World Cup: South Africa vs Mexico 11 Jun 2010

Can't say I'm a fan of Mexico or South Africa goalkeepers. I've seen Perez the first time and Khune the third time. Remember Khune from South Africa's friendly matches they played with Poland and Portugal. Had an impression that he is not a bad goalkeeper.

Haven't seen the whole match so can't say too much about it. Seen some risky actions of Perez (the one near the end of the match when he run out of the goal was unnecesary I think). Khune also was not faultless.

According to ESPN stats both goalkeepers made only 2 saves during the whole match. Though it was more.



Perez fails to save Tshabalala goal.









Tshabalala celebrates.





Seems the photographers enjoyed this situation. Couldn't find more photos from the match with Perez.



Itumeleng Khune



Khune celebrates after Tshabalala's goal

















Khune and Mokoena



Khune fails to save Marquez's shot









That was a nice save.



Khune applauses after the end of the match. The draw is not a bad result for South Africa.

Portuguese players in a wildlife park outside Johannesburg

At June 9 Selecção players visited a wildlifepark outside Johanessburg.



Raul Meireles and a lion cub



Beto and Raul Meireles



Paulo Ferreira plays with a lion cub. The most adorable photo of all!



Pedro Mendes, Ricardo Rocha, Paulo Ferreira, Rolando, Daniel Fernandes, Danny, Beto and the lion cub. Apparently the lion got fond of Paulo and didn't want to let him go ;)



Nani, Deco and a giraffe. Sadly, Nani is not going to play at the tournament due to an injury.

Iker Casillas at training, 6 and 7 June 2010

International friendly Spain - Poland was yesterday. Well, I expected that the result will be bad for Poland, but not that bad. The result 6:0 speaks for itself. Better not to comment Poland's performance. As for Spain - they played beautifully. It's like magic. Do they have a chance to play in the final of the World Cup? I think they do.

Planned to post a picspam of that match but couldn't find too much good photos with the goalkeepers. Polish goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak did all what he could but he was without a chance in a situation when the defenders didn't gave him any support.

So, instead of Spain - Poland picspam, some photos with Iker Casillas at tranings.













Wonder what is happening here. Why is he chasing Torres? ;)

Quote of the day

Found this quote in an article about the most effective way of scoring penalties:

"When it comes to the penalty shoot-out the most disturbing element is the goalkeeper."

It is thought that the best chances to score have the players who focus on shoting the goal, not on a goalkeeper and what he is doing.

Is that true? Probably partially. Remeber than in Portugal - England penalty shoot-out at World Cup 2006 the only English player who scored was Hargreaves, who actually didn't look at Ricardo.

Goalkeepers can disturb players and win that way the battle of nerves which is penalty shoot-out. Who doesn't remember the famous Dudek dance in the Champions League final Liverpool - Milan in 2005?

Beto picspam

Beto is one of the Portuguese goalkeepers who are a part of the Selecção squad for the World Cup 2010. Don't think he is going to play a single minute as Eduardo is the no. 1 but nevertheless he is a solid deputy goalkeeper.









I think that white is a bit unpractical color for a goalkeeper...







Peanlty defense.




Beto used to play in Sporting, but only for a year was named in the first squad, as the third choice.











Beto and Daniel at Selecção traning.

Daniel Fernandes in Iraklis - Olympiakos 1-0 7 Mar 2010

Video highlights of Iraklis - Olympiakos match. Daniel Fernandes in the goal.



0:26 Olympiakos's goalkeeper Nikopolidis makes a save.

0:31 Olympiakos player's foul in the penalty area.

0:44 Bogdan Mara of Iraklis scores a goal. Nikopolidis has no chance to save it (didn't even guess the direction).

1:02 Olympiakos's player makes an attempt to score. Daniel Fernandes on the position but the ball hits only the side of the net.

1:19 Daniel makes a save and pushes the ball away on the corner.

1:40 The ball in the Iraklis's net but it's an offside.

1:54 Another save made by Daniel.

2:03 Daniel goes out of the goal just in time to make a stunning save.

2:17 Another intervention of Daniel.

2:42 Shot saved by Daniel.

2:56 Daniel bounces the ball away and crashes with Olympiakos's player.

At least six saves in one match. What a performance of Daniel!

Hino Portugal - Portugal's anthem before Portugal - Cape Verde match

Reblogged from Monica 08's http://portugalsoccerteam.tumblr.com/.



Selecção starting lineup before kickoff of Portugal 0-0 Cape Verde 24 May 2010.

Cristiano Ronaldo (the captain), goalkeeper Eduardo, Bruno Alves, Pedro Mendes, Fabio Coentrao, Liedson, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira, Deco, Miguel Veloso, Nani.

The idea is to post this video and share the favorite Portuguese player(s).

In this squad mine is Eduardo.

Julio Cesar picspam

I followed Julio Cesar quite closely during this season. I'm also going to follow him on the World Cup. It's only 8 days till its beginning.