Penalty Kick on Apartheid

While coming to South Africa, I read about the South African system of apartheid. Apartheid was racial segregation. Apartheid was created by the Afrikaner National Party as a way to control South Africa's economic and social system. Apartheid laws were enacted in 1948. The 1950 Population Registration Act required all South Africans be classified into one of three categories: white, black (African), or colored (of mixed descent). It was based on appearance, social acceptance and descent. All blacks were required to carry a "pass book" with fingerprints, photos and other information. During the grim days of apartheid, soccer brought joy to the South African people.

Because of the apartheid, South Africa was suspended from the Fifa World Cup for many years. They were first banned in 1959 and did not return until 1992. In 1957, Freddie Fell, the president of the Football Association of South Africa, and his colleagues were found guilty of violating anti-discrimination laws. They refused to send a mixed racial team to the African Cup of Nationals tournament in Sudan. For thirty years, South Africa was isolated from World Soccer.

Apartheid was stopped by Nelson Mandela in 1994. Still, many citizens live in misery and poverty. Discrimination is still happening. However, South Africa has changed and apartheid will never return. I am glad that the Netherlands does not classify their citizens by race. I hope that having the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa, it will bring more economic benefits and awareness to the conditions in South Africa.

Future Plans for the Netherlands

Hello, I am a team member from the Netherlands soccer team participating in the FIFA world cup 2010. Our travel plans to reach South Africa are by plane. Once we get to South Africa we will check into our hotel and then start to practice for our big game. We are working hard every day and our accommodations may not be like it is at home, but we are expecting to be treated fairly well. We will have some fans there along with other teams whom we will meet on the field ready to give them our all. We are expecting our biggest fans to show and cheer us on so that we have a sense of "home" with us as we play our games.
Our first game will be against Denmark. They have had three appearances when we have had 8. It seems as if it will be a very good game and we plan on defeating them and continue on to the next round. After that game, we will be playing against Japan. They have had three appearances similar to Denmark and we are expecting a great game against them. Neither of the two teams, Denmark or Japan, have received a title. We have not either but we plan on changing that this year.We are making sure to keep good attitudes along with good sportsmanship and no matter what the end result is of the game, we will walk off the field with some type of feeling of achievement whether we win or loose. If we win, we will be over joyed with excitement and continue to train hard, yet if we loose, we will be sad yet we will know that we tried our best and will start working hard and training for our next season where we will be even better.

In the Eyes of the Players

I, as a player of the Netherlands soccer team going to the World Cup, feel a tremendous amount of pressure. Pressure from my coaches, my team mates, but also the people of the country. Though we have the greatest soccer fans anyone could ask for, what with following us around and coming to all of our games, there are big expectations and hopes of how well we will do at the World Cup and no one on this team wants to let anyone down. And we play hard to ensure that we will be the best we can be. As far as competition, the team feels confident in how well we've been playing and working together. But from the 30 players that have been named as part of the preliminary squad for the 2010 FIFA World cup, 23 are going to be chosen for the final squad that will play. There is a little competition between us team mates, to be one of the 23 chosen players, but overall we are sticking together as a team and supporting each other no matter who moves on to the final playing squad. It's about how well play as a team, not the performance by individuals. I am going to try my best, and so is the team, and we know that our fans and coaches will be by our side whether we win or not. But in our minds, we already have won just by getting to play in the World Cup. Go Netherlands!

ORANGE FOR THE WIN

For the World Cup in 2010, the Netherlands are a team not to mess with. Their attacking lineups are superior, and the 'total football' style of play present an awesome tactical side to the team. The many strengths for the Netherlands include the star players, such as Arjen Robben, who is can get through almost any defense, or Robin van Persie, who was injured most of the year but otherwise is an awesome attacker. Wesley Sneijder has a reputation to be a goal scoring midfielder, for the Amsterdam Club he made 43 goals in 126 games. In the European Cup in 2008, Wesley was named in the Team of the Tournament. Also, Arjen Robben, a midfielder, is able to defeat any defense. Robben made 4 assists and 1 goal in qualifying, which makes him a shoe-in for a spot on the Netherlands team. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, a fearsome striker for the Netherlands, he is also very good in air, he was named top scorer in the 2006 UEFA Under - 21 Division. Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong, who are defensive midfielders also help the team as well. The whole team is determined to win the Cup, after being beaten by Germany in 1974 and Argentina in 1978. According to SPI, the Netherlands has the sixth best attack but a the third best defense. The discipline that is obviously practiced by the whole team is sure to help them out in the future. The Orange team is going to be a huge power team for the World Cup.