Animated Spoof - Thierry Henry At Heaven's Gate

France's record goal scorer, Thierry Henry recently added his high profile name onto the MLS soccer roster. This once again puts the MLS on the road towards global recognition. Henry joined the New York Red Bulls late last month on a designated player contract and will link up with fan favourite Juan Pablo Angel in a mouthwatering frontline.

Almost legendary for his footballing exploits, he sullied his reputation by two deliberate handball in a crucial World Cup playoff match against Republic of Ireland. To go to New York which has a substantial amount of Irish immigrants and descendants would literally be like walking into the lion's den. How the Irish community will take to this obviously talented footballer is anybody's guess.

Here's an animated spoof of Thierry Henry at Heaven's Gate confessing his "sin". It's great stuff.

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Group A Decided! La Celeste and El Tri Advance

Group A was decided today. I try to unravel the action in two halves, highlighting the differences in attitude and excitement in both Uruguay-Mexico and France-South Africa.

La Celeste and El Tri need a draw for both to progress. France need a big win and hope that Uruguay win by two goals. Finally South Africa need three points, three goals and hope Mexico loses by two goals.

Action from the first half:

Luis Suarez made amends for a 5th minute miss by heading home a 43rd minute cross by Cavani. Mexico and Uruguay fought out an unexpectedly open first half with both teams having chances to score in this match. El Tri seemed to have the upper hand but always looked susceptible to the counter attack. Uruguay took their chance well and Luis Suarez further enhanced his reputation as a lethal striker. Uruguay on course for the top of Group A, possibly avoiding Argentina in the process.

Raymond Domenech said that a miracle is needed to advance. Les Bleus got off to the worst possible start, going a goal down and then having Yoann Gourcuff sent off within the first 25 minutes. South Africa clearly refused to accept that they are on the verge of going out in the group stage. Bafana Bafana need to win, score three goals and hope that Uruguay beats Mexico. Mphela got South Africa's second goal which meant that Group A is perfectly poised for more drama. Tshabalala was outstanding for South Africa as they played with a lot more attacking intent.

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Mexico Substitutes Shoot Down Awful French World Cup Hopes

I guess after yesterday's match, there is no longer any denial that the French team is poor. Talks about Yoann Gourcuff being a recluse with only one true friend in Toulalan implies that there are player divide within the French team. For the talent that they have in Ribery, Gourcuff, Evra, Gallas, Anelka, Malouda, it is very hard to find reasons why they are underperforming in South Africa. There can only be one reason - a lack of team spirit and determination. Oh, and a bungling Domenech.

Lest we forget, France stumbled into South Africa. They were unconvincing against Republic of Ireland but they were still expected to regroup and come out stronger. After all, Argentina regrouped and now their football is on a different level in this World Cup but France have indeed regressed.

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Early Sidney Govou's Miss Set Tone For Dull Draw

Raymond Domenech ruminated at the end of a drab draw that,

"We lacked that last bit, the last pass.The other two have the advantage. We had to guard against an unlucky counter. It is almost a beautiful 0-0 but the result is what it is."

In the end, France lacked that cutting edge against a resolute Uruguay. Nicolas Ledeiro collected the first red card in this summer's World Cup finals. France and Uruguay battled to a draw in a match where Nicolas Anelka, Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez were supposed to supply the goals.

Only Forlan looked like he was capable of providing that decisive goal but for all his positive running, he had only one clear chance - a chance that he skewed left of the French goal.

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2010 World Cup Group A Head To Head

South Africa and Mexico kick off the 2010 World Cup over in Africa this Friday 11th June. The first match from Group A will be much anticipated, simply to signify a full month of football mania. France and Uruguay round up the first day's match schedules.

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Castrol Football Rates The 2010 World Cup Contenders

Just like the Barclays Premier League and others like La Liga, Calcio de Lega and Bundesliga, the World Cup tournaments are pretty dominated by four nations. These are the nations with the most World Cup wins in the history of the tournament. Brazil, Italy, Germany and Argentina are the most successful teams in the World Cup. Will these four be the likely victors of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa? Most likely not, as I personally favour a Spain v. England final to be held at the newly constructed Johannesburg Soccer City stadium.

Castrol Football has done an extensive round of predictions and what-if scenarios, and the result are as seen below, quantifying the chances of the aspiring footballing nations.

Brazil

SpainEngland

This is the probable opponents for England when they make it out of the World Cup group stages. Qualifying first in their group should give England a simple path to the semifinals where they will have to beat Brazil and then Spain to end 43 years of hurt. Don Fabio has got the England team playing with determination and organisation. For the first time in years, England may have what it takes to win this tournament.

Holland

ArgentinaGermany

Italy

France

Portugal

Ivory Coast

The rest of the competing nations at a glance:

It looks to be a different World Cup altogether, as apart from Brazil, traditional powerhouses are not considered favourites this time around. In fact, England have possibly the best chance of all to capture their second Jules Rimet trophy.

If you are a football fan who travels a lot on business, it may be best to start thinking of alternative ways of watching the World Cup. Live streaming football on PC could be a great option.