God couldn't save the Queen (or England).

Unfortunately, it is to be.

And so it is, just like I said it will be.

England departs in sorrow.

At least they lost to a better team.

Germany was clinical, effective and played attractive football. Gone are the boring boring Germans. Toast a beer to that.

England has much to reflect. They looked like they were overwhelmed. They lacked invention against a young and supposedly inexperienced German side.

Cry foul over the disallowed equaliser by Lampard, but that will do injustice to the Germans who were strangely an unfamiliar opposition; they literally played like possessed South Americans.

At the end of the day, a 4-1 scoreline does not lie. The better side won. (Who needs Ballack?)

England will need another time, another place, another chance, another World Cup. Just not this one.

The French Nightmare

If the Frenchman has a nightmare, it will be World Cup 2010.

One lame duck draw, two losses, one revolt and one sad man of a coach Raymond Domenech, and the French return home in utter embarassment.

Like I said before, when the French got through to this Finals through the skin of their teeth by that infamous handball incident by Henry, the French will never get far with Domenech at the helm. The man is a one man disaster, destroying everything the French were; once footballing powerhouses.

The French players are equally at fault. Having a revolution during the Finals is something I thought only the Dutch team was prone to. Captain Patrice Evra was dropped for the final match with South Africa, presumably for leading the revolt. Even the usually quiet Anelka had a go at Domenech. You could imagine how much control and respect Domenech has on the team - zilch.

I hope for the sake of France that Laurent Blanc can turn the team around. He probably will rid himself of the old guard and pass the baton to a new generation.

And to think four years ago, they were competing in the final with Italy, only for Zidane's headbutt to steal the limelight.

How quickly things have changed for France.

The Blame Game

I remembered when I was a little boy, I played plenty of void deck soccer with this deflated football that simply cannot roll properly. Heck, we were kids and the boys always have fun kicking something round anyway. If we had a tennis ball, we'll probably played it too.

So as you have it, the deflated ball seldom goes in the direction the kicker wants it to go. All too often, I missed an open goal (made up of two slippers at each end) because the ball just would not roll straight. This was a typical conversation after a horrific miss:

Me: "Alamak, it is the ball's fault la..."

Boy A: "No la, you just suck at football..."

Boy B: "Ya man, open goal also cannot score"

Me: "Buy a new ball la, this kind of ball how to play ?!?!?"

Everyone else: "You are just lousy... HAHAHAHAHA !!!"

Suck it up and get on with life.

Well, it seems grown men have a knack for pushing the blame too. And when they cannot find someone to blame, they blame the ball. The poor Jabulani ball got all the blame from grown men, Italians, Africans, Brazilians, Englishmen what have you... the Maradonas and the Capellos too.

Grown men who are professional players and seasoned managers blaming a ball for their inadequate displays.

Laughable. I am sick of this ball talk, whether it rolls badly or plays like a cheap beach ball blah blah blah... football can be played with a rag ball for all I care. The event deserves more respect than the condition of the ball.

Grow up boys, shut the nonesense and get on with it.

The Brown Boy Syndrome

So the brown boy syndrome is alive and well in the World Cup...

What?!?! What the heck is the brown boy syndrome??

Oh you mean you didn't know? The brown boys are affectionately known as the beautiful ones of modern football; the sun-kissed, hunky, cute boys who bask in the Meditarranean sun. And the Brown Boy Syndrome is quite simply... the choking up of brown boys at the biggest tournament in the world; the World Cup.

Who are the brown boys ??? Cristiano Ronaldo, David Villa... the Portugese and Spanish super-hunks who get girls saliviating over them and always make for extreme eye candy for the spouses of football-mad husbands. Unfortunately... the brown boy syndrome wipes off all the gloss (or suntan oil, whichever way you see it).

Just this morning, I heard a forty year old lady, a single and professional medical doctor mind you... swoon over the cute Spanish boys from yesterday's match (but she just couldn't hide her disappointment on their lacklustre loss to the mechanical Swiss team)

Skilful, macho, athletic, pretty football. All of that just could not match up for pure drive, desire, discipline and... mother luck. Spain played pretty but their "prettiness" cost them dear.

The brown boy syndrome is alive and well indeed.

p.s. That Cristiano sure has a tight ass... awww...

Cyborg Football

So the most anticipated match in the first round of the World Cup has been played.

The samba kings of football Brazil vs the mystery men of North Korea. Final score: 2-1 to the Brazilians.

I must say I was the most excited person when it came down to this match; well simply because I just wanted to know how the North Koreans look like, whether they have two legs just like normal humans do, or are they fitted with the latest psychopathic bionic legs invented by one of those nuclear scientists working for Kim Jong Il.

Now before you laugh... c'mon... don't tell me you did not just turn on the TV to watch this match so that you can have a glimpse of how the heck North Koreans actually play football, or for the record look and behave? They are so shrouded in mystery and fanatism about their beloved leader Kim that the stark contrast between sombre North Koreans against outgoing and partying Brazilians is a brilliant side-show for all soccer fans.

Unfortunately for the suspense-hungry and sci-fi hippies, the North Koreans look just like us: normal human beings. And no, they don't behave like those weird villians i.e. Zao (pic above) typecasted as lunatics you see in those lame James Bond movies.

