All Whites' turn to shine on the world stage

Hi Guys, so far so good. Four more games to go. Well done to our rugby nemesis (All whites) in getting their first points after three attempts in the confederation cup. We will undoubtedly see more of them in the not too distant future. My best wishes to them in their playoff games. Brazil has been a revelation, ten goals scored up to now. They are looking like champions. Kaka was absolutely outstanding. In the match against Italy he received a standing ovation when he was subsitituted. i just wish you guys were here to see it. The main function of the Confederations Cup is to look at the organization and address problematic areas. I believe this objective has been achieved. Some of you must have watched Sepp Blatter's press conference. One of the issues raised by a journalist from an area where a lot of negativity was being raised, was the question regarding the traffic. It was a strange question seeing that everyone travelling to the match from the airport or Sandton, had to use the same highway, and it was clear that the congestion was largely due to the two extra lanes being added onto the N1, the R21 and the R24. So as you see, again, maybe one should see more in the question than merely that which was asked. Only a blind person could not see the extent of the additions to the communications networks in all sectors that is being done. Be that as it may, I trust my not so learned friend from down under is seeing things clearer now. Regards

Photon, It is up to you if you want to deny what is happening in South Africa we can't change that Photon if you actually read what I wrote before reacting you will see that I said South Africa would do a good job of hosting the tournament and have hosted tournaments well before. Also you will see that I mentioned that Australia may have been casting doubts on South Africa for politic reasons. Do remember we get the news outside of africa too and to be honest the crime stats poverty rankings don't look to flash from where I'm sitting

Photon & M. Adeel Carelse MMM Thanks for the posts ... I was always going but good to have you blokes on board ... when we find out what group would love some advise on where to go and what to look for.. always better coming from an informed local.... looking forward to hearing from you.

Nice to hear from you guys in South Africa, you seem to have missed Tom’s last point where he says that despite the bad press, we still think the games will be a big success. And to be fair, that’s all we can go on, most of us have never been to South Africa or lived there – we just read and hear the press releases. Press releases that said SA was running behind schedule and the World Cup possibly to be given to Australia. Of course papers make up stories or exaggerate to sell things, but we are none the wiser over here about the truth of it. We also read stories that South Africa has the highest crime rate in the world and we should take care if we are travelling there. What can we know? Thanks for joining in and giving your side of the story and we look forward to watching the Socceroos in the FIFA World Cup in your country.

HI Tom, let us look at the issue objectively. Australia has a large number of South African Expats, that under all circumstnaces has to justify why they left to settle over there. I have no problem with that except, that should they now regard themselves as Aussie, and should be proud of that. The fact is that they refrained from staying and making South Africa the pride of Africa it is today. i do not doubt that we have problems, but if you chicken out and not have the fortitude to make a situation better, I do not think you should use every opportunity to run the country down. It is our experience that the justification in leaving is being used as a catalyst in rubbishing the RSA. This is why so many negativity eminates from your region. All we are saying, is that the time has come to cease being negative, and be more positive of the situation over here, while at the same time, adhere to a sence of civility to those who working for a better life for all of us. We see Australia as a good country with good people, yet that sense of sivility is not being reciprocated, thus as you can now see, its much more than just the FIFA 2010 World Cup. Should you come to SA for any reason, you are most welcome.

that's telling em Photon.

What's more it's okay for Hemjay and David V about how South Africa is so un safe for tourist, yet if I was to say that Australia is not safe for tourists cause occassionally some one gets attacked or killed in the outback, I'd be laughed offf as alarmist. In Europe fans get stabbed every year during the European cup ties, every year, I know I've followed the Chmpions League since I was 12 and I'm over 25 now. There's been Sevens, IPL, Cricket World Cup, Rugby World Cup and numerous other tournaments that have been staged with exactly zero tourists killed while here. Yet befopre every major event people like Hemjay and David V will be here going on about how unsafe it is to tour Africa. Well Hemjay and David, a person who sticks to the same boring arguement regardless of the evience at hand is either stupid which you are not, or has some other motivation for their irrational train of thought, in this circumstance most likely prejudice based on the conceptions engrained upon you that Africans are to dumb and incompetent to do anything properly

