Wednesday, October 14, 2009

FINAL ROUND OF QUALIFIERS

"What's wrong with these players? Eh? What's wrong with them? They deserved support and respect. Arrivederci."

That was the words of the Marcello Lippi at the Italian press conference as he stormed off.Italy beat Cyprus with a different x11 and yet the fans were screaming the names of other players.Lippi was furious as Italy had already qualified and he got the same treatment before 2006.
All be it Italy are not the Italy of 2006 and I dont think they will retain the World Cup.But lets wait and see.

Also good to see the Portuguese and French make it to the playoffs. I spoke to a friend in Portugal and she said the town was going mad with hooters and fans in the street.
It would obviously be great to see the Portuguese and their fans in 2010.
And as for Argentina Maradona and his men have pulled it off.
They scored late and the goal ensured their passage.

Great for South Africa and great for 2010 to see the Argentines

Maradona responded to critics after the match, having come under fire for most of the qualifying campaign since taking charge a year ago as Argentina's manager.



"For those who didn't believe in this national team, for those who treated me like garbage I say we are in the World Cup with all the honours, beating a team like Uruguay," the 48-year-old said.

Many pundits are saying that why did Argentina perform so poorly with such great players.Is it Maradona?


AFRICA


After the weekends qualifiers in Africa, Ivory Coast got the point they needed to join Ghana as the 2 African nations who have already qualified for the World Cup. Cameroon & Gabon both won their games taking that Group to the final round of matches with Cameroon leading by 1 point. Both Tunisia & Nigeria won taking Group B to the final round of games with Tunisia 2 points ahead. In Group C Egypt are 3 points behind Algeria going in to the final round of games where they play Algeria at home. Egypt need to beat Algeria 2-0 or more to qualify.


ASIA


In the Asia/Oceania playoff Bahrain and New Zealand played to a goalless draw. The return leg to be played in New Zealand in November.


SOUTH AMERICA


Argentina & Chile join Brazil & Paraguay as the 4 automatic qualifiers from South America. Argentina did it with 2 late winners against both Peru & Uruguay. Although Uruguay lost their final match against Argentina they will challenge Costa Rica in the playoffs.


CONCACAF


Mexico, USA & Honduras are the automatic qualifiers from the CONCACAF section with Costa Rica facing Uruguay in the playoffs.


EUROPE


In Europe Spain who had already qualified along with England and Holland maintained their 100% Record by winning both their games. Joining the 3 automatic qualifiers already are Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Italy & Serbia. The 8 teams going to the playoffs for the 4 remaining European spots are Portugal, Greece, France, Russia, Bosnia, Slovenia, Ukraine & Republic of Ireland. The draw for the playoffs will take place on Monday.

GAUTRAIN





The Gautrain is a New Transport Project undertaken by South Africa of a Rapid Rail System travelling between OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg & Tshwane (Pretoria). The New Rapid Rail is expected to reach maximum speeds of 160 to 180 km/h. It is being developed to decrease traffic congestion between Johannesburg and Pretoria on both the M1 and N1. The Gautrain is targeting existing motorists in Gauteng who travel between Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is also targeting all passengers travelling to and from OR Tambo International.



 The two main routes planned for the Gautrain is the South-North Route starting from Park Station JHB going to Hatfield Station in Pretoria. The East-West Route will start in Sandton going via Marlboro towards the OR Tambo International Airport. The East West Route which runs from Oliver Tambo International Airport via Rhodesfield & Marlboro Stations to Sandton Station is expected to be ready for use by the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the full Gautrain Route is expected tgo be running by March 2011. (Route Map Below)


 KEY FEATURES


There are 10 stations covering an 80 km route. The Stations include


Park Station, Rosebank, Sandton, Marlboro, Midrand, Centurion & Hatfield on The South to North Line and Sandton, Marlboro, Rhodefield and Oliver Tambo International Airport on the East to West Line including an Express Non-Stop Service from Sandton to Oliver Tambo International Airport expected to be about 15 minutes. Marlboro will serve as the link station between the 2 different Gautrain Routes. The total time between Park Station and Hatfield on the North-South Route will be 42 minutes including all stops. (Artists Impression of OR Tambo International Airport Station)








There will be 24 separate 4-car trains. The 2 forward cars on the Airport Rail Service will have fewer seats but more space for baggage storage. After the initial phase trains will be increased to 8-car train sets. Trains will be operated every 12 minutes during peak periods at each station and will be stopped for 45 seconds at each station. There will be tight security to ensure a safe journey for all passengers.





All stations will have Buses for feeder distribution linked to Gautrain times at each station for passengers to reach their exact destination. Park & Ride Facilities will also be provided at each station for up to 10000 cars. Gautrain’s Dedicated Bus Link with a fleet of 125 gold luxury buses will assist passengers using the Gautrain to enjoy a door to door service. The New Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system will also work in collaboration with the Gautrain.


Electronic Smart Card tickets which are easily accessible at self help vending machines, will allow passengers to use for Train Trips, as well as Feeder Bus Services and Parking Bays. The pricing for using the Gautrain will be finalised by December 15 2009.




Galactico

2010 STADIUM UPDATE
I recieved an email from Ebie Kop End. Here are some pics on how the stadiums are shaping up

Soccer City near Soweto, Johannesburg


Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban


Green Point Stadium in Cape Town



Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane


Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth

Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit

6 comments:

  1. Cant wait for 2010.Take a bow SA

    ReplyDelete
  2. All the talent but struggling.Welcome to SA Argentina

    ReplyDelete
  3. Durban has to be the most beautiful.

    Westville Outie

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  4. Galactico
    Insightfull information on the Gautrain.I am based in Dubai at the moment and I am due back in SA before the World Cup.
    One thing worries me.With crime in SA is it safe to leave your car the entire day at the stations and commute via the Gautrain.
    Dont get me wrong its a step up.But how safe is the Gautrains infrastructure like parking etc.

    Ahmed

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  5. The Atmosphere in Bloemfontein is incredible.With the stadium in close proximity to the Waterfront and mall,Bloemfontein will be rocking.Cant wait

    ReplyDelete
  6. Are you paying over $5 per pack of cigs? I buy all my cigarettes over at Duty Free Depot and this saves me over 70%.

    ReplyDelete

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