Time to support our Bafana Republic. Three against Swaziland is fine. Anything less than a stuffing against Spain will do me

The face of Mr Price: Thabo Nthethe was captain for the
night in Swaziland - and scored his first Bafana goal

Let's get this clear from the start. I have a  problem with pessimists in our Bafana Republic (isn’t that what Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula called us last week?).

Just for starters, how about those twits calling for Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter’s head less than half a season after he became the first foreign coach to win the PSL (and he added the Nedbank Cup double).

They want Baxter out despite making the inspired subsitutions (George Lebese and Lehlohonolo Majoro) to clinch a tricky encounter against Gavin Hunt's Bidvest Wits last week.

And then there are those whinging about Roger De Sa, preferring to focus on Drawlando rather than celebrating the presence of a South African club in the African Champions League final for the first time in a decade. Nonsense. It's not like there are any great contenders to replace the boss at EITHER of the Soweto giants.

And then we come to Bafana. It started within five minutes of the kick-off on the plastic surface of the Somhlolo Stadium on Saturday night.

Our national coach Gordon Igesund was accused of EVERYTHING from a lack of imagination to a one-eyed selection policy. After months of agreeing not to choose pre-occupied Pirates, he filled his squad with Buccaneers and STILL nobody was happy.

It’s madness guys. As Manchester United fans will tell you, keeping faith in a coach is a vital part of any successful football set-up.

I tweeted frantically “keep the faith” though I too was surprised by some of the selections, particularly Thabo Nthethe, playing for leaky Bloemfontein Celtic but made national captain for the night. Apparently it has something to do with his new role as “The Face of Mr Price Sport”.

But after a dreadful first half, Bafana changed things. Igesund said afterwards: “We wanted to start strongly but they parked the bus, put a lot of players behind the ball. We had a chat at half-time about how to get behind them, it worked.”

It sure did. Two goals in as many minutes from Reneilwe “YeahYeah” Letsholonyane and young Bongani Zungu were followed by a well-struck goal from Nthethe himself, his first in national colours.

Could we have asked for anything more? Gordon admitted: “We did want to go for a 4^th, 5^th and 6^th but overall I’m happy with the way we played. We pushed it about, we kept the ball.”

A bit of loyalty, a bit of belief wouldn’t go astray when it comes to Igesund, who capped his 90^th player in just over a year on Friday night as he shuffled the pack for the home-based CHAN tournament early next year.

And of course it’s all change at Soccer City on Tuesday night when World and European champions Spain return to the site of their 2010 World Cup triumph.

Gordon points out: “I’ve got the overseas contingent coming to join us, there will be changes. But I may bring in another one of those who played tonight. I’m worried about Thabo Matlaba's injury. I’ve got two left-backs out now, with Tsepo Masilela – but Nthethe can play there too.”

Swaziland, ranked 183 in the world, may prove a tad less tough than Spaniards, ranked at No1 since 2008. But Gordon remains hopeful. Just wish the rest of our football-speaking nation would join him. Anything less than a stuffing would be okay by me.

BOLLOCKZ! my show on www.ballz.co.za, airs every Thursday from 9am. See the Ballz channel on www.YouTube.com for our growing collection of interviews with the big names in South African football.

You can also follow me on www.twitter.com/nealcol for all the latest sports news… and read my “Neal and Pray” column every Tuesday in www.thenewage.co.za.

BOLLOCKZ! is backed by www.topodds.com - have a look at their site for my latest sports betting advice and how we are doing in using @thumperpigeon's R5,000 to make money for the Ball's charity WINGZ OF CHANGE.

The Booooooths will be ringing out this Christmas: Matthew Booth finally signs for Ajax Cape Town

The Booooooths will soon be ringing around South African football stadiums once more. Matthew Booth, the towering centre-back released by Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of last season, has finally signed for Ajax Cape Town after “protracted negotiations” in the boardroom.

With rookie boss Maarten Stekelenburg struggling to live up to the standards set by the Urban Warriors under Foppe de Haan, Booth’s calm assurance at the back may help the club get over their shock Telkom Knock-out quarter-final defeat at the hands of the lowly Golden Arrows in Cape Town last weekend.

Booth’s first outing won’t be easy though. After the international break, Ajax resume their faltering league campaign against runaway leaders SuperSport United on 18 November. Ajax were denied the title on the final day of last season – this term under Stekelenburg, they are currently eighth, a full ten points adrift of Gavin Hunt’s frontrunners.

Fish Hoek-born Booth, 34, was first spotted in the Cape Town Spurs junior ranks in 1994 - his dad Paul played amateur football for Fish Hoek FC. Booth ended up playing 92 games for Spurs between 1994 and 1998 before his first foray at Sundowns. The lure of foreign football saw an unsuccessful loan spell at rugged English club Wimbledon when they were in the top flight before going east to Russian, where he played 52 games for Rostov and 107 for Krylia Sovetov.

His return to Sundowns was hampered by a career-threatening knee injury early this year. Though he claimed to have regained full fitness, he was “let go” around the time Johan Neeskens arrived to take over the Brazilians.

