Who is going to be the big Surprise in SouthAfrica 2010!!

Well... the first German goal was also stupid. Although not as hilarious

I agree a draw is fair, but I'm just saying tha IC really threw the game away and should have won once they were 2:1 up in the 85 minute.

 

Is that why Pienaar is routinely voted the best midfielder at Everton by fans and is that why Phil Neville deems him to be the best player at Everton by miles? He may not score goals, but that isn't his job.

Hamsik is a future talent, but Pienaar is at least as good if not better. He has been tracked down by Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Milan. And if Pienaar is no4 then why is he not for sale at any price??? You really don't have any idea what you are talking about.

http://sportales.com/soccer/the-best-three-left-midfielders-of-the-2008-09-premier-league-season/

 

No, you do not know what are you talking about, as any Everton fan will tell you.

Pienaar is a good player but he is not on the same level as Arteta. Phil Neville said he was their best player for the month of May 2009, not their constant best player. Also that quote was more to inspire Pienaar to do more for the team. http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/engla...neville-steve-pienaar-is-evertons-best-player

Pienaar is not being tracked by ManYoo, Chelsea or Arsenal, as he would not start for any of them.

 

And Henry did not touch the ball with his hand tonight...

Look it up... Pienaar was sought after by Arsenal, Valencia, Manchester City, Manchester United, Fiorentina, Athletico Madrid,

Those are facts!!!

Another fact: Pienaar is a key player in Everton and is 'not for sale'. Your previous comments obviously show you have no idea. His price tag is 10 million pounds, while Hamsik's tag is 9 million.

Arteta is held just as highly as Pienaar and Everton relies on them both. Pienaar is to the left what Arteta is to the right. With both injured Everton has really struggled.

I know this may not mean much but opinions:
http://www.greatestevertonplayer.com/top_players.php
http://blog.sport.co.uk/Football/436/Top_Ten_Underrated_Premier_League_Midfielders.aspx

 

This world cup has 2002 Korea/Japan written all over it, but it doesn't matter who surprises what in the WC. It will still be Brazil vs. European Team at the end, with the Brazilians taking the trophy home and if you want it back youll have to take it from them at the Maracana in 2014.

 

Chile's B squad, with some C players, took care of Slovakia rather handedly. not impressed at all.

 

Serbia will a big surprise in South Africa.
I don't think Greece will surprise us.

Brazil and England will do fine.
Italy will flop.
France will flop.

South Korea will do fine.
Australia and Japan will flop.

South Africa will do alright.
Nigeria will do fine.
Ghana will do fine.

New Zealand will be destroyed so badly.

That's my prediction.

 

Yes, it's a fact. However, South Korea also drew 1-1 against France in that same WC and barely missed out on advancing to the last 16 on goal difference.

Since you brought up the past WC history as a relative tool to determine their 2010 WC performance, let's have a look at the other AFC sides just for fun,

1. Japan - They still haven't recorded a win in their WC history outside of Korea/Japan 2002 WC.

2. DPR Korea - 1 win against Italy at 1966 WC, which was their only WC appearance to this date.

3. Iran - 1 win in their entire WC history. A 2-1 win against USA at 1998 WC.

4. Saudi Arabia - 2 wins in their entire WC history. Both of them came from their amazing run at the 1994 WC where they made it to the last 16.

5. Australia - 1 win in their entire WC history. A 3-1 victory against Japan at 2006 WC.

6. Iraq/Kuwait/UAE/China - 0 win.

------------------

As you can see, yes I fully acknowledge that AFC sides have had terrible records at the World Cups. But, if you look it more closely. Most of the wins obtained from the AFC sides are mostly concentrated in the recent World Cups. This explains that the AFC sides are relatively new footballing nations compared to the traditional powerhouses in UEFA/CONMEBOL and it also tells that their level is improving in a consistent manner.

So, your approach of determining a team's performance based on their past WC has no bearing at all, especially when you're talking about an AFC side.

 

Pienaar is among the top 10 midfielders in Britain and among the top 3 left midfielders. And I fail to understand how Hamsik's 9 million tag is in anyway different than Pienaar's 10 million.... both are not for sale. Pienaar has such a low price tag, cuz that's what's in his contract.

Pienaar is a whole class better than Hamsik in every department. Hamsik may get there, but he has nowhere near the technique.

This discussion is becoming ridiculous... anyone that states that Pienaar is a reserve Everton player, was not sought out by i.e. Arsenal (google it) and isn't a top class midfielder is obviously delusional. Hamsik is good, but not that good. And Pienaar is one of the best put there and at the moment South Africa's sole world class player. Hamsik still has a bit to go before he is world class.

 

Been watching soccer for years....I was always defending Pienaar even before he went to Everton...trying to express what a class player he is....

Pienaar is a very balanced player...He is very committed and very fit. He can defend and track back in midfield like Essien would...he can attack wings like Rooney would when he is on the wing....He can create intricate one two passes like Fabregas...

He is a very influencial well balanced player with a unique style....He is only getting better and better....He reminds me a bit of Ashavin at times also...

I don't know Hamsik so i wouldn't compare them...

Edit: i wouldn't say he is the only SA world class player...McCarthy is also world class....just a bit unfit....
(Personally i feel someone like Surprise Moriri should have been world class if you see at what he can do at times) Players like Tsepo Masilela has the ability to become world class...he played well in confed....

 

Define world class....

When does a player lose their world class status? When Henry plays badly, is he not a world class player anymore? Or what about Ronaldinho?

You seem to have forgotten that McCarthy was the best striker for Porto when they won the champions league and one of the top scorers in the premiership soon after above some big world class names...

 

by your defition, it is understandable....

to me world class means on the same standard as the top players...not necc the best or even top 3. There are many players on that level....Would Rooney make your list of world class strikers when there are players like Drogba, Ibrahimovich and Van Persie to name just a few? And yet, to me all of the above is world class....

I wonder what the real definition of a world class player is.....worth a thread on its own....

 

Lol, WTF? So he can defend like Essien, pass like Fabregas and penetrate defences like Rooney now? That must be why so many top teams are dreaming about signing him

Pienaar is a decent-good player, nothing more.

 

Sigh....be a bit more imaginative please....of course he doesn't do all of those things at the same level as all of those players...

Im merely trying to discribe him as a player.... Anyone should have known that.....

 

I asked a friend who doesn't care less about soccer(non biased), when a player is labelled "world class" in the game of Rugby.....

He said that there isn't a real definition per say, but that they should have the ability to compete well at both club level, as well as internationally

I agree with his opinion and that is more as to how i understood world class players...