Spain tipped for World Cup glory by economists

LONDON/JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Spain are favourites to be crowned World Cup champions, narrowly ahead of Brazil, according to a global field of 74 soccer fan economists polled by Reuters.

Twenty-four respondents said Spain would shed their reputation for perennial disappointment this year and clinch the title for the first time, a tad more than the 23 who expected Brazil to add to their record tally of five trophies.

But economists are not known for their powers of foresight in matters football.

For Reuters' 2006 World Cup poll, most of them showed as much acumen in guessing Argentina would win that year as they did in predicting an impending global financial crisis. Eight out of 96 correctly predicted a victorious Italy.

In the latest survey, just one economist expected the Azzurri to retain their title in South Africa this year, and Argentina polled a distant third behind Spain and Brazil.

"I'd go for Spain because they seem to have not just the talent but also the resilience and strength which they missed in the past," said Jean-Francois Mercier, chief economist at Citi in South Africa.

"Brazil is a big threat but will they have the energy to go all the way?"

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Shaun Wright-Phillips missed Germany finals

In a scathing attack on the former England boss, Wright suggests his son and Manchester City winger Wright-Phillips, who remains in contention for this summer's finals, was dropped because of Wright's public criticism of the Swede.

'At this crucial time, I would not want to say anything that could jinx or jeopardise his potential selection - as I believe I might have done before the last World Cup,' Wright told The Sun.

Missing the cut: Sven Goran Erikkson left Wright-Phillips out of his 2006 World Cup squad

'Shaun missed the cut for Germany in 2006. And I have often worried that Sven Goran Eriksson only left him out of his England squad to spite me.'

'The slippery Swede knew I wasn't his biggest fan. I had criticised him publicly on many occasions. 'And I'll always wonder if that had a bearing on his decision.'

Wright-Phillips is in Capello's 30-man provisional squad but didn't feature in England's friendly win over Mexico on Monday with Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon playing instead.

And barring an impressive display against Japan on Sunday, Wright-Phillips looks likely to miss out again with Capello seemingly preferring the Arsenal and Spurs men.

'There is nothing I can do to help Shaun claim his place in the squad. It is down to him,' Wright added.

'All I can do is wait with the rest of the nation until the squad is announced - and I have to say it is torture. 'Ironically, Shaun remains unbelievably calm and focused, despite the enormous pressure he and the other lads are undoubtedly under.

'Before he joined up with the squad I told him to seize the opportunity, do his best to impress and, most of all, try to enjoy it. 'I also told him I wouldn't throw any spanners in the works by talking about Capello's squad until after it had been announced.'

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Travel Planner - See your team play in Italy

In the past we've had pretty good television coverage of Italian football in the UK. But there is nothing like seeing a match played in Italy, surrounded by the excitement of the stadium.

This website provides you with the travel information and tools you'll need if you want to travel to Italy to see a Serie A football match. Details of match tickets, local transport and stadium directions can be found on the team pages, along with tourist information and accommodation-booking links for each Italian destination. General information on flights, geography and Italy travel tips can be found in our Travel Planner.

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Security plans for 2010 World Cup unveiled

The South African Police Service unveiled plans to MPs today detailing how they aim to keep South Africa safe before and during the 2010 World Cup. The plans include the use of fighter jets, border patrols and security guards for each team.

The plans were put forward to the portfolio committee by Police Lieutenant General Andre Pruis. He also told parliament of the newly established Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee (ICC) - set up to work closely with foreign intelligence agencies and how they were prepared for any threat.

The plans are extensive. fighter jets will be used to clear airspace before, during and after every match throughout South Africa and there would be a number of no fly zones in South Africa for the duration of the World Cup.

Cruise ships are also going to be escorted into South Africa from 12 nautical miles off the coast and trains coming into South Africa from neighbouring countries would also be monitored.

Stadium security

Pruis also confirmed that the police's Special Task Force, the Defence Force Special Forces, the Bomb Squad and the National Intervention Unit would be on standby at each game, with the defence force's Seven Medical Battalion ready to deal "with any possible chemical, biological and radiological threat".

Inside the stadiums will also include public order police, local and foreign security spotters and private security firms but the stadium security doesn't end there. Ten kilometre cordons would also be set up around stadiums with emphasis on on preventing domestic extremism including strike action and service delivery protests.