That acrimonious exit left the 1.98m (6ft 6in) bitter and bewildered but the sun didn’t quite go down on the big man - he battled back and has been happily training with hometown club Ajax for nearly two months. Before last year’s World Cup in South Africa Booth – married to Pimville beauty Sonia - was used in an advertising campaign as the “Face of Africa” and featured heavily in promotions with LG and Vodacom, see what I wrote at the time http://neal-collins.blogspot.com/2010/04/matthew-booth-unexpected-face-of-south.html.

American and Spanish journalists at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa thought Booth was being booed every time he touched the ball for Bafana – until it was explained the word Boooooth has a final syllable.

At the time, his wife Sonia said: "The foreign journalists thought it was a racist thing. I just laughed. But part of me wanted to say, 'They're not booing him. He's my husband, and trust me, I know!'"

Though he was picked in Carlos Alberto Parreira’s World Cup squad of 23 and featured in the final friendly against Denmark in Atteridgeville, Booth failed to play a single minute as South Africa became the first host nation not to reach the knock-out stages. Parreira effectively ended his international career after an 11 year period which included the 2000 Olympics and 37 full caps.

Booth, who agreed personal terms with Ajax a month ago, told kickoff.com last week: “Everything is going well. I played my first 45 minutes against Santos in a friendly game at the weekend and came through okay, even though I am still not sharp.

“We have another friendly game against Hanover Park and I am looking forward to another nice game. Ajax has a good medical team and they are looking after me very well.”

But the signing was delayed at boardroom level with Booth finally signing a contract until the end of the season – it will be extended for a further two years if he can prove his fitness.

Stekelenburg said after the belated pen had been put to paper: “Matthew’s experience on and off the field is something we are looking for. He is a fantastic player who adds some things that we currently lack in our squad.

“Our young players will learn a lot from him. We feel that Matthew adds balance to our current squad and look forward to him being part of our team. His presence and height will strengthen our defensive aerial power.”

Club CEO George Comitis said: “Matthew will add tremendous value to the club, especially in guiding the young players from our academy.

“We always first look at our youth academy for additions to our squad but we knew we needed an experienced defender.”

Spurs No1 Gomes Eager for Third Successive Summer in Africa

Tottenham’s Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is heading to South Africa for a third successive summer insisting: “Playing against Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will be perfect preparation for the English Premier League season.”

Gomes came to the Rainbow Nation in 2009 as part of the Brazil squad for the Confederations Cup and was back last year as his nation reached the quarter-finals of World Cup.

Now he prepares for the Vodacom Challenge against the treble winning champions the Buccaneers and Arsenal-like under-achievers Chiefs telling the tottenhamhotspur.com website: “South Africa is a great place to play football, the atmosphere is special, a lot different to other countries.

“First of all, the people are so friendly and they love the game as everyone knows from the World Cup.”

With Spurs set to play at World Cup venues in Polokwane, Nelspruit and Johannesburg’s Ellis Park, the Brazilian is ready for a return to the din of the vuvuzelas and grinned: “The stadiums are fantastic - South Africa did very well for the World Cup. The feeling for the game there is unbelievable. It’s a great atmosphere to play football in.

“I think it will be ideal preparation for us and we have to be ready for the start of the season.

“We know it will be tougher than ever because everyone knows about Tottenham now and what we can do.”

Spurs plan to bring both their Bafana Bafana internationals, Steven Pienaar and Bongani Khumalo with them on safari. Pienaar arrived at White Hart Lane from Everton for £2m in January just a month after Khumalo landed from Pretoria’s SuperSports United for £1.5m.

But with a surfeit of central defenders at Spurs, Khumalo, 24, looks set to turn out next season on loan at Scottish champions Rangers, who have had a difficult pre-season so far under new manager Ally McCoist.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made the loan offer to Rangers last week and agent Glyn Binkin confirms: “I think it will be an excellent move for Bongani, because Rangers are a big club.”

Khumalo, who has yet to turn out for the Spurs first team, fractured a metatarsal in his foot after playing six “outstanding” games on loan for relegated Championship club Preston North End last season.

Binkin insists: “Bongani is focused on fully recovering and he should be back at full training by the end of this week.

“He will be keen on the loan deal, because he wants to play football and gain the experience. If the opportunity arises he will go. I think it will be an excellent move for him.”

Spurs kick-off the Vodacom Challenge against the Amakhosi on Saturday, July 16 in Polokwane before facing Bucsalona in Nelspruit on Tuesday, July 19.

The Chiefs and Pirates go head-to-head in Port Elizabeth on Thursday, July 21 and Spurs take on the winners of the Soweto derby in the final on Saturday, July 23 at Ellis Park.

Brazilian brilliance overcomes idiotic Ivorians... and Kaka gets the worst red card of the tournament

Dimly, beneath the din of the Vuvuzelas, the Samba beat is taking a grip at this World Cup. Brazil’s comfortable 3-1 triumph over the Ivory Coast at Soccer City last night may not have been majestic, but it was certainly emphatic.

And even the ridiculous 88^th minute sending off of the improving Kaka won’t hamper their progress. The second most expensive player in the world received a red from flawed French referee Stephane Lennoy despite the fact that Kader Keita ran in to him and then threw himself to the floor.

