World Cup Countdown #1

Quite exciting this, just one more week to go.

And the Arsewiper will also be bringing to its loyal readers a report from a live viewing of the potentially deadly-boring Switzerland-Italy match in Geneva tomorrow. In a way, both teams go into the game with something to prove in their last warm-up. Switzerland have been typically crap, and will want to put in a good performance before getting on the plane. Who did they lose to last time? Costa Rica? And Italy too. Losing to a Carlos Vela goal amongst others. Geez. collectors' item that one. So rare, that only two have been seen in the wild in the last century. Managed to dig up some old National Geographic footage of it, so for those who are interested: Vela goal. Vela scoring against Buffon. Wonder if we'll see that again in training in July. It'll be nice to see Vela put in a good World Cup. It'll either give his confidence a nice little boost or at least pad up his transfer fee just that little bit more.

Anyhows, the Switzerland-Italy could turn out to be a real cracker, or a real pain. Whatever it is (probably the latter), I'm ready for both. It'll be treat enough just watching the geriatric World Champions run out and play. Speaking of which, Fabio Cannavaro will head over to the Middle East to see out his final days and pad up the ole nest egg. Al Ahli. He says it's his "dream come true". Hmmm. Some strange dreams he has.

Elsewhere, Frank Lampard claims he can score with the Jabulani, even from a long way out. (Wonder whether it applies to 12 yards out too...) Anyway, not sure about you, but I kinda like the sound of "Lampard scoring with Jabulani". Can you imagine the news on the BBC? "And last night, Frank Lamprad scored with Jabulani, after being set up by John Terry." But I digress. There must be more important World Cup news out there. Wait a sec...

No, unfortunately, there isn't. Wait. Yes, there is this little bit of funny news.

These North Koreans. Clever chaps. Decided they'd rather have one more striker in the squad, and really, could do with just 2 goalkeepers. So, they registered one of theirs as a goalkeeper (since they're allowed 3 in all). Sounds reasonable enough to me. But no. Looks like there's the little thing about this rule that prevents the dude from playing as a striker. Seems like its 3 goalies, nothing more, nothing less. Full stop. Registered as goalie, play as goalie.

So, gotta feel sorry for the guy who'll probably have to get a new goalie's kit. FIFA's gonna have to review this one. Why not just 23, and allow the FAs to decide just however they want to compose that 23? What if like, in the whole of the sovereign state of Fullofstrikersland, there's just one goalie?

Anyways, FIFA says that there is an exception: "The only exception is in the case of a serious injury of a player in the list of 23, who could be replaced up until 24 hours before the first match of the team in the competition."

Hope nobody gets any funny ideas about unforeseen injuries...

Which brings me then to a last bit of non-World Cup news - to Rafa Benitez. Well, good for Liverpool. Took them long enough to figure it out. So it's said that it's on to Inter, that Rafa goes. Just imagine. Being an Inter fan. You win the Champions League, you lose Jose Mourinho, and you get Rafa Benitez. What a statement of intent. As for Liverpool, wonder what's next. I say go for Sam Allardyce. That's probably all you can afford right now!