Could it be genetics?

Technical ability?

Speed?

Strength?

What about attitude and the ability to accept situations and make them work in your favour? My friend Jared Montz has a slogan “Believe in it!” which I endorse whole heartedly.

The slogan is so simple, innocent, but so true. My spin on the slogan is “You only achieve what you believe.”

Think about it.

Losers (probably not politically correct but I’ll stick with the terminology) always look for someone to blame when they lose. They blame their coach, parents and the referee. They might even extend the abuse to the pitch or the weather and look out if you happen to be a teammate.

Winners on the other hand play with their sleeves rolled up and play above their problems.

Soccer is not something that gets served to us, good or bad. It’s how we deal with the issues and problems that arise from the game that separates the good, bad and the ugly.

If I asked you what the most important area or space is on a soccer field what would you answer?

Without a shadow of a doubt it’s the six inches between your ears. Six inches might be a little conservative for those that have a big head like me. In most cases, winning or losing is determined by the players who can remain focused.

Great players never let their opponent disgruntle them or put them off their game. Great players aren’t intimidated by the 1000’s of opposing fans thirsting for their blood. Great players are mentally tough and mentally conditioned to remain focused against all odds and flying bottles.

It’s very easy to lash out when the ball refuses to listen to you. It’s even easier to lose your cool when you can’t shake off those pesky opponents that seem to introduce you to their studs every second of the game.

When the pressures on both physically and mentally it’s very easy to get frustrated and dwell on your mistakes. The level of frustrations seems to follow a linear pattern that produces more mistakes. How many times have you seen a frustrated player get dispossessed only to lash out with a savage, late tackle from behind? After the initial outrage and the dreaded yellow card they never can remember how they got an early shower. Something nasty about their ancestors or their mother usually does the trick.

If your opponent gets inside your head, who wins?

Once you’re boiling with a rush of blood to the head, tackles, mistakes, fouls, referee decisions resemble World War 1 and 2. Once this happens, you’re history. Enjoy the early shower.

Final thoughts.

Play hard!

But always play fair.

We can’t always control the hooligans, supporters, zombie like parents and your opponents, but we can control ourselves and what circulates in that space between our ears. Remember, Champions are made, never born. Ability can get you to the top but it takes character and mental toughness to stay there.

Easier said than done. Fatigue and frustrations makes cowards of us all. To lose to your opponent because you ran out of gas is unforgiveable. To lose to your opponent because he made reference to your mother or ancestors is criminal.

Great players criticize themselves, not their teammates, coaches, opponents or the referee. Think about that next time you’re scrubbing your back while your team plays out the rest of the game with 10 men. Emphasis on the word “men”, not little boy who lost his cool.

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”

Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time in what many described as a bruising encounter. Fouls after fouls after fouls would test even the most conservative referees. At times the Dutch replaced the round ball for an ankle, chest and what ever else got in the way.

The Dutch plan was simple, unsettle the Spaniards and catch them on the break. To their credit, the game plan would have worked if it weren’t for the brilliance of Casillas who denied Robben on two crucial occasions at the death.

But like every Good vs Evil tale, Good prevailed and the Spanish were crowned champions of the world.

Most would agree that Spain were worthy winners and played the most attractive football. At times they resembled a PlayStation game with the ease they kept possession and passed the ball around.

After all is said and done, the World Cup in South Africa was a success.

Having watched the majority of the tournament from Australia, it amazes me how little respect the Australian media has for the game. Conspiracy theories (yes Lampard’s goal did cross the line, get over it), lack of knowledge for the game, lack of video technology, lack of flair, lack of this and lack of that. Why so negative?

Do these reporters know anything about the game?

Have they played the game?

Chances are their silver spoon kids that went to a prestige college and got into Journalism because their grades didn’t get them into Medicine. Pffft (not a word, rather a sound effect))

What the media needs to understand and to some extent the public, soccer is the world game. Nobody actually cares if it takes over Rugby or AFL here in Australia because it has conquered the world. The purpose of the world cup is not to sell soccer to countries like Australia, New Zealand and America, it doesn’t need you. If you think it’s boring, YOU’RE A MINORITY!