The incident sparked a huge melee, but it was nothing more than handbags. A FIFA review of this red card must surely result in complete exoneration. Keita, bow your head in shame. This World Cup deserves better.

Former Manchester City star Elano found himself on the wrong side of an upturned boot too, adding further bitterness.

But none of this should take away from Brazil’s performance last night. While the great European nations struggle with conditions in South Africa, the Latin Americans are simply steaming through their groups.

Brazil join Argentina and Holland as the only perfect teams so far. The latter have been the least convincing of that trio. And we all know how Italy, Germany, England and even Spain have struggled so far. Let’s not talk about France.

Paraguay and Chile look pretty hot too, while Uruguay could top Group A.

The Africans? Not good. Ivory Coast are now struggling, South Africa, Algeria and Nigeria are left hoping for miracles, Cameroon – the best ranked of the lot - are already out. Ghana may be the only survivors from the six who started this first African World Cup.

At times last night, despite the distinctly South African howl of horns, we might have been in the Maracana. There was some masterful stuff, including two goals from Luis Fabiano, who scored nine in qualifying.

The first was an absolute beauty, rammed in from a narrow angle after 25 largely unimpressive minutes of a mediocre first half.

But a brief chat with Dunga at half-time saw the Brazilians – who have achieved global domination five times on four continents – emerge with a roar. Fabiano, who will be right up there with Argentina’s Gonzalo Higiuan in the battle for the golden boot, produced what looked to be a great juggle past three defenders to slip home a second after 50 minutes.

The replays appeared to show not one but two handballs as the Sevilla man set up his second. But hey, these are Brazilians. Let’s not nit-pick. Even the ref had a good old laugh with Fabiano about it afterwards.

Real Madrid’s Kaka, who was looking better and better after a slow start, had one effort brilliantly saved before setting up the third for Elano in the 63^rd minute. But then Elano – who had showed off his shin pads after scoring - was carried off on a stretcher after a studs-up response from Cheik Tioto to a sliding tackle.

Didier Drogba, battling away despite playing with a cracked arm, came up with a consolation goal. And then came Kaka’s unjust dismissal... and a late flurry from the Ivorians. But by now, most neutral observers had lost all sympathy for Drogba’s men. And I suspect Didier himself was a little embarrassed. Not to mention former England and Mexico boss Sven Goran Eriksson.

But let’s not let cynicism take away from Brazil’s occasional brilliance. If I were a betting man, they’d be right up there with Argentina. And they’ve got Dunga in charge, not Diego Maradona.

Look, I know I rattle on about these things but, unbelievably, they want me to speak at South Africa’s National Arts Festival on July 4. Yes, it’s ridiculous. Me? Arts? Anyway, here’s the details if you can make it: http://www.computicket.com/web/event/neal_collins_a_game_apart/148367625

Exclusive: Behind The Scenes at American and Italian World Cup Camps

THE countdown on FIFA.com is down to 36 days. They've removed their day-by-day rundown from the official site, so let's continue it here, with a sneak look at two of the World Cup bases.

In South Africa, where I'm based in the Highveld at Centurion between Johannesburg and Pretoria, we're into autumn. That means clear skies, the rains are receding... and the days are glorious.

Perhaps that's why the two local World Cup camps looked so bloody perfect today. The USA camp at Irene Country Lodge, about an hour from Oliver Tambo international airport, was first up.

A beautiful hotel with man-made lake - see the exclusive video athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OtSyTVjDOc, the place is ready, willing and waiting for the Americans to arrive. A low-slung, double-storey five-star complex, Irene boasts a posh al la carte restaurant inside and an outdoor eaterie with unbelievable African buffet.

Outside the rooms where Landon Donovan and company will stay, there's plenty of grass for a morning warm-up before you get to the lake, teeming with jumping carp and barbel, with an island 200 yards out complete with a faux African ruin.

But as in all South Africa venues, the staff are the stand-out feature. Wonderful, warm waiters, waitresses and receptionists clamour around and are more than willing to talk about the imminent arrival of "their" Americans.

Irene hosted the Italians during the Confederations Cup last year and the staff learned a few words of Italian but now the English-speaking Americans face a real African welcome. Amos, the head waiter, says: "The USA have a good chance of going far but Spain and Brazil are the favourites. England can never win it!"

About two miles up the road, Southdown College offers the training facilities - and according to one member of staff, the Italians have nabbed the two green, perfect pitches, leaving the Americans to use nearby Swartkop Hoer Skool's rugby pitch, where the Italians trained last year.

The Italians are based barely three miles away at Leriba Lodge. Again, this is a tranquil oasis of greenery amid suburban sprawl - Centurion has grown out of all recognition since I went to school there when it was called Verwoerdburg in the 1980s.

Leriba has a spa and wonderful gardens will lolloping rabbits. I tracked down a couple of staff, but they were sticking to the company line: "I think Italy have a good chance!" they grinned when asked about their World Cup favourites.

I have just uploaded a second video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spzCX3CXdYA of Leriba and their charming Hemingways Restaurant, complete with small, private dining rooms for the team and staff.

