SPAIN 2 - HONDURAS 0

David Villa almost had a perfect night as a goal in each half from the new Barcelona recruit helped Spain get their World Cup campaign back on track.

A wonderful individual effort in the first half was followed by a goal forged by brilliant movement off the ball in the second. The only thing missing was the hat-trick to crown the performance as he sidefooted wide a second-half penalty and struck the crossbar early on.

Back to their sublime best, Spain's nerves were settled after the early goal and they never looked like letting Honduras back into the game. Fluid and commanding in possession, their passing moves were a joy to watch and Iker Casillas in goal hardly had a touch.

The win was vital after the opening Group H defeat to Switzerland and Vicente Del Bosque's side finally looked to have settled into the tournament.

BOLA BOYZ   WORLD CUP   3-5-2 FOOTBALL  

Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE STAR

GERRARD READY TO MAKE HIS MARK

England captain Steven Gerrard has called on his side to announce themselves at the World Cup with a convincing win over Algeria.

The Three Lions take on Algeria in Cape Town on Friday looking to improve from their opening draw with the United States.

Gerrard insists the whole squad is determined to prove their critics wrong and show why Fabio Capello's men are regarded as one of the favourites to go all the way in South Africa.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL   STEVEN GERRARD

Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE STAR

SPAIN 0 - SWITZERLAND 1

A scrappy second-half goal by Gelson Fernandes gave Switzerland a shock 1-0 victory over World Cup favourites Spain in their Group H opener in Durban.

Although the Spaniards dominating possession, the Swiss took a surprise lead in the 52nd minute with Fernandes firing past goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Spain's Xabi Alonso was denied by the crossbar in the 71st minute as his team wasted a hatful of chances to restore parity.

Swiss' Eren Derdiyok struck the far post in the 75th minute but his hard-working team held on for an historic win against the European champions in front of 62,000 spectators at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The Swiss assured themselves of victory with an efficient performance that relied on making the most of their limited chances.

WORLD CUP   BOLA BOYZ   LIVERPOOL

 

HOLLAND 2 - DENMARK 0

An own goal by Daniel Agger, thanks to Simon Poulsen's mistimed header, and a late Dirk Kuyt effort helped Netherlands begin their World Cup campaign with a comfortable victory over Denmark at Soccer City.

Both goals came in the second half after an assured first period of defending by the Scandinavians, who constantly thwarted a Dutch attack which appeared short of ideas without the injured Arjen Robben.

But the resistance was broken less than 60 seconds into the second half, when Robin van Persie's cross from the left was headed in the wrong direction by Simon Poulsen - he tried to head clear and sent it towards his own goal - and it struck the back of Agger and went in.

Kuyt doubled Netherlands' advantage five minutes from the end to ensure the highly-fancied Oranje a positive start in Group E.

3-5-2 FOOTBALL  ARSENAL  LIVERPOOL

 

Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE STAR

ENGLAND 1 - USA 1

A terrible error by Robert Green cost England two points in their World Cup opener, as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with the United States of America.

Steven Gerrard had the Three Lions in front early on, with the new skipper leading by example throughout. However, the USA were level shortly before half-time when a tame effort from Clint Dempsey slipped through Green's grasp and into the back of the net.

ARSENAL   MANCHESTER UNITED   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL

CLICK HERE for more WORLD CUP 2010 updates!

GERRARD WARNED ENGLAND SQUAD

England skipper Steven Gerrard has warned his team-mates to keep their cool at the World Cup to avoid any unnecessary suspensions. Discipline of England's players has come under the microscope after Wayne Rooney was booked for swearing at referee Jeff Selogilwe during Tuesday's friendly win over local side Platinum Stars.

Reports have suggested the officials for England's opening game with the USA have been learning English profanities in order to know what to listen out for. Gerrard has called on his team-mates not to get caught in the trap and underlined the importance of not losing any personnel during the tournament because of indiscipline.

BOLA BOYZ   LIVERPOOL   STEVEN GERRARD   NOBLESTAR

 CLICK HERE for more WORLD CUP 2010 updates!

REDS WANT REDKNAPP

 

Liverpool are planning a shock move for Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp. The Anfield outfit are searching for a new man at the helm after Rafa Benitez's six-year reign was brought to an end by mutual consent on Thursday. And Spurs boss Redknapp has emerged as a leading contender for the Reds hierarchy as they aim to bring stability back to Merseyside.

 

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and managing director Christian Purslow have been charged with the task of identifying and selecting a replacement. Dalglish knows Redknapp well having brought his son Jamie to Anfield in January 1991 when he was at the helm of the five-time European champions and the two families have been close ever since.

 

BOLA BOYZ   3-5-2 FOOTBALL   LIVERPOOL   SOCCERTALKS  

Anywhere… Everywhere… We'll Deliver! - NOBLE STAR

 

LAMPARD TO WORK WITH CAPTAIN GERRARD

 

Frank Lampard believes he can forge a successful partnership with new captain Steven Gerrard in the heart of England's midfield. Gerrard has been handed the armband for the World Cup after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out with a knee problem on Thursday.

 

Lampard, who is now the team's vice-captain, is fully behind the decision and has no doubts that Gerrard will thrive on the added responsibility as he does at club level. Lampard and Gerrard could be asked to line up together in central midfield against USA next Saturday, with Gareth Barry doubtful due to an ankle problem.

MANCHESTER UNITED   CHELSEA   LIVERPOOL   STEVEN GERRARD

 

BENITEZ LEAVES REDS

 

Rafael Benitez has left Liverpool, reportedly by mutual consent. Benitez, who took over from Gerard Houllier in 2004, found his position untenable after a disappointing season which saw Liverpool finish seventh in the Premier League, just 12 months after being runners-up to Manchester United.

 

The club have released a statement on their official website which reads: "Liverpool FC today confirmed that Rafael Benitez is to leave the club by mutual consent.

 

The board has now asked Managing Director Christian Purslow, with the assistance of Club Ambassador Kenny Dalglish, to begin a formal search to identify and assess potential candidates for the managerial position.
 

WORLD CUP  LIVERPOOL  STEVEN GERRARD  NOBLESTAR

WARM-UP: HOLLAND 4 - GHANA 1

 

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt sent Holland on their way to a crushing friendly victory over disappointing Ghana in Rotterdam. Kuyt struck the game's opener on the half hour and second-half efforts from Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie saw the hosts ease home. Asamoah Gyan netted for the Africans.

 

Kuyt stabbed the ball home from close range after Ghana keeper Richard Kingson had parried the initial shot from van Persie. Coach Bert van Marwijk made three half-time substitutions and the Dutch struggled to make the game safe before Van der Vaart finished off a one-two with Mark van Bommel on 73 minutes.

 

Ghana pulled one back through Gyan before a long-range effort from Sneijder and a late penalty from Van Persie wrapped up a convincing Dutch win.

BOLA BOYZ     WORLD CUP