Final chapter is yet to be written: US coach Bradley

There is more to come from the United States football team despite their heartbreaking 2-1 loss after extra-time to Ghana in their World Cup Last 16 clash, coach Bob Bradley said.

The 52-year-old Princeton University graduate - who guided the USA to the
final of the Confederations Cup in South Africa last year - insisted that there
was a bright future for the team after the initial disappointment had passed
over their exit.

"Ultimately that excitement turned into disappointment," Bradley said. "But
hopefully the final chapter is not yet written."

Whether he will be the man to write that chapter is open to question as he was opaque over his future.

"At this moment there have been no conversations (between himself and the
federation).

"Both sides probably need time and you go from there. Over time there will be discussions. There's a process. At this point it's too soon after the final
whistle."

Bradley, who has been in charge since 2006, said he would certainly be open
to offers from abroad should they arise.

"I've always enjoyed new challenges. I believe that is what life is all about," he said.

"I have enjoyed the opportunities I've had along the way, As I move forward
there will always be an open mind in that regard.

"I've always enjoyed new challenges but I've always said from day one I consider coaching the national team a great honour."

Bradley has already started thinking about the US squad he select in an August friendly against Brazil in suburban New York, but has gone no further in the analysis of the next four-years than he would have normally.

"In any situation you start projecting what the team can be like in four years," he said. "There are conversations with players. There are players who can help the team but you're not sure what that will mean in four years' time.

"It's an ongoing process. You are constantly thinking about how things will
move along. We will go forward and continue to look at all of that."

The US squad can take some solace in the boost in interest in the sport by
fans in America.

"Without a doubt the game has grown in our country," Bradley said. "We
understand every four years that growth will be put to the test by the results
of that World Cup.

"All we can do is look hard at ourselves and try to move the game forward."

South Africa's World Cup will be best ever: Blatter

JOHANNESBURG: The World Cup which begins on Friday in South Africa is going to be the best ever, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Monday as he was honored with the country's highest national order.

"After the 12th of June everyone will have an interest in Africa, because this is going to be the best World Cup ever," said Blatter.

President Jacob Zuma bestowed the world football boss with the Order of the Companion of OR Tambo, an accolade only awarded to foreign nationals or heads of states in appreciation of friendship and cooperation shown to the country.

Since the awarding of the World Cup in 2004, Blatter has had to deflect doubts about South Africa's ability to successfully host the tournament.

"I am overwhelmed with emotion, I can't say how much I am touched by this honor. I take it for FIFA and the football family and my own family," said Blatter after receiving the award.

He said bringing the World Cup to Africa has always been his dream since he started working in the continent.

"It started with a belief and now that belief is a reality," said Blatter.

Blatter added that the legacy of the World Cup must go beyond the shiny new stadiums and upgraded infrastructure.

"Football gives you emotions and hope, hope will give you trust and

confidence," said Blatter.

World Cup penalty takers could learn from golf

CAPE TOWN: The coach of one of the world's leading golfers says World Cup footballers could learn from his sport when it comes to taking penalties.

Steve McRae, who coaches women's world's number one Shin Ji-Yai, points to statistics from a new documentary 'How To Win The World Cup' that show penalty
takers are too aware of the impact that missing or scoring will have.

The programme, which draws on Castrol Performance data, reveals that research from the last three World Cups show that the side going first in penalty shootouts is seven times more likely to win.
McRae insists it shows World Cup footballers have been too focused on outcome rather than process.

"If you're results orientated you're going to miss a higher percentage of the time," said the 44-year-old Australian, who last year saw his player win the LPGA Rookie of the Year award and the season's money list.

"Any golfer, if they're results-oriented, their performance is going to be quite poor.

"If you're results-oriented you're thinking ahead to what scoring or missing means before you've executed the shot. You need a clear picture of where you are going to put the ball.

"It's just a matter of sticking to the decision they make and executing it. With a lot of footballers you can see before they take the shot, whether they're going to make it or not."

With an average of one in five World Cup matches being decided by shootouts, and two World Cup winners -- Brazil in 1994 and Italy in 2006 -- crowned after penalties, spot-kicks could mean death or glory in South Africa.
McRae believes the team kicking first in a shootout wouldn't have the same advantage if squads copied the process-driven approach used by elite golfers.

They tend to focus solely on visualizing and executing a shot rather than what the possible outcomes are.
"With golf you need to be thinking about what you're doing and what you can control yourself," he said.
"You've got to exclude everything outside that. In soccer, you've got 100,000 people yelling and screaming at you and if you aren't prepared for that you are probably going to miss it.

"You have to have control of the actions that you take, regardless of what your opponent is doing or whatever else is happening."
McRae laughs at another of the statistics revealed in the documentary which shows that players who turn their back to the goalkeeper after placing the ball on the spot succeed 96 percent of the time.

In contrast, players who stay facing the keeper have a 69 percent strike rate.
"What does that tell you straight away? Is it a mental game or what?" he said.

"In the first case you've made your decision; you turn your back on the goalkeeper because you know exactly what you want to do.
"There's going to be no eye contact so there are no mind games. That's it. Clear and positive decision - bang.

"In the other case, the reason you're walking backwards is because you still haven't decided. What happens? You're in two frames of mind and the goal's not big enough."

England can win World Cup says Spain star Villa

LONDON: Spain forward David Villa is convinced England have the perfect players to win the World Cup.

Villa, who signed for Barcelona from Valencia at the end of the season for 40million euros, has earmarked Fabio Capello's squad as one of the favourites to lift the trophy in South Africa and drew a parallel between England and his own country before they won Euro 2008.
Going into the European Championships two years ago, Spain were regarded as perennial underachievers.

But they finally fulfilled their potential with a series of fine performances to win their first international trophy for 44 years.
Vicente del Bosque's side are now widely hailed as the best in the world and Villa believes England, who last won the World Cup 44 years ago, have enough talent in their side to undergo a similar transformation.

He told The Sun: "Yes, England are good enough to win the World Cup. Absolutely. They are a bit like Spain, aren't they?

"The fact is, they have always had good teams and they have found it difficult in the big competitions. But the day will come, won't it?

"I think they have a perfect generation to make it to the final - and they will surely be one of the teams to beat."
Although England have failed to impress in their World Cup warm-up matches, they struggled to a 3-0 win over a local league side on Monday, Villa claims Capello can call on some of the best players at the finals.
"Individually, England have some of the best players - in defence, midfield as well as attack," he added.
"They have a great manager and a team that can perfectly well reach the final.

"I like a lot of their players but this season I would pick out Wayne Rooney.
"Frank Lampard also had a marvellous season and I have a special kind of admiration for Steven Gerrard."

The FIFA World Cup 2010 is being held from June 11 in South Africa, who are hosting it for the first time.
The Football World Cup has a long history of 80 years beginning from 1930 when the then president of the International Football Federation (FIFA) Jules Rimet’s dream came true organizing the first ever World Cup tournament....