Though the traffic around the grounds has grown considerably in recent years, both Italy and the USA can be happy with the choice of their officials. They will be living in the lap of luxury, undisturbed by the general hustle and bustle of African life.

But neither of these grounds can compare with England's state-of-the-art facility at the Royal Marang Hotel. Fabio Capello's men have umpteen football pitches and artificial surfaces on offer, right on their doorstep.

And crucially, they are barely 5km from the Bafokeng Sports Palace stadium where they open Group A against the USA on June 11. The Americans will have to travel 60 miles to get there - and it's no doddle.

Advantage England then. But it's a very slight one.

I've been inundated with emails, facebook messages and twitters since my appearance with David O'Sullivan at 702 radio yesterday... also been on SABC Radio 2000 talking politics twice and Cape Talk reviewing the Americans.

It's hectic. Tomorrow I'm off to Indaba 2010 where I will also take in the vital Sharks v Stormers Super 15 rugby match at Kings Park.

Keep up with me on Twitter (nealcol) and www.nealcollins.co.uk.

The good, the mad and the Messi: Barca outgun Arsenal 4-1

WE are now able to confirm Lionel Messi is, as we have long suspected, the world’s greatest footballer. At 22 and barely 5ft 7in, he can happily claim that accolade 65 days before the World Cup kicks off in South Africa.

A quite stunning 21-minute hat-trick at the Nou Camp tonight – and a fourth goal in the dying minutes to make it 4-1 - simply beggared belief. Breathless, bemused, bewitched, we watched as he took Barcelona smoothly from doom to boom. The Champions League quarter-final second-leg against Arsenal belonged to one man, one little genius.

Arsenal's goalscorer Nicklas Bendtner admitted afterwards: "If you have to lose a game, you want to lose because the other team is playing you off the pitch. It's difficult to be behind at the Nou Camp. Messi is a phenomenal player."

A remarkably calm Arsene Wenger, facing the prospect of a sixth trophy-free season, said: "The difficulty with Messi is he’s not always in the game. But when he is, he’s unstoppable. He’s the only player who can change direction at such a pace. He is the best player in the world right now. What can you do?”

It’s hard to offer this summary of his goals for a sports journalist who named his dog Charlie George in 1972, but here it is:

THE GOOD: On 21 minutes, he crashed the equaliser into the top corner from the edge of the box with his right foot barely a minute after Arsenal had gone ahead.

THE MAD: After 37 minutes, he poached the ball in the box and chipped in with his right after a deft touch with his left to give the home side the lead.

THE MESSI: After 37 minutes, clear through, he produced the outrageous, slipping his boot under the ball to lob a flummoxed Almunia and lift the Nou Camp’s 90,000 to a mighty victory roar.

THE TERRIBLY MESSI: Just three minutes to go and Messi mesmerises the Arsenal defence, first Eboue, then Vermaelen, Almunia saves but is beaten on the rebound - through his legs.

And that really was the story of a grim night for Arsenal – it would be churlish to mention they were also plagued by another display of fussy refereeing from the whistle-happy Wolfgang Stark.

Again, like the 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium last week, it was a game to remember. Twenty minutes in, with the ref ruining it and Manuel Almunia making a sharp early save, Abou Diaby committed a foul on the halfway line.

For once, Stark waved play on, Samir Nasri made a nifty tackle, fed Abou Diaby... who found Theo Walcott just on-side. He broke clear but, inexplicably, decided to play in Nicklas Bendtner with only the goalkeeper to beat. Bendtner's first effort was blocked but the long leg of the floored Great Dane stretched out and bang, 1-0 to silence the whole of Catalunia.

That fiver on Arsenal to win 1-0 at 12-1 looked a good investment. Briefly. Incredible scenes in the Collins lounge and all over north London (and a small corner of the Nou Camp). Seconds later, Diaby might have found Walcott on the break again... but he chose Bendtner down the left and good possession was squandered.

Up the other end surged Barcelona and there was Messi, that giant in every aspect other than height, to crash home the equaliser barely a minute after Arsenal's unexpected opener.

Walcott certainly had the Catalans quaking. Sergio was required to bring one lesson in Theology to a premature end but escaped a yellow card.

Seconds later, Denilson’s shrewd slide tackle clearly took the ball but Messie did the old double roll and Arsenal’s Brazilian was in the book. Disgraceful refereeing. But then, as Charlie George will tell you, I am one-eyed with rose-tinted glasses.

And of course, footballing justice dictated that it was Messi who got on the end of Barca’s second with 37 minutes gone with Gael Clichy scrambling to cover and Almunia gone to ground. A great finish, Arsenal out-numbered.

Still, the first half-an-hour hadn’t been as bad as the first 30 minutes at the Emirates. Arsenal were in it, Barca weren’t having it easy.

As their boss Pep Guardiola said in the build-up: “There’s no point in being the best side in the world and losing.”

