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Xabi Alonso believes England offer the perfect proof that Spain should take nothing for granted in the FIFA World Cup™ Final on Sunday. The UEFA EURO 2008 winners will start as favourites against the Netherlands at Soccer City this weekend following their semi-final win over Germany.

Yet Alonso is astute enough to know the favourites tag counts for nothing. After all, England were tipped to beat the United States and Algeria and top their group. To their chagrin, they managed none of it. “England had a very tough game and the expectations were very high,” said Alonso. “One bad game and you are out. That is how it works in the World Cup and that should be a warning to us on Sunday.”

With Fernando Torres on the bench and Jose Reina consigned to his role as understudy to Iker Casillas, Alonso was the nearest thing to a Premier League player in the Spain starting line-up against Germany. Alonso spent five years working with Rafael Benitez at Liverpool before switching to Real Madrid last summer.

Alonso has nothing but happy memories from his time on Merseyside, although it is clear the midfield star has now moved on. “I don’t know if I am playing better than I did when I was at Liverpool,” he said. “I really enjoyed my five years there but now I am in Spain with Real Madrid. I feel as if I am in a good moment so I don’t really think about my form.”

One bad game and you are out. That is how it works in the World Cup and that should be a warning to us on Sunday.

Xabi Alonso, Spain midfielder

Alonso might not attract the same attention as midfield colleagues Xavi and Andres Iniesta, around whom so much of Spain’s fabulous passing game is based. However, his job operating slightly further back is just as important. His reading of a game is on a par with anyone in the world and his natural ability to retain possession in the tightest of situations fits in perfectly with Spain’s game plan.

“It is a privilege to be among this group of players,” he said. “There is so much quality. I have always tried to give my best so I never worried that I would not find a way into the side. We have great competition and that is good for the team because it brings the best out of everyone.

“Whenever you are playing you have to be ready and whenever you are on the bench you have to believe you will come on. You have to support your team-mate because that is part of football. There is a good atmosphere in the team and so far things are going smoothly. We are enjoying this tournament and want to do something massive for the whole country.”

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Fifa.com

A commanding and reassuring presence in goal and a forceful character with it, Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera fulfils all the requirements of one of the most demanding posts in the game.

The Lazio custodian, who has only just turned 24, is bringing all those qualities to bear at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, making a major contribution to La Celeste’s progress towards the semi-finals, where they take on the Netherlands in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Making a name
That contribution became even more important at the climax of a gripping quarter-final against Ghana, with Muslera pulling off saves from John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah in the penalty shoot-out to help Uruguay over the line.

“When the penalties started I tried to stay calm and trust my instincts,” the Charrúa No1 told FIFA. “Luck plays a part after that of course because the odds are always stacked against the keeper at penalties.”

His performance against the Black Stars was the latest act in a dramatic rise to prominence that began only a few months ago. Making his international debut away to Ecuador in the penultimate round of qualifiers in the South America Zone, the young goalkeeper turned in an assured display that belied his age, playing a key part in his side’s crucial 2-1 win.

His composure since that impressive showing in Quito has put an end to the debate as to who should don the gloves for Uruguay. Having tried three other candidates for the job without being convinced by any of them, coach Oscar Tabarez looks to have found a long-term solution.

Out of the four keepers lining up in the semis, Muslera has made the second-highest number of saves. In pulling off 15 stops to Manuel Neuer’s 18 for Germany, the Uruguay custodian has eclipsed both Maarten Stekelenburg of the Netherlands and Spain’s Iker Casillas, who have made 13 and ten stops respectively. And like Neuer and Casillas, Muslera has conceded just two goals to date.

Setting new standards
The Uruguay shot-stopper’s tournament statistics also compare favourably with his predecessors in the post, three of whom also knew what it meant to reach the last four of the competition.

Having conceded a mere 0.4 goals per game in South Africa so far, Muslera has a better record than Enrique Ballestero, who let in 0.75 during the Uruguay’s triumphant campaign in 1930. In helping Los Charrúas win the title in 1950 and reach the last four in 1954, Gaston Maspoli conceded 1.38 goals per game, while Ladislao Mazurkiewicz, the man between the posts at England 1966, Mexico 1970 and Germany 1974, posted an average of 1.23.

Stepping out in the tournament at an earlier age than both Ballestero and Maspoli, the current incumbent can also expect to make many more FIFA World Cup finals appearances and perhaps even equal or better the mark set by Mazurkiewicz, a finals debutant at the age of 21.

A brilliant future
The unassuming Muslera has repeatedly given the credit for his excellent form to his team-mates, although as coach Tabarez points out, there is no need for him to be so modest: “He’s in great form at the moment and that gives me a lot of personal satisfaction. He showed his character in the penalty decider against Ghana and that was crucial to us getting the win.”

“He can call it luck if he wants but to my mind penalties are all about confidence and doing your job well,” says Sebastian Abreu, adding to the chorus of praise, with left-back Jorge Fucile also having his say on the man of the moment: “He’s very talented for someone so young. He gives us security and he does just the right amount of talking.”

Time will tell if Muslera can earn the same kind of status as his illustrious goalkeeping compatriots, who blazed trails long before he appeared on the scene. As beginnings go, however, his will take some beating.