Yes, yes... they played football in a cagey and stifling manner, what do you expect them to do? Going head on against the silky smooth Brazilians is suicidal. Plus, they scored a goal in an opening match against the favourites, something Portugal and Ivory Coast despite all their firepower will have desperately wanted in their own matchup earlier. What the North Koreans lack in talent and skill, they made up with courage and no-nonsense discipline.

Maybe not cyborg football as I might have expected it (bionic legs and all...) but at least you saw 11 men working cyborg-like as one on the football field.

I love World Cup football.

Goalkeeper Bloopers.

Here we go again. Goalkeeper bloopers.

You cannnot have a complete World Cup without some goalie bloopers. Clearly the tradition is alive and well.

You have the regular Englishman who keeps up the proud English tradition of goalkeepers with butter fingers. England's first choice Robert Green isn't the first. Remember David Seaman? How about Paul Robinson, Scott Carson and David James? There must be something wrong with the goalkeeping academies of England. They should take a leaf out of Italian and Spanish goalkeeping academies (think Buffon, Toldo, Casillas, Valdes, Reina).

Alas, the pitiful Algerian keeper gave Slovenia a 1-0 win with his rendition of "Robert Green's finest moment".

So there you have it, the first bit of evidence that the World Cup is truly under way after all the hoorah of the opening ceremony and South Africa's massive display before the world.

Here is to more bloopers, more drama and more upsets !! Cheers !!

This time for Africa

So the World Cup kicked off to music and partying ala African style.

The opening match between South Africa and Mexico was entertaining, with chances on both sides and for a moment, everyone thought the land that is representative of freedom from years of racism has achieved yet another memorable evening with a stunning goal. Too bad the Mexicans came storming back to force a draw.

I love the color of this World Cup. It is fun, it is representative and it is different from the rest we have had so far. More importantly, it is in the land of Nelson Mandela, the man I think has single handedly taught the world that the ideals of peace, love and the undying human spirit can change your circumstances no matter how drab it may be.

Many ask me the question "Who will win the World Cup?" While it makes for interesting debate and beer talk, the World Cup is always quite predictable, yet it manages to spring surprises from time to time. The usual suspects Brazil and Germany will be there. The usual under-performers Holland, England and Spain will be there. And even if Spain and England are tipped for glory yet again, I doubt the gods of football like to change scripts too much. The prized trophy at the World Cup has been shared mostly by the same few teams; Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina. It says plenty, they know how to win at the world stage. It is in the culture, it is in the blood.

But in a land whereby the impossible has been achieved, could it be the year of an African nation?

I have a sneaky feeling that one of the African nations will progress far enough to surprise a few pundits and I just think that Argentina despite all its problems is going to be a serious challenger (Messi could be the catalyst that Maradona was.) Capello's England will depart in sorrow again. Brazil and Spain got to pace themselves. It is a MARATHON. Nobody wins the World Cup by stepping all over the weaker teams at the start. They tend to lose momentum eventually, crumbling under early pressure from home and the world media. So write off France at your own peril. The French are more than capable of springing a surprise.

Who will win the World Cup? Who cares? Enjoy the ride.

Rafa Benitez has to walk alone after 6 years with Liverpool.

It is official. Rafa Benitez has left Liverpool by mutual consent and with compensation estimated around 6 million pounds.

Benitez has helped Liverpool reach highs and lows throughout his 6 year stint. Winning the Champions League and finishing 2nd place in the 08/09 Season for BPL. Benitez is well known for his queer tactics and positioning of players on the field. Despite a poor 09/10 season, Benitez did afterall contributed to Liverpool's growth over the last 6 years.

Now that the inevitable has happened, the question lies in the who the successor will be. Will it be Kenny Daglish, Roy Hodgson, Guus Hiddink or even Mark Hughes? We will probably find out after the World Cup.

TST editors would like to wish Rafa Benitez the very best in his future career. TST will follow closely the developments at Liverpool and wish for a quick and informed decision to bring someone who will lead Liverpool to win the elusive BPL.

Bye bye Rafa ??

Is it finally goodbye to Rafa for Liverpool fans?

Looks likely. The owners are eager to get rid of him and Rafa looks forlorn and beaten.

The fans who stood by him are no longer so sure of his capabilities to return the club to the glory days of yester-years.

Rafa is starting to lose his dressing room as well, with rumors flying all over of unsettled players and unhappy campers.

It is time for change at Liverpool Football Club.

Whispers are growing in volume that King Kenny Daglish will be taking over as temp manager. I say that is a right move forward for a club which used to pride themselves in British talent... badly missed under the reign of Rafa.

Ah... "You never walk alone"... ...

Looks like Rafa is facing the dreaded walk alone... out of Anfield.

Joe Cole to OT?

Believe the rumors at your own peril.

But this is one I will like to believe and I believe will happen soon.

Joe Cole is set to snub Chelsea and sign for Man Utd. He is set to join Michael Owen as talented English players who had long injury layoffs and admired in their youth by the best manager in England, Sir Alex Ferguson.

And I think it is a rumor that is spinning the right way. He is on a free transfer, he gets to go to the biggest club in England, and he fits the bill at Man Utd who is looking for a talented and footballing winger to replace an ageing legend in Ryan Giggs.

Usually rumors turn out fake, but I got a good feeling about this one.