Bafana win big, Parreira not amused

In fact, Parreira says he did not think the side even played that well, despite this being the highest margin of victory in the 254-game history of the side, beating off a pair of 4-0 wins over Chad in 2007 and Thailand last month.

But the wily old campaigner, now into his fifth decade of coaching at the highest level, is trying desperately to keep his players' feet on the ground and ward off a sense of complacency that may be creeping into the squad as their June 11 date with Mexico in the 2010 FIFA World Cup opener draws nearer.

Indeed, the side are on an 11-game unbeaten run and although it is fair to say that the opposition has not been of the highest standard, you can only play what is put on front of you, and with confidence on the up, Parreira feels complacency is just around the corner.

Still some reservations

"Technically we were not that good, the best game we played so far was against Bulgaria (a 1-1 draw on May 24)," Parreira said. "But I like the attitude of the team. They created chances and the commitment was very good. This time we overcame a team who often had 10 men behind the ball and the players are feeling now that the moment is coming."

Parreira has now broken the hearts of five of his players as he cut the squad from 28 to the required 23 for the World Cup finals. It is a moment every coach dreads, but he promised he would look the players in the eye and deliver the bad news himself.

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac may have wished he had chickened out after he was almost physically assaulted by midfielder Laryea Kingston on Sunday after telling him he would not be on the plane to South Africa.

There were almost certainly no chants of 'USA! USA! USA!' in International Arrivals as the Americans touched down at OR Tambo International on Monday, the latest side to arrive for the finals.

The Yanks will be bringing with them the largest number of fans for the tournament (and probably the largest fans as well), but it should be noted though that the vast majority of those will be supporting other nations, with the estimated figure of around 114 000 visitors from the States being made up of minorities who will be following the likes of Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and various European sides.

Not playing ball

Finally, adidas were forced to defend their balls on Monday amidst massive criticism from players across the globe. The sportswear giant has been tasked with producing the official match ball for the FIFA World Cup since 1970, but their latest offering has gone down like the proverbial lead balloon.

In fact, their 'Jabulani' creation for 2010 has been likened to a beach ball, or a plastic 'supermarket' ball that you give to a five-year-old. One player even called it 'supernatural', whatever that means.
The main concern appears to be that it is erratic in the way it swerves through the air, and it is not just goalkeepers who are concerned, strikers are having a hard time too.

But the company have defended their honour and spokesman Thomas van Schaik says they are surprised at the timing of criticism, given that most of the players have been using the ball for six months.

"We started using it in December in a wide variety of leagues," