Pearl

Pending Delete
 View profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    530

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Pearl

  2. Posted

    Toy Story 3. I came back home late yesterday, totally exhausted, and my dear friend was waiting for me with a dvd copy of Toy Story 3. When the first Toy Story came out in 1995, I was only six years old. For any person that grew up along these movies, it is impossible not to feel moved by this part. It made me smile, laugh and cry. Unbelievable. It is another huge Pixar success.

    Stunning animation, great action and fantastic comedy. It reminds you of being a kid and reminds that is fine to grow up. Great finish to an amazing series. :)

  3. Posted

    I read the book and found it pretty good. Well written but I had a feeling that it was highly based on stereotypes. And I fear that it may be difficult to translate this book into a Hollywood film.

  5. Posted

    gamefeaturesPack_pc_en.png

    Contract Negotiations - making its debut in Football Manager 2011 is a new live contract negotiation system, with a host of new contract clauses. Learn to deal with different types of agents as you try to secure your next big signing.

    Re-vamped training system - including more basic training schedules and individual training focus where players can be in trained in 14 different skill areas. Plus, a new match preparation area, where you can get your team to concentrate on special focus areas, and train in specific tactics, in the lead up to a match.

    Improved Interaction - new board request and backroom advice options as well as a new player interaction module allowing you to have private conversations with your players, including lots of options never seen before, taking interaction to a whole new level.

    News subscription service - expanded to make the way that news and mail is distributed even more user friendly and immersive. Dozens of additional news items and a new module written to add more intelligence in the news items themselves.

    Match View - play under the glare of the floodlights for the first time with night matches and over 100 new animations including player models, stadiums, goal celebrations and much, much more. Not forgetting improvements to what was already the best match simulation on the market.

    Dynamic League Reputation - a new feature meaning as teams get stronger and perform better on a continental level, the league they play in will also get stronger, attracting more players to want to play in the league and a more accurate modelling of the changing face of world football.

    So have you played the demo yet? The full version of FM11 is still set for release on November 5.

  8. Posted

    Inception

    What a beautiful story. The ending of this film is pure catharsis. There are certain questions which can never be answer. Is he still dreaming or not? There is evidence for both sides, but nowhere near enough to be conclusive either way and I love it. I hope Nolan never clarifies it.

  13. Posted

    Venue: Soccer City, Johannesburg

    Date: Sunday, 11 July 2010

    Kick-off: 19:30 BST

    soccer-city-jhb.jpg

    The first World Cup in Africa will produce a new winner when the two greatest footballing nations never to have won the game's biggest prize meet at Soccer City on Sunday. Will the Spanish finally find El Dorado, or is the future Oranje?

    Spain's previous best finish at the World Cup was fourth place in 1950, but football's great underachievers now have the opportunity to win their second major title in as many years to confirm their status as the greatest current team in international football. Vicente del Bosque's side have won 50 of their last 54 games playing a mesmeric passing game, demoralising and eventually exhausting their opponents with one-touch possession football.

    The Netherlands reached the 1974 and 1978 finals playing their own brand of the beautiful game, but while Total Football may have been consigned to history, Bert van Marwijk's class of 2010 have discovered a winning formula just as effective. The Dutch are on a 25-match unbeaten streak and are hoping to emulate the Brazilian side of 1970 as the only team to have a 100% record in both qualifying and the tournament itself.

    For Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Klass-Jan Huntelaar and Rafael van der Vaart, Sunday's final provides the perfect occasion to remind Spain of their talents. The first three were deemed surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, while the latter's future there is in doubt. In a further subplot, Sneijder will go head-to-head with David Villa for the golden shoe, with both players on five goals.

    Spain are at their 13th World Cup, the Netherlands their ninth, but remarkably they have never played each other in a major championship. Their biggest clash was their first when they met in Antwerp for the 1920 Olympic silver medal. On Sunday, for one of football's 'nearly men', the prize will finally be gold.

    MATCH FACTS

    Head-to-head

    - Spain and the Netherlands have never met at the World Cup or European Championship before.

    - In over 90 years of competition, they have met just nine times: they have won four encounters apiece, and drawn once.

    - This will be the first World Cup final that does not involve one of Brazil, Argentina, Italy or (West) Germany.

    - Their most recent meeting was a 1-0 friendly win for the Dutch in Rotterdam in 2002.

