Westfield, NJ to Tevez-Messi-Messi-Tevez, Tshwana

DURBAN. Its 15.30 in the afternoon, and we’ve just arrived in Durban after 5 plus hours on the road and close to 600kms from our Johannesburg start. Durban is overcast and a bit humid, certainly feeling more summery then this morning’s fresh Joburg mid-winter chill.

Time and space are tight so briefly a few words on USA v England. The atmosphere in Rustenburg could not have been more dissimilar than that of the opening day at Soccer City. At times it was hard to distinguish the opposing fans all awash in red, white and blue. One of the stranger incidents in the pre-match build up was meeting a young American looking for beer from one of the local houses converted into a shebeen. Walking past this house, I couldn't help think it looked like some frat party so incongruous to the dusty North West back drop.

I was curious to find out the story of some of these fans. I asked this guy where he was from...

The answer was New Jersey. Curious. What town I said, his reply – Westfield… my home town. What are the chances of that? Of all the American fans to speak with (and I didn’t fancy engaging with too many of them) this kid ends up being from my home town… uncanny.

I was surprised to pick up a lack of self-belief in air amongst the English fans and that nervousness was born out by the performance. Still lacking a commanding creative midfielder, a partner for Rooney, and an adequate goal keeper, I found England generally woeful and lacking in enough creative endeavor or solid purpose from the back going forward to achieve much in this World Cup. Harsh as it may sound and easy to say after the blunder, England will win nothing with the likes of Rob Green between the poles. As for the USians, they are as you imagined they would be, solid, hard working, compact, uncreative but ultimately tenacious and capable of getting to the knock out round - but pretenders more than contenders.

Of greater interest no doubt from day two was the superb performance from Argentina and the fluidity in attack provided by the three musketeers – Messi, Tevez and Higuain. On route to Rustenburg, I was unable to watch the Argentina v Nigeria from start to finish. In fact, I had to contend with Tshwana radio for much of the match and my Tshwana ain’t too good. What I could make out from the second half was the continual interplay between Messi and Tevez. In fact there must have been a 4 to 5 minute sequence in the radio commentary when all I could make out was the announcer’s almost tennis match commentary was ‘Tevez-Messi-Messi-Tevez-Tevez-Messi.’ It was easy to fill in the blanks. Argentina has arrived in Africa and have sufficient fire power to go very far.

It was amusing to see Maradona with his silver beard and finely tailored suit. If there was ever a track suit manager it would be Maradona, there is something just not Diego to see him in a suit. Maradona, like Brazil’s Dunga, has the opportunity to make history in 2010 and emulate the Kaiser himself, the great Franz Beckenbauer and become only the second former World Cup winning captain to do the same as a coach.

Which brings me to the Germans. I start off every World Cup with the heart-felt hope that Germany fail to succeed. The reasons for this going back to the German defeat of the French in 1982 and 1986 in the World Cup semi-finals. For me the Germans have always been heart-breakers and one of the main reasons why the history of the World Cup has generally not been a happy story for me. Having said that, supporting the Australians as a South African sports fan, is something which also can unsettle. Great sporting rivals with South Africa, particularly in rugby and cricket, the Socceroos are certainly minnows when it comes to soccer and the World Cup.

The Aussie's courageous 2006 run under the leadership of Guus Hiddink, ended by a dubious penalty awarded to the eventual Italian winners, won them many fans world-wide. In Everton’s Tim Cahill, the Australians have some compelling performers. One hopes they can provide a potential banana skin for the Germans, but I for one will not be holding my breath and the unspectacular Germans are always good money for at least a semi-final run. One has to only remember Gary Linekar’s famous quip when it comes to the Germans – when its all said and done, they usually win.

As for Ghana v Serbia to shortly kick-off from Pretoria, where I spend my work days, the Black Stars remain my favorites along with Bafana Bafana not necessarily to win the tournament, but to fulfill the aspiration of African success. The Ghanaians supporters in red, black and green look well up for the Serbian test and provide a refreshing flavor from the usual sea of Blue Bulls supporters who fill the Loftus rafters. The imminent kick off is my sign off. Its only day 3, and with 3 matches in 3 days in 3 cities… I need to pace myself! Tomorrow its back to Joburg!