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The Brazilian Football Federation have confirmed Dunga has been dismissed following the country’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup™.

Dunga indicated he was likely leave his post after Brazil’s hopes of a sixth World Cup triumph were ended by the Netherlands in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

“Ending the cycle of work that began in August 2006, and ended with the elimination of Brazil from the World Cup in South Africa, the CBF announces that the technical committee of the national team has been released,” the statement on the CBF’s official website read. “The new technical committee will be announced later this month.”

During the last four years, I have been very happy to coach this Brazil team.

Dunga, former Brazil coach.

Brazil let slip a 1-0 half-time lead to suffer a shock 2-1 loss to the Dutch. They had started the tournament well, wins over Korea DPR and Côte d’Ivoire and a draw with Portugal seeing them progress from the ‘Group of Death’ in first place.

They swept Chile aside 3-0 in the last 16 and looked to be cruising when they took a 1-0 lead over the Netherlands through Robinho. They missed several chances to extend their lead before a defensive mistake gifted Bert van Marwijk’s men an equaliser and Wesley Sneijder headed a winner.

Dunga, 46, took up the post following A Seleção’s elimination from the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, signing a four-year deal.

After the defeat on Friday he said: “I have been contracted for four years and we knew this right from the start. During the last four years, I have been very happy to coach this Brazil team and if you were to look at our players’ faces now, you would probably understand how they feel.”

Leonardo has been linked with the job after leaving AC Milan at the end of last season.

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For the man in charge of South Africa’s coffers, finance minister Pravin Gordhan, the journey to 2010 has been well worth the price tag.

National government has spent 33 billion rand over the last seven years in preparation for the World Cup, this included the building of new stadiums, improving transport infrastructure and investing in security personnel and equipment to ensure that the event is safe and secure.

In return, Government estimates that the World Cup created 130,000 jobs and will contribute 0.4 per cent to the country’s GDP this year, injecting 38 billion rand into the economy.

Today South Africa is on the map, today we have earned ourselves the reputation of a country that can deliver

South African Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan

“The full benefits we will only understand in the coming months, but clearly people have been coming into the country in large numbers and spending money, which will increase our VAT receipts, and benefit the hospitality and retail industry. The World Cup has also resulted in a new burst of entrepreneurship from South Africans,” explains Gordhan.

But the true benefits of the World Cup may only be felt in years to come as South Africa capitalises on its improved infrastructure and global image.

“Today South Africa is on the map, today we have earned ourselves the reputation of a country that can deliver,” said Gordhan.

Leading economist Iraj Abedian says that his company, Pan African Advisory Services, is already noticing increased interest in the country as an investment destination.

“There has been an amazing and remarkable mindset shift. Africa has been bedeviled by deep and wide afro-pessimism but this has been replaced with a different perception of South Africa and Africa – that of capability, which is a new thing,” explains Abedian.

Abedian explains how the World Cup will benefit different sectors of the economy at different stages.

“Businesses are seeing the event from a different set of lenses and they will be affected differently post the event. For example investment houses in South Africa are not benefitting today, but in mid to long term they are rubbing their hands as they look to attract partners for investment. On the other hand restaurant owners will be missing the event after 11 July. Hotels have created infrastructure that they are benefitting from now but after the event they going to look for other opportunities and other means to get returns on their investment. They understand that their investment won’t be paid back in 6 weeks (during the World Cup) but it is about building on their opportunities in the long run,” continued Abedian, who reflected on the increased potential for the hotel and tourism industry in particular after the tournament.

“Historically we have not been a destination from the South American market but more and more from that quarter are now visiting South Africa with four teams from this region in the last eight. It is a welcome change in diversifying tourism sources to the country”.

Both agree that the World Cup experience not only proves to the world that South Africa means business but gives the country a model for meeting many of its other infrastructure and developmental needs.

“Most interesting for me is the cross between public and private enterprise. South Africa is a developing nation and there is a backlog in infrastructure development. If we can do what we did for FIFA events such as the World Cup, with the same level of political will and coordination, can we not do the same thing for other projects? We can learn from this,” said Gordhan.

“There is a debate at the moment in the business community around delivering on scale. If the experience of 2010 is used as a platform to deal with development and the needs of our country, for the next 20 years business will continue to benefit. It is about coordinating between business and government,” said Abedian.

Assuming coach Gerardo Martino picks him to face Spain in their last-eight encounter, it will be a double case of deja vu for Paraguayan ‘grandad’ Denis Caniza. Caniza has 94 caps and is a veteran of previous FIFA World Cup™ encounters against the Spanish in 1998 and 2002.

The likelihood is that Martino will leave Caniza, of Mexican outfit Leon, in reserve but if the going gets tough he may well be prevailed upon to make an appearance and give the South Americans the benefit of his experience. So far, Caniza has appeared just once, in the goalless draw against New Zealand in the group phase that proved just enough to secure top spot, prior to the penalty shoot-out win over Japan in the last 16. Now, as the Paraguayans go into their first ever quarter-final after four near misses, Caniza is hoping for a lucky 13th personal appearance in the finals.