Team security

Each country has also been assigned a dedicated security liaison officer and the safety of each team is of huge importance. The ICC has been in communication with intelligence agencies and police in each country and a police member will 'co-ordinate all security activities of each team'.

Profiles have been created for each team and the team hotel. Routes to and from the stadiums with 'safe haven's have been drawn up and every potential threat has been anticipated.

Bottom line; South Africa should be safe and the eyes of thousands will be on you wherever you go in South Africa and if you are ever unsure - just look up and wave as South Africa will also be using quite a few satellites to keep an eye on things too.

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Sota Hirayama Has High Hopes For Japan Place

The FC Tokyo striker offers Japan an option of height in attack and is hoping that his skills on the floor as well as his 190cm frame could tempt coach Takeshi Okada to name him on May 11.

Hirayama made his international debut in January this year, scoring a hat-trick in a 3-2 win in Yemen.

“I really want to go to the World Cup, but I’m not taking anything for granted,” Hirayama told The Japan Times.

“If I don’t get picked I’m sure I’ll be disappointed and it will hurt, but I can still play football and there is always another World Cup in four years. I also have ambitions that I want to fulfill with my club, and if I don’t make it, I will just have to work harder.

“But my height is an advantage. Other teams might be expecting the Japanese players all to be short, so it’s in my favor that I’m tall.”

Hirayama is not an automatic pick and has missed the squads for Japan’s last two games. He intends to keep scoring for FC Tokyo and see what happens.

“Goals are the best medicine for a striker,” he said. “No matter what shape you’re in, if you score it gives you confidence. If you have confidence, you play in a positive frame of mind. That’s a very important thing.”

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Blunder leaves Crouch with two left feet‎

The Sun reports that the Tottenham striker was caught out after his girlfriend Abbey Clancy packed his bag for last month's friendly against Egypt with two left shoes.

The 29-year-old realised his girlfriend's mistake just before he boarded the team bus headed for Wembley and was forced to ask aides to rummage through lost property bins in the hope of finding a pair of matching size 12s.

Fortunately for the 6'7" goal ace, they came up trumps and he was able to comply with England coach Fabio Capello's strict smart dress code for the trip.

A source told The Sun: "Peter was pleased when Abbey offered to give him a hand. She's very thoughtful, so she said she would take care of packing his outfit to travel to the stadium in.

"He didn't think much more of it until he tried to slip his shoes on - and noticed a problem. Abbey had packed him two left shoes. He rang down to reception to see if they had anything suitable for him to wear from their lost property department.

"Finding size 12s is a tall order, but surprisingly they did manage to find him a pair. So Peter managed to look as smart as his team-mates for the big match."

Crouch was on target twice against the Egyptians as England ran out 3-1 winners as part of their preparations for the summer's World Cup in South Africa. The World Cup 2010 tickets of all matches are now available for sale.

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South African dies queuing for tickets

Queues began on Wednesday afternoon and frustration built as people inched forwards for a chance to get tickets, including some for the final on July 11.

Computer crashes tested the patience of crowds at some centres and tempers flared.

"Police were called in," said Eugene Opperman, South African Police Services spokesman in Gauteng of an incident at Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria where local radio reported that pepper spray was used to restore order.

"There was pushing and shoving among the people and it was decided police should go there for crowd control," added Opperman.

In Sandton, north of Johannesburg, angry South Africans argued with police who used a vehicle to disperse the crowd.

A 64-year-old man suffered an apparent seizure as he waited in a queue in Cape Town, police said.

FIFA said in a statement that 1,610 tickets were sold at ticketing centres within an hour of counters opening while another 2,166 were bought at banks.

World football's governing body acknowledged the huge demand had resulted in delays in issuing tickets.

Some banks were not able to process applications when systems crashed, leading to anger and frustration among fans.

"That's it, I've had enough of this," said Glen Watson, a 43-year-old South African who had queued outside a bank in Sandton for four hours.

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Ticket sales in the country had been below expectations until recently and FIFA was criticised for selling them in a complex system over the internet which was alien to poor fans accustomed to getting tickets for cash on match days.

Officials acknowledged mistakes had been made and launched a new system of sales through ticketing offices and supermarkets on Thursday, hoping to sell out the tournament after disappointing overseas sales and returned tickets.

duties for Costa Rica and its youth.

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