    Netherlands

    - The Netherlands are playing in their third World Cup final. They lost the 1974 and 1978 finals, to hosts West Germany and Argentina respectively.

    - The Dutch are bidding to become only the second team to qualify for the World Cup with a 100% record and win every match at the tournament itself (matching Brazil in 1970).

    - The Netherlands have won six World Cup matches at a single tournament for the first time. This beats their previous best of five in 1974, when they lost in the final.

    - Van Marwijk's side are on a 25-match unbeaten streak, a record for the Dutch. Their last defeat was in September 2008 (a 2-1 loss to Australia in Eindhoven).

    - They have scored 12 goals in South Africa - only Germany have scored more (13).

    - Wesley Sneijder has scored 7 goals in his last 8 internationals. He was credited with Holland's first goal against Brazil, despite Felipe Melo appearing to get the last touch.

    Spain

    - Spain have lost only two of their last 54 games (to USA and Switzerland). Defeat to the Swiss was a bad omen - no side has ever won the World Cup after losing their opening game.

    - Italy (1994), Argentina (1990) and West Germany (1982) all reached the final despite beginning their campaign with a loss. Argentina (1978) were the last team to win the tournament despite losing a game in the group stage.

    - This is the fourth time the reigning European champions have reached a World Cup final. The only side to have lifted Fifa's trophy, West Germany, beat the Dutch in the 1974 final.

    - The Germans failed to double up against Italy in 1982, while the Azzurri lost to Brazil in 1970 two years after winning Euro '68. France also held both titles concurrently, though they were crowned world champions first (in 1998).

    - The Spanish are through to their first ever World Cup final. They did reach the final four in 1950 under a different format, when the remaining teams played out a group stage. The Spanish finished bottom, behind winners Uruguay plus Brazil and Sweden.

    - David Villa is one goal away from equalling Raul's record of 44 goals for Spain. He has already equalled the Spanish record for most goals at a single World Cup (five), set by Emilio Butragueno in 1986.

    - Spain have completed 3,387 passes at the World Cup, more than any other side. The Netherlands have managed 2,434. Prior to the third-place play-off, Spain had the tournament's top four passers: Xavi (464 completed passes), Busquets (420), Alonso (399) and Pique (378).

    TEAM NEWS

    Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk is expected to recall Gregory van der Wiel at right back and defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong after both missed the semi-final win over Uruguay through suspension. Demy de Zeeuw did not break his jaw after receiving a kick in the face against Uruguay as was first feared, but his teeth were damaged and it is unclear if he will play any role.

    Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has to decide whether or not to recall Fernando Torres to the starting line-up, or stick with Barcelona forward Pedro. Cesc Fabregas is thought to have overcome a training-ground injury to his right leg, but played no part in the semi-final win over Germany.

  14. Posted

    Venue: Port Elizabeth

    Date: Saturday, 10 July 2010

    Kick-off: 19:30 BST

    port-elizabeth.jpg

    The match that no one wants to play throws together two World Cup heavyweights who have been here before. Three-time World Cup winners Germany met two-time champions Uruguay in a third-place play-off in 1970, with the Germans emerging as the victors. Motivation is always the key factor in this match, which comes hard off the back of crushing semi-final defeats. Both coaches will have to lift their players and take their minds off impending holidays to convince them that third place is a prize worth chasing.

    Joachim Loew's gifted young squad will be expected to mature nicely in time for the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014, but this match may prove to be the international swansong for Miroslav Klose. The 32-year-old striker is hoping a bad back will not prevent him chasing consecutive Golden Boot awards. More importantly, though, he is just two goals shy of overtaking Brazil's Ronaldo as the top goalscorer in World Cup history. You could hardly blame him, then, if he adopts a shoot-on-sight policy and wrestles the ball from regular penalty taker Bastian Schweinsteiger if Germany are awarded a spot kick.

    It goes without saying that Uruguay have defied expectation in reaching the last four in South Africa. They will hope their World Cup journey will not be remembered merely for Luis Suarez's self titled 'Real Hand of God' in the last-minute of their quarter-final against Ghana. Their very own Diego, striker Diego Forlan, has been one of the stars of the tournament and remains in contention for the Golden Boot, but only if he can shake off a thigh injury he picked up against the Netherlands.