You don’t embrace it, so what!

You don’t want to write about it, so what! Millions upon millions fall over themselves to get the latest soccer news from every inch of this world.

Australian media needs to wake the fuck up!

On the eve of the biggest sporting event in the world, the Australian papers were filled with stories how an Australian Rules player fell victim to sleeping pills. How Mathew knights, coach of Essendon is feeling the pressures of coaching. How Arkemanis is playing in the VFA.

P-l-e-a-s-e, can we have some soccer coverage? 20 pages of AFL for every one page of soccer during the world cup is criminal. For those in the media that continue to mask the world game, FUCK YOU.

If you asked a handful of soccer fans to describe Diego Maradona what would they say?

Depending on their age and nationality, the answers would differ, that’s for sure. With the World Cup just around the corner I wonder what Diego Maradona is cooking.

My memories of Diego begin in Mexico, the 1986 World Cup where Maradona, lets face it, won the cup with his own boots and hand.

Then I remember the days in Italy where he put Napoli on the map. A small club from Naples all of a sudden became the heavy weights of European Soccer. Anyone my age would remember the sky blue jumpers with the Mars logo on the front.

Now we arrive in Rome 1990 for the Italia World Cup. Maradona has become a God in Italy but is now public enemy number one as he stands in the way of the Azzurri. As fate would have it, he scores a decisive penalty and Italy is bundled out of the world cup.

What I remember the most from that world cup is Maradona crying as they lost the final to Germany. A German by the name of Jurgen Klinsmann stole the cup from his grasp when he conned the referee into a penalty and a red card.

If you look back at the footage, you can’t help think the song “Don’t cry for me Argentina” was written for that very moment.

After the world cup, angry Italians demanded revenge and decided to crucify him for cocaine usage. Did the Italians know this before the world cup? If you think they didn’t, then you should be also expecting the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and Father Christmas to pay you a visit this year.

Maradona banished into the wilderness only to make the news by shooting a cameraman in the face with an air rifle.

In preparation for USA 94, he hired the services of, wait for it, Ben Johnson the disgraced Canadian drug cheat. Do you remember what happened after the first game against Greece? That’s right, the nurse grabbed him by the hand and led him to the rest rooms for a drug test. I still can picture his face, laughing and smiling at the nurse as if to say, do you know who I am?

What followed after that was a serious cocaine addiction that nearly killed him on several occasions. He also battled with his weight and at times looked like a bloated beast that escaped from the depths of hell.

After several failed attempts in rehab, Maradona found comfort in his long time friend Fidel Castro and beat the habit.

When ageing Alfio Basile quit the national job, Maradona was given the nod to everyone’s surprise.

Argentina just qualified for the World Cup and Maradona took aim at the media after being called everything under the sun.

Translated he said,

“I’m sorry ladies for my words and keep on sucking it. I’m either white or black, but I will never be grey in my life, right? You treated me like you did, now keep on sucking dicks…”

“I’m grateful to my players and to the Argentinian people, I thank no one but them. The rest, keep on sucking dicks. You too Pasman, right, you also have a dick inside you.”

For those that have been living under a rock, go to YouTube and type in “Maradona Press Conference” and watch it for yourself.

After being harassed by the media and being criticized for his team selection and coaching abilities, Maradona had this to say,

“I know how to win the World Cup. You have to put all your heart in it, you’ve got to give your life”.

When all is said and done, Maradona is a survivor and his love for Argentina can never be questioned. Throw Lionel Messi into the mix and you just never know.

Lets see what Maradona has installed for us in South Africa.

Gather around folks for another post on the benefits of soccer. The latest study took place in Denmark.

Scientists have concluded that Adults who regularly kick around a soccer ball with friends have better heart and bone health.

The life of a soccer mom is hardly glamorous and usually involves carpooling kids to games and supervising them. But here’s some good news for all the soccer mums around the world.

Hot of the press, women who join in the fun and kick around a soccer ball can dramatically improve their bone and heart health.

The study involved 70 women of different ages (20-47) who had never played the game of soccer before. The women were split into 3 groups, a running group, a soccer group and a control group or placebo for all you wanna be scientists.