So they didn’t. Messi’s hat-trick,his fourth this year, came before half-time as he broke clear past a creaking defence bereft of William Gallas and Sol Campbell. With the world watching, he refused to take the easy route. As he swept in, the Argentine simply lobbed the advancing Almunia, face on, escaping his outstretched gloves by inches to find the net. Incredible. Andy Gray on Sky was loving every moment, but then he is Scottish. Clearly, Messi is world class. But, as the Denilson incident had indicated earlier, he’s a cheat. I'm taking stick for saying that but hey, I can only write it as I see it.

Messi was clear again before the break but his touch was heavy. He’s not perfect. But at 22 after spending puberty on growth hormones, the bloke is pretty damn close to it. He doesn't need to do the full lottery roll-over every time somebody tackles him.

Four minutes into the second half he was a touch away from goal number four as Arsenal, understandably rattled, attempted to unflabber their gasts.

In the 50^th minute, Bendtner had the ghost of a chance but he was too slow pulling the trigger. The Dane is a tad short at this level, oh for a fit Robin van Persie or an elderly Thierry Henry, left on the bench by Barca against the club for whom he still holds every major scoring record.

In the Sky commentary box, Gray assured us Barca are just too good, Messi just too perfect. Why are there so many Jocks doing English commentary? This was a time for the old bulldog spirit.

A week before at this stage, Arsenal had been two goals down but rallied to draw 2-2. And a 3-3 draw at the Nou Camp would have put the Gunners through to the last four against Inter Milan, who had earlier seen off CSKA on the artificial pitch in Moscow.

After 72 minutes, Gael Clichy’s cross found Bendtner’s head with what looked a great chance. He hit the post when it looked easier to score – but the offside flag had been raised.

The awful Tomas Rosicky was then replaced by striker Eduardo as Arsene Wenger attempted to work the miracle.

But by then, it was too late. The spell had been cast by the tiny wizard. Thank God Messi’s got Diego “Hand of God/Face of Dog” Maradona running the show for Argentina in South Africa later in the year, otherwise he’d be nailed on to win the World Cup too.

But he wasn’t finished with Arsenal yet. With three minutes left and the game over, he turned the otherwise impressive Emmanuel Eboue, beat the unimpressive Thomas Vermaelen and forced Almunia into yet another save. But the rebound was stuck firmly through the fellow-Spaniard’s legs to make it 4-0.

That was his first four-goal burst in football. Just another stage in the growing process for the little lad from Rosario. Barca 4, Arsenal 1. That made it 6-3 on aggregate. And as Arsene Wenger contemplates a sixth year of dusty trophy cabinets, Barca can contemplate just how wise they were to provide growth hormone treatment to an 11-year-old crying out for growth hormone treatment.

That’s not a tall story. That’s the miracle of Messi.

See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqck5JuZtuc

And: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/374426-the-good-the-mad-and-the-messi-barca-out-gun-arsenal-in-style

Livid and pissed off: How France feels about Wenger over Gallas... and it could be Capello, Ferguson and Rooney next

THE French civil war has been declared. Verbally, it's a massacre as the slightly mad Raymond Domenech gets stuck in to vaguely crazy compatriot Arsene Wenger over his selection of William Gallas against Barcelona on Wednesday.

The words "Livid", "outraged" and even "pissed off" are flying. In English. I hate to think what all that sounds like in French as Domenech, 58, an international full-back born in Lyon, leads the assault against Wenger, 60, who never got close to a French cap after being born in German-speaking Strasbourg.

And you can understand Domenech's argument. Imagine if Rio Ferdinand had been injured for months and was just approaching full fitness. After just TWO full fitness sessions he is allowed to play - and survives barely 40 minutes before a relapse of his calf strain. Now, according to Wenger and the Arsenal medics, Gallas is out for five weeks. And that could be it for France and the man they hoped would provide leadership and a solid backbone at the World Cup.

Of course, this scenario could yet happen for England boss Fabio Capello - with Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney both requiring significant nursing to get to South Africa. And don't be surprised if Spain come out with similar complaints against Wenger soon - he allowed Cesc Fabregas to play despite injuring the same leg in the same place before the Barcelona clash against Birmingham last season.

But for now, we can concentrate on the Gallas situation - and change his name to Rooney, Lampard, Fabregas or (hopefully) Messi or Ronaldo as the countdown to the big June 11 kick-off in Soccer City approaches. And as Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson would always say: "It's the club that pays the wages."

Gallas last played on February 10 when he first went down with his calf problem. At the same time there were contract talks and Roma representatives were allegedly hovering.

Some thought we had seen the last of the Frenchman, a leader, an inspiration - and an occasional sulker. But he did battle back - and had enjoyed just two full training sessions before the Barcelona game.

I said at the time, that epic result might have ended Arsenal's season. They lost Andrei Arshavin, Fabregas and Gallas to gain a result which leaves them with little chance of progress at the Nou Camp next week. Ironically Gallas went off before half-time, after seeing the Gunners comprehensively outplayed for 42 minutes. And, like the injured Arshavin, he saw none of the goals in a magnificent come-from-behind 2-2 draw.

Afterwards, Wenger said: "I took a gamble that didn't pay off. I can say I regret that now. He will be out for a minumum of five weeks."