    MATCH FACTS

    Head-to-head

    - This will be the 10th meeting between the sides. Uruguay won the first encounter 4-1 in 1928, but they have not won any of the subsequent eight matches. In total, Germany have won six, drawn two and lost one.

    - They have met three times in the World Cup and one of those clashes came in a third-place play-off match, which Germany won 1-0 in 1970. They also went head-to-head in the 1966 quarter-finals, with Germany winning 4-0, and they drew 1-1 in 1986.

    - Germany won their last encounter 5-0 in 1993.

    Germany

    - This is a record fifth appearance in a World Cup third-place play-off match for Germany. They have won three (1934, 1970 and 2006) and lost one (1958).

    - Goalkeepers Hans-Joerg Butt and Tim Wiese and defenders Serdar Tasci and Dennis Aogo are the only German players who have not yet played at this World Cup..

    - Miroslav Klose needs just one more goal to equal Ronaldo on 15 World Cup goals and become joint all-time top scorer in World Cup history.

    Uruguay

    - As well as losing to Germany in 1970, they also lost a third-place play-off to Austria in 1954.

    - Uruguay have not beaten a European team at a World Cup since 1970 (Soviet Union 1-0).

    - Their defeat to the Netherlands was their first of 2010. Their record this year stands at five wins, two draws and one defeat.

    TEAM NEWS

    Germany's Miroslav Klose has a bad back which may prevent him from trying to surpass Ronaldo's record of 15 World Cup goals. Thomas Mueller is back from suspension so he is likely to replace Piotr Trochowski.

    Philipp Lahm and Lukas Podolski are expected to be fit, despite suffering the same virus that has confined coach Joachim Loew to his bed.

    Uruguay have striker Luis Suarez back after his suspension for handball, but they may be missing Diego Forlan, who picked up a thigh injury against the Netherlands.

    Diego Lugano is expected to again miss out with a knee problem. Full-back Jorge Fucile returns from a ban.

  18. Posted

    Venue: Durban

    Date: Wednesday, 7 July 2010

    Kick-off: 1930 BST

    durban.jpg

    Germany manager Joachim Low described his side's 4-0 annihilation of Argentina in the quarter-finals as a "performance of champions" and in doing so made a statement of intent. His youthful German side are not just at these finals to gain valuable experience but to lift the trophy.

    Their defeat of Argentina was the third time in five games that Germany scored four goals in a match - defeating Australia 4-0 in their opening group game and England 4-1 in the second round - and Die Mannschaft go into this match as the team in form. Low's side have developed a quick-flowing, counter-attacking style that has proved too hot to handle for more than one opponent.

    The Germans have brought a breath of fresh air to tournament that has often been bogged down with defensive tactics and their attacking intent will pose a whole new set of problems for a Spanish side that is used to facing massed defences and looks vulnerable at the back.

    While Germany were romping to a famous victory over Diego Maradona's previously unbeaten Argentina, the below par Spaniards fought out a 1-0 victory over Paraguay following a similarly attritional 1-0 win against Portugal in the second round. It's fair to say the Vicente Del Bosque's side are yet to hit the form that enabled them to win Euro 2008, coincidentally with a 1-0 win over Germany in Vienna, and the sorry sight of an out-of-sorts Fernando Torres is emblematic of that.

    The subdued Liverpool striker has started the last four games for Spain since recovering from injury, but has been hauled off around the 60-minute mark in every match after failing to make an impact. It can be no coincidence that his exit against Paraguay coincided with an improvement for Spain and it would be no surprise if Del Bosque opted to start Fernando Llorente or Pedro instead.

    It may be late in the day to start making unforced changes but something needs to be done or Spain, who will be playing in their first ever World Cup semi final, face the prospect of being swept aside by a German side high on confidence and talent. But Low must make a significant change of his own with man-of-the-moment Thomas Muller, who jointly leads Germany in both goals and assists, suspended. The Bayern Munich starlet will be a big miss.

    MATCH FACTS

    Head-to-head

    - Victory at Euro 2008 was only Spain's second win in eight competitive games against the Germans. They also beat them 1-0 in the group stage at the 1984 European Championship.

    - Germany are unbeaten in three previous World Cup games against the Spanish. West Germany beat Spain 2-1 at Villa Park in a group game in 1966. They won by the same score at the Bernabeu in 1982, when the sides met in a second round group match. Defeat eliminated the hosts, even though they had one more match to play.

