Europe dominates the semifinals

At the end of the round of 16 matches at the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup, journalists were writing columns about the re-emergence of South American soccer, with only one of its five contestants failing to qualify for the quarterfinal. Europe was in dire straits, with only three of the 13 countries qualifying for the quarterfinals. But the tables were turned in spectacular fashion at this stage of the tournament.

Brazil was smashed by Netherlands in a famous come-from-behind victory.

The Germans ambushed Argentina in its outrageous 4-0 victory. In fact, if it were not for the infamous "Hand of God" incident (some call it the "Hand of the Devil")  where Luis Suárez defended a goal-bound ball with his hand, Uruguay might also have returned home and Ghana would have become the first country from Africa to progress to the semifinals.

Three European teams – Spain, Netherlands and Germany – feature in the semifinals.

Why did the Latin Americans fail?

Why did Diego Maradona’s team, Argentina, and that of sacked Brazilian coach, Dunga, fail to advance?

In Dunga’s case, a lack of emotional intelligence may have featured. The Brazilian coach repeatedly fulminated against the match officials during the game against Netherlands, instead of applying cool-headed focus aimed at strengthening the increasingly ragged defence of his team.

Another factor that influenced the outcome of that match was that Brazil simply did not have a creative midfielder and play-maker to get the best out of Kaká.

The same problem undermined the effectiveness of Lionel Messi of Argentina.

Maradona opted not to play Juan Sebastián Verón, the one man who could have given the dangerous Messi and Argentina more ball retention and depth of passing.

Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger controlled the midfield, doing what Veron might have done for Argentina.

It is exactly this factor – pinpoint-passing combined with magnificent structured defensive capabilities – that contributed to the German offensive superiority.

“Argentina is a team divided between the defence and the attack. That was the key to be able to control the midfield and from there build our victory,” said Joachim Loew, coach of the German team.

A creative passer who could unlock the creative genius of Messi and Kaká was lacking for Argentina and Brazil.

Sapa-AFP commented that the serial trophy winner for Barcelona, Messi, fell victim to Maradona’s desire to cram as many attacking players into his team as possible, leaving Messi isolated as the only creative player in central areas.

With no other skilled passers in the team, Messi was forced to drop deeper and deeper in search of the ball.

He frequently assumed possession well inside his own half and when he turned, he was confronted by a wall of German players. Messi graced the tournament with his daring dribbling and incisive passing, but despite 30 shots at goal, he failed to score.

Stars fail to shine

Wayne Rooney of England was likewise expected to launch a strong challenge for the Golden Boot, having scored a career-best tally of 34 goals for Manchester United last season. Like Messi, though, he was hamstrung by a restrictive formation.

United coach Sir Alex Ferguson dismissed suggestions that Rooney was still hampered by an ankle injury that flared up toward the end of last season. "There is nothing wrong with the lad or his fitness," Ferguson said.

One player undoubtedly bedevilled by injury was Kaká who, like Messi and Rooney, could not score any World Cup goals. The Real Madrid star arrived at the tournament after a season regularly punctuated by knocks and niggles, and Brazil fitness coach José Luiz Runco conceded that he was not in top condition.

"Maybe in other situations, Kaká would not have even played the World Cup, but he really wanted to be there," said Runco as Brazil returned home.

Kaká's clubmate Cristiano Ronaldo, by contrast, enjoyed a stellar debut campaign at the Santiago Bernabéu, netting 33 goals despite the pressure of having to justify his world record €94-million price tag.

But he drifted through the World Cup, scoring only once – in Portugal's 7-0 demolition of North Korea – and going absent without leave during the team's last-16 exit at the hands of Spain.

The truth is that even the greatest soccer genius in the world, Messi, cannot function at his mercurial best in a team environment if his coach has a Plan A, but cuts a forlorn figure when that Plan is thwarted.

These sentiments are also true of Rooney, Ronaldo and, to a certain degree Kaká.

New German hero

Germany, in contrast, used the passing skills of its remarkable midfielders superbly well to unravel the defences, and to put Miroslav Klose in possession. He may be a lesser marksman than Ronaldo, Messi, Kaká or Rooney, but on football’s largest stage, international fans would have fonder memories of Klose than any of the other four.

Klose chose his 100th appearance for Germany, during the quarterfinal against Argentina, to claim his 13th and 14th goals at World Cup tournaments. This is the same tally as compatriot Gerd Müller, and one less than the all-time record held by Brazilian, Ronaldo.

David Villa of Spain has also been on a hot scoring spree for his country during the World Cup. He has shown why Barcelona bought him from Valencia, where he had averaged 25 goals a season over the past five seasons in La Liga.

The 28-year old suffered along with Fernando Torres in the shock opening loss to Switzerland, reported Sapa-AFP.

But since then, he has been a Spanish sensation. He saved Spain in the round of 16 against Portugal, and then against Paraguay with his late goal in the quarterfinal.

Villa’s next challenge would be to score his 44th goal in only his 64th international, on Wednesday in the semifinal against Germany.

It will not be easy, though, because of the way in which defenders have surrounded and unnerved other notable marksman of the highest class. Simply ask a certain Lionel Messi!

Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs said that more than one million visitors entered South Africa between 1 June and 1 July – 25% more than the same period in 2009.

The department says its Movement Control System recorded 1 020 321 tourists in the month coinciding with the World Cup – up from 819 495 a year ago, reported Sapa-AP

Home Affairs says it expects the number to rise further as the tournament reaches the semifinals and final.

The highest number of visitors was from neighbouring southern African countries followed by the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Australia, Brazil and Mexico.