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At the 2010 FIFA World Cup™,Germany's Manuel Neuer has pulled off the most saves of the four goalkeepers left,but the Schalke shot-stopper is only thinking about a clean sheet in Wednesday's semi-final.Having denied Argentina in Saturday's 4-0 rout in the quarter-finals,Neuer is hoping for another shut-out against Spain on Wednesday with a place in Sunday's Final at Johannesburg's Soccer City at stake.

Neuer has conceded just two goals so far at South Africa 2010,but saved 18 shots,more than Fernando Muslera of Uruguay,who has 15 saves,The Netherlands' Maarten Stekelenburg (13) and Spain captain Iker Casillas (10).Spanish media have even dubbed the 24-year-old from Gelsenkirchen the 'German Casillas'.

"I haven't heard that,but of course it's an honour to be compared to Casillas," said Neuer."He is an incredibly good goalkeeper who has enjoyed so much success in the past.But I like to play for a zero and it will be the same on Wednesday."

The goals Neuer let in came in the 1-0 group-stage defeat by Serbia and the 4-1 last-16 win over England and he says the credit for Germany's defensive miserliness must be shared with his defence."It is thanks to some outstanding defending that we have only conceded two goals in the tournament,we can be very happy with that," he said.

Real Madrid's Casillas has also only leaked two goals so far at this tournament and Neuer says the Germans will need a bit of arrogance in Durban on Wednesday."You have to show the opposition who's boss," said Neuer."If you manage that,you have already achieved a little something."

In this tournament so far,Neuer saved 18 shots,Casillas 10 shots...That tells me the nothing except that Spain don't allow their defence to be breached as often as the German side...It tells me that Germany when they have possesion are fantastic but when they don't...They don't know what to do,I have a good feeling for Spain.Neuer is talking a good game but I'll wait until Wednesday night before congratulating the goose egg.I think it will be 2-1 Germany with both goals in the first half and then a scary,tense second half with Spain fighting hard but only get one,late in the game.Netherlands and Germany will be in the Final in Soccer City.


Copyright 2010 by Manuel Lows,who is a sports fan,falls in love with juicy couture tracksuit.

Dunga expressed that his tournament favourites' confidence is growing with every match after they eased to a 3-0 victory over Chile.As this,Brazil and the Netherlands will now meet in an intriguing-looking quarter-final at Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth on Friday.

That encounter will be the third time in the last five FIFA World Cups? that the two sides have met in the knockout phase.The Brazilians emerged victorious on the two previous occasions,winning 3-2 in the last eight at USA 1994 and 4-2 on penalties in the semi-finals of France 1998.

Dunga said:"We know there is always this expectation that Brazil will be the winners but being the favourite does not allow you to win the World Cup.Some people doubted that we would perform but as we go along that confidence is growing and growing and we hope to make it to the final."

Robinho,released on loan to Santos by Manchester City last season,insisted he would continue to put individual glory behind his team's achievement.He added: "I'm very happy with the goal and victory of my team and if I am able to be the best player and top scorer in the World Cup 2010,that will be fine but at the moment I'm concentrating my efforts on the team."

Kaka,on his return from suspension,also showed just why he is so important to Brazil but picked up a third caution of the tournament,from English referee Howard Webb.Dunga said he will raise the issue with the Real Madrid midfield star."It is a problem - I don't want Kaka to be out suspended," he said.

Dunga said the quarter-final would provide Brazil's toughest challenge so far."Holland have a great World Cup tradition and they are very similar to the South American teams so we have to be extremely careful," he said."We have to be prepared to deal with extremely technical,excellent players.They are a solid team."

I'm excited to see the Netherlands vs.Brazil match.The previous games were amazing.I root for another Brazil's victory.Dunga is right.Brazil is improving every game.


Copyright 2010 by Manuel Lows,who is a sports fan,fond of coach bags.

Teams always need some players who are endowed with technical brilliance and the ability to turn a match on its head with a single stroke of genius.

Take John Pantsil for example.Just a week ago,the Fulham stopper departed on a stretcher in stoppage time at the end of the 1-1 draw with Australia,blood pouring from his lip.Four days later he was back,patched up and raring to go as the Black Stars went down narrowly 1-0 to Germany.In an exclusive interview with FIFA,Ghana's central defender looked ahead to the impending Round of 16 tie with USA,spoke of his friendship with American forward Clint Dempsey,and reflected on the match between the two countries four years ago at Germany 2006.

Paintsil is such a great guy and an amazing defender.I love when he runs around the pitch with the flag,it's so patriotic.I wish him and the Black Stars the absolute best.



Copyright 2010 by Manuel Lows,who is a sports fan,works in .

Charged with breaking down a packed Honduran defence,Spain coach Vicente del Bosque opted to exploit the wide areas to help his team secure a vital first victory in Group H at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa?.As a result,Fernando Torres was deployed as a central striker,with David Villa and Jesus Navas flanking him on either side.

And it was via a mazy Villa run and finish,starting from his left-lying position,that the first goal came,with Sevilla youngster Navas also creating plenty of danger from the opposite wing.Thus,while it had been Spain's left flank which looked the stronger at the FIFA Confederations Cup last year,the European champions now also have a handy attacking outlet on the right.

"Navas gave a great deal of depth to our play," said Torres after the game.Navas added: "I've very happy with my contribution,but what mattered was the win.We may have missed a lot of chances but you've got to focus on the positives - we won the game."

Indeed,as Navas suggested,Spain's control of possession and constant attacking threat should perhaps have resulted in more than a 2-0 success."I don't think that we've had a good game.We ought to have won by more goals and I'm not totally happy," said La Roja coach Del Bosque.

Honduras was amateur at best.I mean they had no shots on target ALL game.Spain was playing like it was a training session and if they would've finished their chances it could have been ugly for the catruchas.No heart,no passion,no defense,certainly no offense,no skills,no team work,nothing from Honduras.Shame on them.It is clear that I am a Spain fan,yet a lot of the choices done by Del Bosque today were bad.Again we repeat ourselves,you can't force Xavi Hernandiz to play in that position,he was slow because of it,and the Spanish counter ability was with it.Torres should have not been switched,instead he should've been supported with David Silva from the start,and Villa position is forward.Navas didn't have any help from Ramos.Pedro is always better than Sergio.Sergio doesn't work will with Xavi.We didn't also see Xavi Alonso that much today.

Now most people think that the players in the spanish side dream of winning the WC like all other countries.Spain will never win a WC because playing for their country is not 1st choice,playing for there Clubs eg.barcelona,madrid is still no.1.You can see it especialy this morning game..no comunication & no supporting eachother when missed chances happen.I can see still the country divided as the rivalry between clubs..They have a great team & play the best football but the country & players still divided into there clubs....