    -Jurgen Klinsmann's equaliser earned Germany a 1-1 draw in a group game at USA '94, staged at Chicago's Soldier Field.

    - Overall, the two nations have met 20 times: Germany have won eight and Spain six, with six draws.

    Germany

    - Miroslav Klose has scored 14 goals in 18 World Cup games, and is just one short of the all-time record held by Brazilian star Ronaldo.

    - This will be Germany's 11th World Cup semi-final - they have reached this stage in six of the last eight World Cups.

    - While Italy beat the Germans in 1970 and 2006, it is 52 years since a side other than the Azzurri defeated them at the semi-final stage (hosts Sweden eliminated them in 1958).

    Spain

    - The Spanish are through to their first ever World Cup semi-final. They did reach the final four in 1950 under a different format, when the remaining teams played out a group stage. The Spanish finished bottom, behind winners Uruguay plus Brazil and Sweden.

    - David Villa is one goal away from equalling Raul's record of 44 goals for Spain. He has already equalled the Spanish record for most goals at a single World Cup (five), set by Emilio Butragueno in 1986.

    TEAM NEWS

    Germany midfielder Sami Khedira is expected to play against Spain despite picking up a minor thigh injury in the win against Argentina.

    Thomas Mueller, who has been used on the right wing in South Africa, misses the match through suspension.

    Back-up striker Cacau remains troubled by an abdominal muscle injury.

    Spain coach Vicente del Bosque must decide whether to persist with misfiring striker Fernando Torres, who lasted less than an hour against Paraguay before being substituted.

    His replacement, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, hurt his shoulder after falling heavily and will be assessed by Spain's medical team.

    KEY PLAYERS

    Bastian Schweinsteiger - Argentina singled out German midfielder Mesut Ozil for special treatment in their quarter-final clash and so Schweinsteiger assumed the role of creator-in-chief with devastating effect. The Bayern Munich star provided the assists for Germany's first and third goals and was imperious in midfield throughout the match. With Muller missing against Spain Schweinsteiger will again have to deliver a top notch box-to-box performance.

    David Villa - It may be an obvious selection but Barcelona's new €40 million signing has carried Spain this far and all eyes will be on him as he attempts to do so once again. Villa has scored five of Spain's seven goals in South Africa and is well on the way to winning the Golden Boot. Already recognised as one of Europe's most fearsome strikers he is now making a substantial impact on the world stage.

  19. Posted

    Venue: Cape Town

    Date: Tuesday, 6 July 2010

    Kick-off: 1930 BST

    cape-town.jpg

    The winners of the first-ever World Cup take on the country many consider the best team never to have won football's biggest prize in an intriguing semi-final clash in Cape Town.

    So often dismissed as football's biggest chokers, the Netherlands' dream of a first world title is within their grasp. This may not be the most spectacular Dutch side in recent memory, but it is the most effective. Friday's quarter-final victory over Brazil saw Bert van Marwijk's side extend their record unbeaten run to 24 matches. They have won all five of their games in South Africa, beating their previous best run of four consecutive wins at the 1974 finals.

    That was the year the Dutch introduced Total Football onto the world stage, opening the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in West Germany. The Netherlands cruised to the final, only to stumble at the final hurdle at the hands of the hosts. Four years later it was a similar story as Argentina denied them again. The Dutch were the first European settlers in South Africa - will they be the first team to book their place in the 2010 World Cup final?

    The glory years of Uruguayan football were a fast-fading memory before Oscar Tabarez's side arrived in South Africa. Winners in 1930 and 1950, La Celeste's last semi-final was 40 years ago and they have only appeared in two of the last five World Cups. But under Tabarez, who also steered them to the last 16 in 1990 in his first stint as coach, Uruguay have been rejuvenated and cannot be written off.

    MATCH FACTS

    Head-to-head

    - The Dutch beat the Uruguayans 2-0 in their opening game at the 1974 World Cup. Johnny Rep scored both goals, while Uruguay had Juan Montero Castillo sent off. Diego Forlan's father, Pablo, played in the match.

    - The only other meeting since then was a friendly in Montevideo in 1980 that the home side won 2-0.

    - Uruguay also beat the Dutch on the way to winning Olympic gold in 1924 and 1928.

    Uruguay

    - Uruguay are in the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1970, when they lost 3-1 to Brazil.

    - They have conceded only two goals in five games in South Africa.