“We have a marvellous squad and a great generation of players, blending experience with youth,” Caniza said as he looked forward to Saturday’s game in Johannesburg. “We are one big family who love and respect each other and we are good friends.” Back in the day when he was a newcomer at France 98, the Paraguayans had several characters in the group, such as extrovert goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert.

Caniza, who has plied his trade in Argentina as well as his homeland and Mexico, will hope that Paraguay can show the kind of battling spirit that they did 12 years ago, when a goalless draw in Saint-Etienne was enough to sink Spanish hopes of getting out of the group. That year, Paraguay fell to a Laurent Blanc golden goal for eventual winners France but in beating Japan they have written a new chapter for Paraguayan football.

As Paraguay entered the group phase, Caniza was already convinced they had what it took to make a big impression, telling journalists: “Why shouldn’t we dream at least of making it into the final week?”

A more personal dream sees the 35-year-old from Bella Vista Norte, as squad skipper, actually lifting the trophy on July 11. But for now he will settle for a win over Spain and at least a cameo from the bench towards that end.

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Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque insists his team will not be underestimating Paraguay after beating Portugal 1-0 to set up a quarter-final clash with the South Americans.

The European champions had a second-half David Villa strike to thank for their victory on Tuesday and Del Bosque was happy with what he saw. “The match was extremely intense,” he said. “It was quite even in the first half, but we always controlled the game and in the second half we were better than them. We had greater depth but it was a difficult game and our rivals were extremely solid.”

Villa pounced in the 63rd minute, chipping a rebound over goalkeeper Eduardo after his first shot was saved to keep his team on track for their first ever FIFA World Cup™ title.

If they beat Paraguay on Saturday then Argentina or Germany await them in the semi-finals, although Del Bosque is only looking ahead one match at a time. “We shall not underestimate Paraguay and prepare for them with great respect,” he said of a team who won a dramatic penalty shoot-out 5-3 against Japan after their last-16 match in Pretoria finished scoreless.

“They have very good defenders but also attackers. We must be fully focused to win that match. We know how difficult it is to be victorious, we can’t take anything for granted. We must be hugely respectful of our next opponents.”

Barcelona’s Villa, who now has four goals in South Africa, refused to see Spain as clear favourites against the Paraguayans, who are in their first ever FIFA World Cup quarter-final. “I am very happy tonight, although there are two favourites for the quarters. However, I am confident we can come through,” he said.

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Fabio Capello has given an insight into how he sees the future England as he picks over the ashes of his team’s FIFA World Cup™ exit. The England manager, who says he wants to stay in the post, has been told he must wait two weeks before his employers, the Football Association (FA), decide whether he will complete the two remaining years of his current contract, which takes him up to the end of the UEFA EURO 2012 finals.

But the Italian is already discussing ways of refreshing his team for the EURO 2012 qualifiers after seeing the way his experienced side, many of whom have played in two or even three previous major tournaments, failed to deliver.

With typical self confidence the former AC Milan, Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid manager feels he did everything right to prepare his team but was let down by his players, particularly in a 4-1 last-16 exit against Germany which was England’s biggest FIFA World Cup finals defeat.

Now, his own future aside, the biggest debate in England is which players should be dropped and who should be brought in to rescue English football from yet another low point. Capello was, as expected, tight-lipped on the former of those two questions but happy to discuss the players who could potentially be drafted in for a new era next season.

“We talked about this with my staff,” he said. “I think we will find two or three new players, probably, for the EURO. Adam Johnson, the Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs. Also Michael Dawson, although he is not young. Also Gabriel Agbonlahor and Bobby Zamora, who was injured this time. And another player we will hope will be fit is Owen Hargreaves.

Every game we played in this period, seven games in all including friendlies and at the World Cup, I never saw the players that I can see in the autumn or two months after Christmas.

Fabio Capello, England coach

“The best young players are in the under 21s and are not ready to play here at the World Cup. But I hope in the next year or six months people will come through. I hope Theo Walcott will be back and his shoulder is ok. And Jack Wilshere is another interesting player. I hope some good players will be ready in six months, it’s possible.”

Capello, who also hinted at a big future for goalkeeper Joe Hart, knows his brave new world with England will be subject to the same restrictions and problems that affected the current squad, however. With only 38 per cent of players in the Premier League eligible to play for England the talent pool remains shallow and the intense, physical nature of the league means injuries and tiredness are par for the course.

“I know a lot of things about the players and what happened,” insisted Capello as he made a case for two more years in charge. “I know more now than before because I realised what happened when we arrived at the World Cup. I understand more things. And I understand one thing really important, I understand why England didn’t win before. The England players arrive at the end of the season tired.

“Every game we played in this period, seven games in all including friendlies and at the World Cup, I never saw the players that I can see in the autumn or two months after Christmas. They were training well, were focused, but they are not the same players, not as fast or quick, as I know. I want to change something but it’s impossible, there are too many games in the season. They play, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday.”

That, if Capello does remain in charge, could prove to be his biggest challenge, but he is adamant he wants a chance to prove he can change England’s fortunes. “I prefer to stay,” he insisted. “We need time to recover and be fresh.”