He didn't look all that upset in the press conference. And that didn't help Domenech's mood as he prepares for France's pre-World Cup training camp starts on May 18. Domenech, always under pressure in the French hot-seat, said: "It's outrageous and irresponsible to have played him so early after the injury. It's scandalous. I'm livid and pissed off. He'd better be fit for the World Cup."

But Wenger, like Sir Alex Ferguson when it comes to Rooney later in the month, responded: "We have to first take care of the interests of Arsenal. The French team is important but so is Arsenal and William is paid by the club, not by the French team. We have to use the players when they declare themselves fit.

"I believe he declared himself fit and I have the reports from the rehabilitation centre where he worked for 10 days and he had four days training with the team. Maybe we should have taken some more time but he was jumping, running up and down the stairs in France, and he had very hard sessions. I don't think this will cost him his World Cup."

Arshavin and Fabregas both crocked. Did the great draw with Barca bring Arsenal's season crashing down?

ANDREI ARSHAVIN has just announced on his official website that he will be out "for two or three weeks" with the calf injury he picked up at the pulsating Emirates Stadium last night.

And after their incredible 2-2 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League, Cesc Fabregas admitted: "I am not good. I fear the worst - I broke something."

This morning's reports suggest Fabregas converted the equalising penalty with a broken fibula, the smaller bone in the shin. And there is a growing realisation that the epic comeback may just have been the last hurrah of an Arsenal season which promised so much.

Without Arshavin and Fabregas, and with Robin Van Persie still out, how can Arsenal expect to challenge for the Premier League title? Or win at the Nou Camp?

On March 31, they were outplayed for an hour - more so than most of us can ever remember on their home patch - and on April 1, Gooners everywhere are admitting to feeling a little foolish.

Yes, Theo Walcott did well to put them back in the game. His searing pace and well-taken goal might even push him into the World Cup squad.

Sure, Alex Song and Samir Nasri did more than the great Lionel Messi. And Nicklas Bendtner's ball to set up the Walcott goal was quite unexpected. Manuel Almunia certainly emerges with a significantly enhanced reputation, making at least five great saves.

And we all know that both Barca's centre-backs, Pique and Puyol, will be out. But only the most one-eyed Arsenal fan (and Arsene Wenger) truly expects a miracle at the Nou Camp.

And they go into the weekend clash with Wolves without Fabregas, Arshavin and William Gallas. Wenger gambled when he allowed all three to play despite injuries. That heart-over-head philosophy has backfired.

Arshavin said on his website today: "Perhaps, I won’t be able to come out on the pitch for another two or three weeks. This is a new injury for me, not an old one.

"The other guys will try to play to win. I didn't see the comeback I was with the doctors. Now I can say only one thing: Arsenal footballers, without doubt, showed their character. Barcelona had a good start, but we found our way back."

But at what cost? Fabregas said: "We have to wait but I hope I will be able to wear the Arsenal shirt again this season.

"I took the penalty quite strong and after that I went to get the ball and then I couldn't walk any more.2

Ardent Gooners fear the next time they see Fabregas in action, he will be wearing a Barca shirt. And contract-seeking Gallas may play his next game in Roma colours. With the Arsenal trophy cabinet left gathering dust for a SIXTH successive years.

Say it ain't so, Arsene.

See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqck5JuZtuc

Wayne's World: from teen tempest to a man united... and the Egyptians quake

IT seems like just yesterday we were worried about Wayne Rooney's knee.

Today he's unstoppable, the World Cup is ours, Egypt will be flattened on Wednesday, pyramids and all.

Yes, a day can be a long time in football, especially when the England squad are gathered at The Grove with the nation's media in attendance before Wednesday's friendly against Egypt at Wembley (where the surface, according to James Milner, is as bad as World Cup venue Nelspruit, but that's another story).

Yesterday, after Sir Alex Ferguson had warned of a possible knee problem, the Wonder that is Wayne emerged to say all the right things, calming the nation from Defcon 1 to a state of calm serenity.

And as I said here three weeks ago when John Terry was stripped of the captaincy, Rooney emerged before the microphones looking every inch like the man who will lift the World Cup at Soccer City on July 11.

Well, we can dream can't we?

The Wisdom of Wayne knows no bounds. The wild Evertonian has become a man united.

Thus spake Rooney, the 24-year-old who looks like he always has but appears to have matured in every other way: "I feel good. I feel every game I'm going to score. I do feel unstoppable."

Which is exactly what all those nice foreign coaches were saying about him in Sun City last week. Good to hear our spearhead is sharp and confident.

He was even able to explain why, after his headed winner in the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa on Sunday, he has changed his method of scoring. From four headers in 345 games to eight in nine. Echoing my point yesterday about Valencia versus Cristiano Ronaldo, he said: "This year, with Antonio Valencia, the delivery has been better than previous years. But I've been working on my heading. My movement and timing has got better. It has all come together and that is probably why I am scoring more with my head.”

Ah but we've seen this before. A player in top form then suddenly, under the blazing Sun, people like Ashley Cole, John Terry and Wayne Bridge (not to mention their partners) begin to wilt.