    - Uruguay are unbeaten in their last seven World Cup games, including their last two group matches in 2002 (which were both drawn).

    - They won the tournament in 1930 and 1950, though the second of their triumphs did not come in an orthodox "final". Instead they competed in a four-team group stage, overtaking Brazil with victory against them in their final game.

    Netherlands

    - The Netherlands have won five consecutive World Cup matches for the first time. This beats their previous best run of four in 1974, when they reached the final.

    - Van Marwijk's side are on a 24-match unbeaten streak, a record for the Dutch. Their last defeat was in September 2008 (a 2-1 loss to Australia in Eindhoven).

    - They have won each of their last three matches 2-1.

    - Wesley Sneijder has scored six goals in his last seven internationals.

    TEAM NEWS

    Uruguay will definitely be without suspended duo Luis Suarez and Jorge Fucile. Suarez was sent off for handling Dominic Adiyiah's goal-bound header in the quarter-final win over Ghana, while Fucile earned his second yellow card of the tournament in that match. Creative midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro has been ruled out of the tournament with a broken foot, while captain Diego Lugano is struggling with a knee injury.

    Netherlands striker Robin van Persie has been cleared to face Uruguay following a hospital scan on an elbow injury. Defender Joris Mathijsen will also return from a knee injury. Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong are suspended.

    KEY PLAYERS

    Edinson Cavani. After struggling to a dour 0-0 draw with France in the opening game, the introduction of Cavani to the starting line-up has drastically improved Uruguay's fortunes. Despite not finding the net in South Africa, Cavani has proved the perfect foil to strike partner Luis Suarez and has allowed talismanic captain Diego Forlan to drop deep and influence proceedings, playing behind the front two. Cavani's movement off the ball, passing and work-rate have been impressive, but with Suarez suspended, the Palermo forward must now step out of his shadow and prove his goalscoring credentials.

    Mark Van Bommel. One of the Oranje's unsung heroes in South Africa, Van Bommel and fellow midfield enforcer Nigel De Jong have frequently done the Dutch dirty work - breaking up play to allow the creative talents of Dirk Kuyt, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben to flourish. The Bayern Munich man is proficient at doing the simple things such as passing and intercepting effectively and played a crucial role in keeping Kaka quiet in the second-half against Brazil. This time around he will be charged with keeping Forlan at bay and if he manages to stifle Uruguay's dangerman, Netherlands have a great chance of progressing.

  20. Posted

    Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

    Date: Saturday, 3 July 2010

    Kick-off: 19:30 BST

    ellis-park-jhb.jpg

    TEAM NEWS

    Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has said that he will keep faith with Fernando Torres, despite the Liverpool striker's poor form at this World Cup. With that in mind, they are likely to stick with the same team for the third game running.

    Paraguay may opt to restore Victor Caceres to the team after he missed the match with Japan through suspension. If he does play, he is expected to take the place of Nestor Ortigoza. Aureliano Torres has recovered from a minor calf strain.

    One booking from suspension: Alonso (Spain). Enrique Vera, Cristián Riveros and Roque Santa Cruz.(Paraguay)

    MATCH FACTS

    Head-to-head

    - They have met three times in their history. Two of those matches came at the group stage at the World Cup - they drew 0-0 in 1998 and Spain won 3-1 four years later. Their other meeting was a 0-0 draw in a friendly, also in 2002.

    Paraguay

    - Paraguay are in the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time. They are the 12th nation of the 13 that appeared in the inaugural World Cup in 1930 that has reached the quarter-final stage, leaving Bolivia as the only country not to have done it.

    - Defender Denis Caniza is hoping to become the second Paraguayan to win 100 caps.

    - Roque Santa Cruz has not scored a World Cup goal in 799 minutes. His last and only goal came in 2002 in a 2-2 draw with South Africa.

    Spain

    - They must make history if they are to win the World Cup, as no country has lost its first group match and gone on to lift the trophy.

    - They have only lost twice in their last 52 internationals - and both defeats came on South African soil (2-0 v USA and 1-0 v Switzerland).

    - David Villa is just one goal short of Emilio Butragueno's Spanish record of five goals at one World Cup, set in 1986.

    - Spain have reached the last four just once in World Cup history, in 1950.

  21. Posted

    Venue: Cape Town

    Date: Saturday, 3 July 2010

    Kick-off: 15:00 BST

    cape-town.jpg

    TEAM NEWS

    Argentina coach Diego Maradona has no new injury concerns for Saturday's quarter-final against Germany.

    Walter Samuel has recovered from a thigh problem but is not expected to displace Nicolas Burdisso or Martin Demichelis at centre-back.

    Germany's counter-attacking prowess could persuade Maradona to replace winger Angel Di Maria with the more defensive-minded Jonas Gutierrez.

    Maxi Rodriguez may again start in midfield ahead of veteran playmaker Juan Veron.

    Germany are likely to field an unchanged starting line-up following the impressive win against England.

    Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil are both expected to play despite missing training on Thursday. Podolski sat out the session due to a minor muscle problem, while Mesut Ozil was feeling unwell.

    Striker Cacau is still suffering from a strained abdominal muscle, and is unlikely to be involved.

    One booking from suspension: Bolatti, Heinze, Mascherano (Argentina); Friedrich, Khedira, Lahm, Ozil, Muller, Scheweinsteiger (Germany).

    MATCH FACTS

    Head-to-head

    - Victory in the 1986 World Cup final is Argentina's only previous World Cup win in five matches against Germany or West Germany. Since the 1990 final they have met six times (including friendlies), with Argentina's only defeat coming in a penalty shoot-out at the last World Cup.

    Argentina

    - The Albiceleste have won all nine of their matches this calendar year and have won 12 of their last 13 games. Their only slip-up was a 2-1 defeat to Spain last November.

    - Argentina have yet to draw a match under Diego Maradona. They have won 18 and lost five of his 23 matches in charge.

    - Lionel Messi has had 23 shots at goal in South Africa but has yet to score. No other player has had as many shots without scoring at the tournament.

    Germany

    - Miroslav Klose's opener against England was the 12th World Cup goal of his career. Only Just Fontaine (13), Gerd Muller (14) and Ronaldo (15) have scored more at the tournament.

    - Germany have never gone more than 20 years between winning World Cups - their last victory was in 1990.

    - The Germans have won all four of their previous World Cup penalty shoot-outs, having beaten France (1982), Mexico (1986), England (1990) and Argentina (2006). The Argentines have won three of their four shoot-outs, defeating Yugoslavia and Italy (1990) and England (1998) before losing to the Germans four years ago.

    Fourth official: Jerome Damon (South Africa)

  22. Posted

    Venue: Soccer City, Johannesburg

    Date: Friday, 2 July 2010

    Kick-off: 19:30 BST

    soccer-city-jhb.jpg

    This quarter-final brings together a former football superpower hoping to recapture past glories and an emerging nation looking to write their place in World Cup history. Victory for Uruguay would take them through to their first semi-final since 1970, while Ghana can become the first African side to reach the last four.

    Uruguay's two World Cup wins, in 1930 and 1950, came before Ghana had even gained independence from Great Britain. That level of success was always likely to prove short-lived for a country of just 3.5m people, but this tournament has presented the Uruguayans with a golden chance to re-establish themselves on the global stage.

    Victory against the USA made Ghana only the third African side to reach the last eight of a World Cup. If the Black Stars are to succeed where Cameroon and Senegal failed, they will have to cope without a number of players who will miss this game due to injury or suspension.

    MATCH FACTS

    Head-to-head

    - This will be the first full international between the two teams. The Ghanaian side that won the Fifa Under-20 World Cup last year drew 2-2 with Uruguay in the group stage.

    Uruguay

    - Uruguay have reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1970. That year they beat the USSR 1-0 to reach the final four, before losing 3-1 to Brazil in the semi-finals.

    - The Uruguayans have conceded only one goal in four games in South Africa.

    - They are unbeaten in their last six World Cup games, including their last two group matches in 2002 (which were both drawn).

    - Luis Suarez's goal against South Korea made him the first Uruguayan to score in successive World Cup matches since Juan Eduardo Hohberg in 1954.

    Ghana

    - The Black Stars are the third African team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, following in the footsteps of Cameroon (1990) and Senegal (2002). Victory would make them the first to reach the semi-finals.

    - Asamoah Gyan has scored three times in South Africa, and also netted at the 2006 World Cup. He needs one more to match Roger Milla's African record of five career World Cup goals.

    - No African side has ever won a World Cup knock-out match without the game going to extra-time.

