Ten Things We Have Learned From the Group Stages at World Cup 2010
26/6/2010 5:23 AM GMT By Jon West
It all started a little slowly but now South Africa 2010 has really taken off as the group stages came to a flurry of fascinating - and in so many cases unexpected - conclusions. Fanhouse UK considers the lessons to be learned ahead of the 'Round of 16', as FIFA snappily likes to call the first knockout stage.
1. That just because you've won it before doesn't mean you're any good now.
That certainly applied to England in their first two games but 2006 finalists Italy and France certainly took the heat off the Three Lions with their rush for the self-destruct button. Holders Italy couldn't beat New Zealand and ended up finishing rock bottom of Group F by somehow being given the run-around by previously-inert Slovakia. And the squabbling that occupied the French squad's time before, after and, as it turned out, during games was pure soap opera.
2. That Fabio Capello needed to lighten up.
It's all very well being a stern mafia Godfather figure when you only see the players for a few hours at a time but when everyone's cooped up in the same hotel for weeks on end then you need more than a nice line in hard stares. So well done Fabio for adopting the Brian Clough approach and getting a few beers in. That post-match group hug was sweet too. Ahh.
3. That African sides don't seem to do well in Africa.
The African Nations Cup has been dominated by one team in recent years - but Egypt aren't in South Africa 2010. The hosts, Nigeria and Cameroon played some great football yet somehow contrived to mess it all up and Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast couldn't cut the mustard either. Only Ghana made a decent fist of it, but then again they were the team Egypt beat in Angola earlier in the year. Instead, it was Asian duo Japan and South Korea who rose to the occasion. Odd really.
4. That cheats never prosper.
France again, who else? Thierry Henry's handball against the Republic of Ireland in the play-offs came back to haunt Les Bleus after all, although the vengeful gods of football were trampled by Raymond Domenech's own players in the rush to sink this particular unhappy ship. As for Henry, he sat sulking on the sidelines for most of it - and then was summoned by President Sarkozy for an explanation. Oh dear.
5. That Diego Maradona is as much a football genius off the pitch than he was on it.
Three wins and counting, Argentina look a force to be reckoned with. And that's egg on the faces of all those critics who said he didn't have a clue. Too many strikers to cram into a squad? No problem - just take the lot. And all those great quotes as well. Insults to Pele, insults to Michel Platini, his promise to run naked round Buenos Aires if they won. Quality beard too Diego.
5. Australasia is on the rise
Successive World cups for Australia and a valiant effort by New Zealand has shown that football is on the rise in Australasia. Australia are slowly becoming a force in World Football and we look forward to seeing them in Brazil in 2014. Perhaps under the tutelage of Cabbage man Cappello or The Special One. The challenge is on the Kiwi's to show this appearance wasn't a flash in the plan and let's hope we don't have to wait another 28 years till we next see them on the World Stage.
6. That we really do need video evidence to help officials.
Why not? It's not as though there aren't enough cameras at each game. The ludicrous sending off of Brazil's Kaka, who barely touched his play-acting opponent, would never have happened had the referee been able to have a quiet word with a man near a monitor for a few moments. It's just common sense.
7. That the World Cup can still make dreams come true.
Before the tournament, New Zealand's Shane Smeltz struggled to justify the label journeyman, having enjoyed a less than stellar career in England with Mansfield, AFC Wimbledon and Halifax Town. But he still scored against reigning champions Italy and can dine off the memory for the rest of his puff. And the same goes for that guy from North Korea who scored against Brazil. Actually, probably not in his case. He might just get away with five years hard labour instead of the 10 the rest of the squad can look forward to on their return to Pyongyang.
8. That South American soccer is in rude health.
And not just Brazil and Argentina either. Uruguay and Paraguay all qualified with ease and it would have been a travesty had not Chile gone through having won their first two games.
9. That World Cups and Wayne Rooney just don't mix.
Same goes for Frank Lampard too. No matter how hard they try, no matter how many shots they fire in, they just never end up scoring. Ever. Go on then you two, prove me wrong.
10. That England can play well but still can't beat the Germans on penalties.
Oh hang on, that's Sunday's lesson. Sorry.
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