The case study lasted for 14 weeks and involved an hour a day for just 2 days a week.

The results clearly showed that the active groups of running and soccer improved their health, balance and muscle groups in comparison to the control group. What surprised the Danish researches was that the soccer group outperformed the running groups in all health indicators.

Most would argue that running is a great aerobic workout. The running group showed a cardiovascular improvement of 10% against the control group. Not bad for 14 weeks don’t you think? Even more surprising was the soccer group that increased their health indicators by a whopping 18%.

Playing soccer also improved balance and muscle strength but had a significant effect on the woman’s bone mineral density by an average of 2-3%. According to the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, (I know, I have too much time on my hands) women after the age of 40 lose bone mass at the rate of about 0.5 to 1% per year. Simply kicking a soccer ball around is the equivalent to reversing 3-6 years of bone aging.

Don’t just take my word for it, Peter Krustrup, associate professor of exercise physiology at the University of Copenhagen said,

“We analyzed the activity patterns during soccer, and we observed multiple sprints, turns, tackles, headers and shots on goals. Soccer gave women a more diverse workout than running. The varied activity patterns were more stimulating to the bones than simply jogging or running at a steady pace.”

I know what you’re thinking. What about injuries and broken bones?

“When you play soccer in the park or among friends, the injury risk is much much lower than if you play competitive games with local rivals from another club.” Dr Krustnup said.

So next time you want to exercise, forget about jogging or the gym and grab yourself a soccer ball. The value of recreational soccer is enormous, so what are you waiting for?

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”

Fabio Capello has done a fantastic job as England coach and has shown his class with several, lets say, unconventional situations. England was one of the first countries to qualify for the World Cup and look destined for a deep run in the tournament.

Capello has done a great job preparing the squad and players like Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard are ready to take on the world.

So why does Fabio “Discipline” Capello look worried?

For those that have been living under a rock fasten your seat belts.

Ashley Cole has separated from his wife Cheryl Cole after X-rated photos of him surfaced in the hands of adoring, big-breasted models. Cheryl has been living in a London hotel and the couple are definitely facing troubled times. Nothing like a woman scorned just before a major tournament.

To add to Capello’s pain, Ashley Cole regarded by most as the best left back the country has to offer broke his foot against Everton. While in hospital, he admitted to taking the photos with his mobile phone.

This is the second time Ashley has been caught fooling around. In January 2008 hairdresser Aimee Walton claimed she had engaged in some drunken fun with him.

With all this going on, Capello better find a replacement for Ashley in case things go pear shaped.

Hang on a minute!

I know what you’re thinking. Wayne Bridge is the number 2 left back for England.

Oh dear.

Preparation for the World Cup is crucial with fitness, strength and organization being the key. Wayne Bridge publicly refused to shake john terry’s hand before their clash and has claimed that he will not go to South Africa with the England squad.

So what has Wayne been up to?

The Manchester winger has been drowning his sorrows with beer and ciggies in Miami of all places with a flock of women. Looks like his recovering and might have a change of heart.

John Terry continues to receive abuse from the England faithful and the jitters and boos continue to haunt him. Surely this will affect his form leading to South Africa. Carlos Tevez also added salt to the wounds by claiming Johnny would have been killed in Argentina for his sins. Sounds a little dramatic but no one needs reminding of the Andres Escobar shooting in Medellin.

In a nutshell, Capello has stripped Terry of his captaincy and has no proven left back at International level. The majority of the fans want to kill Johnny and Wayne Bridge is partying in Miami.

What else could possibly go wrong?

Well, according to EuroSports and the beauty of Sky television, the Football Association has released a statement claiming that the England team was secretly recorded before the Egypt game.

The recordings range from player conversations to tactical discussions of the coaching staff. Good times.

On a positive note (sarcasm), England has two more matches before travelling to South Africa for the biggest prize football has to offer.

Can Capello hold the England team together?

The England squad will be named on May 16 and his final 23 will be unveiled June 1.

For the recorded discussions go to

www.england-has-no-chance-of-winning-the-world-cup.com (giggle)

You pressed the link didn’t you?

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”