World Cup Watch ... 31 days to go

Posted Tuesday, May 11, 2010 by theguardian.com

New Zealand plump for a wildcard in their squad and Landon Donovan insists the US can beat England - but nobody can dance with footballs like the Brazilians

World Cup Watch ... 31 days to go
New Zealand's Shane Smeltz, with the Waitemata Harbour behind him, will lead the All White's attack in South Africa.

New Zealand

Aaron Clapham was the sought-after interview in Auckland yesterday after the amateur was a surprise pick in the All Whites' World Cup squad. "If you asked me in November what would happen come World Cup time I would've told you I'd be watching it on TV," he said. Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen is the only Premier League-based player in the 23-man squad.

Japan
The former Portsmouth goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was an unexpected call-up to Japan's 23-man squad yesterday. The 34-year-old has not featured for Japan in 18 months.

United States
Landon Donovan has insisted that England's group rivals will make an impact in South Africa. "We are good enough to beat any team in the world," said the LA Galaxy star.

Brazil
As adverts by World Cup sponsors go, this one featuring Robinho, Ganso and Neymar, dancing with footballs to Beyoncé's Single Ladies, is pretty low-budget. Check it out.

Colombia
Meanwhile, the Colombia defender Luis Perea has defended pop star Shakira's official World Cup anthem, Waka Waka, Time for Africa. "I love it. It's hard to find a bad song by Shakira," he said.

Travel deal of the week
What Cape Portfolios offers competitive prices on villas during the World Cup.

Where Camps Bay in Cape Town, 15 minutes from the beach.

How to get there Qatar Airways offers return flights to Cape Town from £535.

Treatment roomThe Honduras striker Carlo Costly, whose father Anthony featured in the finals in 1982, will miss the World Cup after fracturing a bone in his right foot.

Harry Kewell is confident he will recover from a long-standing groin problem that has plagued his season for Galatasaray to play for Australia.

Denmark have included goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who dislocated his elbow last month playing for Stoke, in their provisional 30-man squad.

Did you know?
31 The biggest margin of victory in a World Cup qualifying match when Australia beat American Samoa 31-0 on 11 April, 2001

5 The most goals scored by the winners of the World Cup final – by Brazil in their 5-2 victory over the hosts, Sweden, in 1958

2 The number of players who won the World Cup as a player and a manager: Franz Beckenbauer with Germany and Brazil's Mario Zagallo

300 The smallest attendance at a World Cup match, between Romania and Peru in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930

Meanwhile in South Africa
The host nation is breaking out in football fever with a rush for team shirts, flags and vuvuzelas. Retailers have been taken by surprise and suppliers are unable to keep up with fresh orders, South Africa's Sunday Times reported. Brian Weyers, marketing director of Shoprite Holdings, revealed it has sold more than 10,000 footballs, while 15,000 replica Bafana Bafana shirts sold out within the first week.