No problem there either. After begging the Wembley fans not to boo former captain Terry, he says: “I don’t feel any pressure. I have had to deal with pressure since I was 16. You get used to it. I deal with it in a way I feel comfortable.

“What I will do is try and play my best, give my all. I am ready for the World Cup. I am in the best form of my life. I am ready

"It is difficult as a footballer because you know people look up to you.

"You are role models, whether you like it or not, and you need to try and be aware of that and try to do your best on the pitch and try and do things well for kids to see.

"When I first joined Manchester United I would go out to nightclubs, but it is very rare that I would go out to a nightclub now. It changes with age. I made that decision myself. I got into a few things that I shouldn’t have when I was younger and I tried to change that.

"I am settled at home now. It’s good. I am enjoying my life with my family. I spend a lot of time at home with them and that has obviously benefited me. When you are home you get your rest and it is definitely helping."

And yes, I agree. It all sounds too good to be true. But let's not worry about that. Roll on Egypt. Tutankahmun, Cleopatra, Sphinx, Anwar Sadat, your boys are in for one hell of a beating.

Terry sacked as England captain, it's official. Capello: "I would like to thank the FA for letting me take this decision"

JOHN TERRY was sacked as England captain this afternoon at Wembley after a 12-minute meeting with coach Fabio Capello.

In a statement, Capello said: "After much thought I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.

"As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour.

"However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad.

"What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice and John Terry was notified first."

Capello went on to say thanks to the FA for "allowing me to make the decision".

This blog suggested Terry was going at noon after receiving an email detailing further allegations to come against the £150,000-a-week Chelsea defender.

Rio Ferdinand - Capello's vice-captain - will be captain for the friendly against Egypt at Wembley on March 3.

Terry's demise was announced at around 3.30pm. I was on Sky News with, amongst others, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, PFA chief Gordon Taylor and the News of the World's Neil Ashton for about half-an-hour by phone discussing the decision.

Ashton, once a Sunday League team-mate of mine with the Warriors in Amersham, said the Terry family will not want to buy the News of the World on Sunday but Perroncel, according to Max Clifford, has now decided not to sell her exclusive story to the papers.

In a nicely worded statement she said her main concern was her three-year-old fathered by Wayne Bridge. Bit late in the day for sentiments like that, I would argue.

When the story of Terry's affair with Perroncel broke on Saturday after his super-injunction was over-turned, there was a groundswell of opinion against the immoral Chelsea leader.

But as the days passed, Ms Perroncel lost some of her allure as she joined forces with arch-publicist Clifford and hawked her story around for £250,000.

The mood changed. Why ruin England's World Cup preparations by getting rid of the captain when the woman involved apparently slept with FIVE Chelsea players (according to The Sun) and has been dabbling with celebrities like the dark-haired bloke out of Steps since her teens?

Suddenly the underwear model was the bad lass, despite a tearful reunion with Wayne Bridge, father of her child and Terry's former Chelsea team-mate. We were ready to write off Terry's affair - which allegedly featured an abortion and a £20,000 payment - as just another footballer going astray with a temptress.

Even his wife Toni, who fled to Dubai with the Terry twins after the story broke, publicly said she would forgive him when he flies over for Valentine's Day, missing Chelsea's FA Cup clash with Cardiff on February 13.

But today the mood changed. And there are several reasons for it, not all of them publishable at this point.

Word reaches me that Terry may indeed have slept with another team-mate's wife at Chelsea. The woman is a model and a mother. Hilarious. Not.

On top of that, Perroncel has apparently slept with "another household name" at Chelsea. The Mirror made that allegation on Wednesday. I have the name. Actually two. One of them is really going to shake things up.

On top of that, also in the top-secret email naming these names, came the allegations over Terry's use of a box at Wembley. Certain claims were made. Now, 24 hours later, if you read this morning's Daily Mail back page, you'll see further details of that. Terry's minders are offering to hire the box out to a third party for around for £4,000, which is "strictly prohibited".

The Daily Mail suggests this is "so much more serious" than his personal problems. I'm not sure I agree with that. The email I've seen also suggests further revelations with more women, coming on top of the eight already listed in most papers so far. I was going to keep the email to myself until the box story emerged this morning. But it looks all too accurate.

Poor old Terry. He must have thought he was slipping out of the noose when Stuart Pearce, Capello's closest English ally and the England Under 21 manager, came out on Tuesday saying Terry should keep the captain's armband (available for £4 at the Wembley shop).

But with further revelations now a promise rather than a threat, Capello - a devout Catholic and a disciplinarian nicknamed "Generalissimo" in Italy - decided to act before Sunday's exclusive hits the streets.

And the new captain? Rio Ferdinand. The Manchester United centre-back has been injured for weeks. And he was banned one game into his comeback.

What worries me now Terry is gone is that his successor will get it in the neck from the tabloids, who will remember his lengthy ban for missing a drugs test three years ago. And ultimately it won't just be Terry and Bridge who suffer. It will be England's long-cherished World Cup dream in South Africa.

Terry was the best man for the job. The only one capable of playing under such intense pressure, as he will have to do again when Chelsea play Arsenal on Sunday. Watch this space.