    TEAM NEWS

    Uruguay centre-back Diego Godin is doubtful with a thigh injury that forced him off against South Korea.

    Mauricio Victorino could deputise for Godin if he fails to recover in time.

    Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng aggravated a hamstring problem against the USA and is a doubt.

    Andre Ayew and Jonathan Mensah are both suspended but Isaac Vorsah, who has missed the last three matches through injury, has returned to training.

    One booking from suspension: Fucile, Lugano, Victorino (Uruguay); Addy, Annan, Tagoe (Ghana).

    Uruguay player to watch: Luis Suarez.

    270775.png

    He scored 49 goals in 48 games for Ajax, and he has now found his goalscoring touch on the biggest stage. His goals have now seen off Mexico and South Korea already, and a clinical touch tends to make all the difference at the World Cup.

    Ghana player to watch: Asamoah Gyan.

    208353.png

    Having scored both the country's group stage goals from the penalty spot, Gyan fired home in open play to secure victory against USA. While there is plenty of talent in midfield, options in attack have been a problem for Ghana, so it is essential Gyan is fit and firing if they are to progress, particularly given the doubts over Boateng and Ayew.

  23. Posted

    Venue: Port Elizabeth

    Date: Friday, 2 July 2010

    Kick-off: 1500 BST

    port-elizabeth.jpg

    The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium hosts the teams ranked first and fourth in the world, in a fascinating quarter-final encounter. Will it be jogo bonito versus total football, or winning ugly at the expense of the beautiful game?

    Brazil and the Netherlands have come to South Africa to win, not to entertain. Pragmatic, workmanlike and efficient may be dirty words in both countries, but coaches Dunga and Bert van Marwijk aren't listening. "We came here to win," said Van Marwijk. "If we can win with beautiful football then fine, but I said when I took this job that we would also have to learn how to win ugly games."

    You can see Van Marwijk's point. In years gone by, the Dutch would delight and dismay in equal measure, but they head into Friday's match on a all-time national record, 23-game unbeaten run and have won all eight of their games in 2010. The likes of Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart are yet to dazzle in South Africa, but the Dutch defence, cited as the team's weak spot before the tournament, has yet to concede a goal from open play (the two goals scored against them were penalties).

    Dunga captained Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994 - beating the Netherlands along the way - with a team that was criticised for its negative approach, and is immune to sniping about his current side, perhaps with good reason. Only Germany and Argentina have scored more goals and, according to Fifa, Brazil have created more goal opportunities than any other side.

    MATCH FACTS

    Head-to-head

    - This will be the 10th meeting between these sides. Brazil have won three to the Netherlands' two, with four draws.

    - They have met at the World Cup on three previous occasions: the Netherlands reached the 1974 final thanks to a 2-0 win in the second group stage; Brazil won 3-2 in the 1994 quarter-finals; and the 1998 semi-final ended in a 1-1 draw, with Brazil progressing on penalties.

    Netherlands

    - The Netherlands have won four consecutive World Cup matches, equalling their best-ever run. The last time they managed this was in 1974, when they reached the final.

    - Van Marwijk's side are on a 23-match unbeaten run, a record for the Dutch. Their last defeat was in September 2008 (a 2-1 loss to Australia in Eindhoven).

    - They have only conceded four goals in their last eight World Cup matches, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

    Brazil

    - Brazil are competing in the last eight for the 16th time in 19 World Cups.

    - The Brazilians have only lost one of their last 30 games. That came in their penultimate qualifier, a game played at altitude in Bolivia after qualification had already been achieved.

    - They have participated in all 18 previous World Cups, and have won the most world titles (five).

    Netherlands player to watch: Wesley Sneijder.

    215002.png

    The creative heart of the Dutch team, Sneijder has shown exceptional craft and vision in supplying Arjen Robben in the last two matches. He enjoyed a hugely successful campaign at club level and he appears desperate to prove a point following his release from Real Madrid last summer.

    Brazil player to watch: Robinho.

    194815.png

    Having been selected in a weakened Manchester City side against Scunthorpe at Glanford Park in January, few could have predicted Robinho's turnaround in fortunes. A loan spell at Santos provided him with regular football and restored his confidence, and he is again starting to look like the player who cost £32.5 million two years ago. His man-of-the-match performance against Chile was no flash in the pan, and he is likely to test the Dutch defence to its limits.