You guys are so full of it. Hemjay talks of South Africa as if he is informed, yet most of his supposed insight, is baased on the moaning and complaints of a load of yes Hemjay, racist disgruntled expats. I live in South Africa and I have for the past quarter of a century, things are as a matter of fact a lot better than they were before. There are roads and infrastructure where there was none before, a better life for many people, who never thought their children would get to live past ten, never mind have a job as a manager at a prominent organisation, and the country as a whole is moving forward, there are challenges and problems but crime in this country is not what many would have you believe. I've heard people talk of my country as if it's some kind of war zone, which just isn't true. There's been numerous sporting events hosted here, some moved from other places due top safety concerns in those countries, yet some because of their blinkered views can't see past blatant propaganda. I don't think my country is in the mess that most of you, who I might add, have never even been here would suggest, and I'm gonna enjoy rubbing your noses in it again when we make a success of an event you guys were convinced we'd botch.

Jimbo the question was about Smeltz specifically, and in no way was it a put down of Smeltz, I simply was saying that he wouldn't necessarily be a shoe in for a 23 man squad (much less a starter) - but if you read my post till the end, you will see that was quite complimentary about Smeltz.

Don't agree with you Pip, Shane Smelz and Chris wood would be two of the first players I'd pick in my Socceroos squad - if they were Aussies. Chris Wood is going to be a bigger star than the Dukes IMHO.

So at the moment its a 50/50 split decision. I have been told Smeltz has a clause in his contract that he will be released if he is offered a European contract. Not sure if the Gold Coast fans know about that. Potentially he may still not even take the field for them in the A-League especially if he keeps playing like he did last night.

Hemjay Smeltz has had two pretty good seasons now in the A-League (last season in particular), and there's no doubting that he's a fair dinkum striker, but it's very hard to jump from there to plonking him in a Socceroos starting XI (or even a squad of 23). For starters, both Arch and Danny have been very consistent in the A-League (the two best scorers by a long way), but neither would be threatening a squad of 23 at the moment, (Arch was knocking on the door for a while, but I think his day has now well and truly passed). I would rate Macallister as pretty close to Smeltz's standard, but he is not in a squad of 23 either. Ruka is almost there (and he has a fair bit in common with Smeltz, very similar types of players) - of course, Ruka has now gone to a very good league where he will have the chance to improve in leaps and bounds. So all in all, it's a bit difficult to make a case for elevating Smeltz to the standard where he would make a squad of 23. But I will say this - he's a very different player to both Josh and Scotty, and even to Djite, so while you wouldn't necessarily equate Smeltz with the standard of these three overall, you could say that in some areas, he actually surpasses them (and that's showing currently up forward for the Socceroos - that we are lacking a striker with full arsenal - and it shows whenever you play with only one up front).

Hemjay, On current stock of Aussie strikers, we should pay Smelz to play for the Socceroos. What's wrong with someone else being the Socceroos striker. Aussie Scott MacDonald was woeful again last night, Well done Kiwis against Italy and good preparation for the Confed Cup.

It makes one wonder what this team could achieve if they can play more games together on a regular basis. Gosh I'm glad Smeltz is a Kiwi, Out of Curiosity on his ability does anyone think he could make the Socceroos, I'll admit it i'm a soccer bandwagon jumper so my knowledge of the game is somewhat limited and I only watch it when theres something interesting to watch like this mornings game the little boys taking on the World Champs and in a matter of days the will be taking on the number one ranked team in the world.

The All-Whites will not make it easy for the 5th best Asian team in the WC qualifiers.

Great result for NZ. I thought Killen said he wanted to stay in Europe.

Looking forward to watching the Kiwis in the Confeds Cup and especially seeing how Smeltz performs.

Great result .. and by the sounds the chances were there that they could have had a 3-0 lead .... but good also for the A league to see last years top scorer knock 1 in ... and if the rumours are correct the Phoenix's replacement for Smeltz (Killen) getting the other 2 ...

4-3 not a bad result With Iran possibly facing NZ in those qualifiers...I'm getting more Kiwi by the minute...might have to get my passport out!

Guys Im surprised there has been so little mention of this on the Roar...I agree it sounds like a fantastic performance by the All Whites. Does it count towards world rankings?