Golden Balls Beckham? Or was the World Cup draw fixed?

EVER the diplomat (well, ever since France 98), David Beckham said after the World Cup draw: "As a country we're just happy to be playing a part in an historic event."

Happy? We're ecstatic! England came out of the hat as planned in Group C, with their carefully planned trips to Rustenburg's Bafokeng Sports Palace complex coming up trumps, surprise, surprise. They've been organising it for months, almost like they knew all along they were going to get drawn to play USA in Rustenburg first.

Then they'll pop down to the coast to play Algeria and Slovenia, keeping their high-altitude conditioning as they were advised by the rugby medics who are accustomed to South African conditions.

Whether every element of the draw was fixed, who knows? Suffice to say, we've got the USA, the highest ranked but not-too-scary side from Pot 2, Algeria, who needed a play-off against Egypt to make it to Pot 3 and, best of all, the weakest team from dangerous Pot 4, Slovenia, who lost all three games in 2002.

Alan Shearer, on the Beeb, said: "I think Fabio Capello will be absolutely delighted. If you'd have said that beforehand, he would have snapped your hand off."

There is already talk of England being moved to a bigger stadium for their game at Port Elizabeth. It's going to be massive! But what about the other 28 nations?

Group D looks a tough one. Serbia, Ghana, Germany and Australia. None of them are pushovers. Michael Essien, Ghana's guiding light, will come up against his Chelsea team-mate, Michael Ballack, the German captain. May the wrestle in peace.

Group A was always South Africa's and when they came out with Mexico and Uruguay, who needed a play-off against Costa Rica (who are as unhappy as Ireland about the way they went out) the hosts were happy enough despite their lowest-ever host ranking of 86th. But then France popped out to finish the group and the battle is on, hopefully with Thierry Henry suspended for his handball against the Irish in Paris last month (sorry to harp on, but it WAS cheating).

Group B puts Argentina just where they want to be, at altitude as they planned when they booked Pretoria University's sports academy this week. Should have put money on that one too. They play twice in Johannesburg and once in Polokwane, no big trips, and they're with Nigeria, South Korea and Greece. Diego Maradona always said the balls were warmed to suit the big nations. It looks that way for the Argies.

Group E sees Holland, Denmark, Japan and Cameroon doing battle with Group F featuring Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand - with all their 'stars' from Plymouth, Halifax and Worksop - plus dangerous Slovakia.

But if it's a group of death you want, try Group G. Brazil were drawn first, North Korea are unknown, but Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal came out next. Ouch. I'm going for Ivory Coast and Portugal - with Brazilian Deco - to survive.

Group H sees Spain, perfect in qualifying, up against Switzerland, Honduras and Chile. If Spain don't make it out of the group, I'll run naked across Soccer City before the final on July 11.

The bookies agree. After the draw they go Spain 4-1, Brazil 11-2, England 13-2, Argentina 10-1.

England could play Germany, then France in the quarters and Brazil in the semi-final. If things go according to plan. They certainly have so far. But then David Beckham's nickname has always been the clue. Golden Balls. They certainly were tonight.

Becks backs Thierry... but there has to be a replay

AT last, somebody has risen up to defend the great Thierry Henry after his "Hand of Gaul" assist for France against Ireland on Wednesday night.

While the rest of the world - and over 194,000 people on Facebook - call for a replay after Ireland's cruel departure from the World Cup in South Africa next year, none other than former England captain David Beckham has seen fit to come out fighting for Thierry.

Despite the obvious intent shown by Henry, pictured left in one of the many viral pictures flying around the web, and his admission of a red card offence in the build-up to William Gallas's decisive goal, England's most-capped outfield player Becks insists: "I know Thierry as a player and a person. He's a good person and a great player. It's a shame to see Ireland go out because they have such great fans. These things happen in football.

"But I honestly didn't think Thierry meant it. I don't think he is a cheat.

"I've had a few headlines in the past which have not been nice. Who knows what I would have done in that situation when you're playing in a qualifier to go through to the World Cup?

"I've been involved in big games and reacted to certain things and looked back and thought I was wrong to do that."

Beckham also admits he turned down a return to the Premier League in his interview with Sky Sports. But it is the Henry verdict which will inflame opinions on a day when Shay Given has come out complaining: "We feel cheated by both Henry and the officials. It's disgusting."

And Sunderland chairman and former Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn described the goal as "the biggest injustice I have ever seen in sport".

Quinn added: "People talk about Maradona's Hand of God goal but I'd say Henry's handball was the biggest injustice I've ever seen in sport. Maybe I feel it more because I'm Irish.

"All that I believe in and all that I love about sport was shattered when I saw something like that. It's possibly the lowest I've felt at any sporting moment in my life."

Strong stuff, Thing is, FIFA remain unmoved by the calls for a replay, just as I predicted 24 hours ago. And whatever Beckham feels, that's wrong. The people have spoken, play it again Sepp. Let's all email FIFA, bombard the French FA, do what it takes despite their 10.15am announcement today that it CANNOT be replayed. There is a point to be made. There are precedents. Cheats, my mother told me, never prosper.