the World Club Championship in December.

When will we see any of our national soccer team play in any world cup?? Perhaps never because Fiji soccer administration are just doing nothing. They have placed too much focus on district level. Fans get really excited when a soccer tournament nears. We all should ask Fiji FA what will happen after any particular tournaments. I mean why are we having three major tournaments in Fiji?? To select good players for the national team for international matches, or it is just a good way to make money??

Fiji is currently ranked 132 in the world and still Fiji FA puts much emphasis on districts. Fresh minds are needed in the administration. Fiji soccer is going down. We only play when we are supposed to play, like the Oceania World Cup qualifiers. Does Fiji soccer play any friendly internationals? No

Dr Sahu Khan has stated that anyone speaking against him will not be left, but action will be taken so why saying much, afterall Sahu Khan will continue as the president and Fiji soccer will never qualify for any world event.