Predictions for the Group Stages

Loretta:

England comes in first for Group C and plays Ghana, Australia or Serbia in the Last 16 round. They take on France, Uruguay or perhaps, South Africa in the Quarter Finals. Without any chance of meeting Brazil, Italy or Spain till the Quarter Finals, England looks set to qualify for the semi-finals, one match away from ending a 44-year dry spell.

Spanish hotshot Fernando Torres will be gunning for more glory at the World Cup

On the other side, Spain (above) has been a favourite this year despite the likelihood of facing the Group of Death’s runner-up, before meeting Italy, possibly, or the Netherlands, to qualify for the semi-finals.

Statistically*, there is a 17.1 percent chance of Finals: Spain Vs. England
*Statistics from Castrol Predictor

Sharyl:

For the FIFA World Cup 2010, as with the other World Cups I have watched, I am torn as to which team I pledge my footballing allegiance to.

Traditionally I have been a fan of South American football where they truly play the Beautiful Game, as with the Italian team having written the book on defending, or as they call it, the catenaccio.

Nevertheless, I always have a soft spot for perennial underachievers the Netherlands (sometimes known as Holland in these parts). This year, they have assembled a very strong squad, and are in red-hot form, peaking nicely for the tournament. So I will go with Holland as my favourite team, and the one to win this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Loretta:

Beckham, Nani, Ferdinand, Drogba. The list of injured key players in 2010’s World Cup seems to keep growing, alongside uncertainty and possible surprises.

North Korea scores against Brazil

Legend has it that the underdogs in the Group of Death experience unexpected success while the bigger boys are caught off guard. In ‘94, Italy, led by the legendary Roberto Baggio, failed to get the better of a combative Republic of Ireland side during the group stages.  And in Italia 1990, then World Champions Argentina -- captained by Diego Maradona -- were beaten by a solitary goal by African side Cameroon.

I predict that the spritely young North Koreans (average age 24.7) will outrun and outlast the Brazilians (average age 28.6) on 15 June. Jong Tae-Se, dubbed the Asian Rooney, is confident that his team can pull it off. With the legend of the Group of Death, the number of people who disagree adds to their chances.

Sharyl:

In 2002, the Korean Republic stunned the footballing world by reaching the semi-finals of the tournament. Asian teams have always been viewed as underdogs, thus, my bet is on the Korean Republic to cause several upsets in this tournament. Also, watch out for rising star, Lee Chung-Yong, having won a triumvirate of awards at his club Bolton Wanderers, including Bolton Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year, and best newcomer awards.

More Fun Off-The-Pitch

Loretta:

The Best Official World Cup Song in History

Gianna Nannini and Edoardo Bennato - Un'estate italiana

Despite my first memory of a World Cup song being Ricky Martin’s Cup of Life in 1998 -- which was a deservingly successful anthem -- Un’estate Italiana from FIFA World Cup 1990 is immediately familiar, whether for its nostalgic feel or my 2-year-old self’s subconscious memory.  Rousing, hair-raising and universal, this powerful piece of Italian rock is synonymous with the beautiful game.

Unofficial World Cup Anthems

1 Goal --> Watch the video on YouTube

The song has been circulated on the internet. Letters have been written to FIFA. Questions have been raised: why is this not the official World Cup song? DeStorm Power’s One Goal is a serious football fever-fuelling tune and tops the list of Best Unofficial Anthem.

Wavin’ Flag --> Watch the video on YouTube

While Shakira’s Waka Waka is the official World Cup song for 2010, K’Naan’s Wavin’ Flag --  not entirely unofficial as Coca-Cola’s World Cup anthem -- has stormed its way into the limelight with its freedom-fighting lyrics and crowd-rousing chorus; a unifying anthem perfect for any global citizen.

The World Cup’s Waiting for You --> Watch the video on YouTube

This unofficial English anthem is causing quite a stir on the internet. It really is about having a whole lot of fun; the lighter side of football is described by means of beer, bars and your everyday football fan’s perspective.

Sharyl:

At every tournament, a song would be commissioned by FIFA to be the official song of the FIFA World Cup. But one very infectious ditty does come to mind, that is Ricky Martin’s La Copa De La Vida, or The Cup Of Life. The official song for the 1998 FIFA World Cup was a massive hit, and is still one of the most memorable songs of the World Cup.

Off the official records however, lies a plethora of anthems that never made it to FIFA’s desks. Be it that they are too parochial, or just plain bad, nevertheless, there are some golden nuggets of audio candy.

For example, the official anthem of the French football team during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Tous Ensemble, sung by Johnny Hallyday (above), is a great rallying cry and a great song in general. Another favourite, which technically might not even qualify as a song, can be heard loud in the stands during the 2002 World Cup. The Korean fans, cheering their players on would sing “Oh Korea, oh oh oh Korea” and it is one of the more memorable chants I have heard.

Is your throat getting dry and your voice hoarse after all that shouting? Stay tuned tuned next as the Kopi Kakis introduce you to six specially made beverages that will keep you alive and kicking during this World Cup season!

With her first clear memory of the world cup as recent as 1998 when she was just 10, Loretta has eagerly awaited every FIFA World Cup since. While she still shudders at the recollection of 2006’s England-Portugal Quarter Final, the (relatively) long-term supporter hopes, prays and imagines only good things for both her teams.

Blessed with Wayne Rooney’s looks, and with the piercing gaze ala Pierluigi Collina, Sharyl Lidzhan first experienced football during the FIFA World Cup in 1986, Sharyl’s passion for football was cemented during the 1988 European Championships . He still remembers the countless hours spent on the football pitch trying to emulate Marco Van Basten’s wonder goal against the Soviet Union during that tournament.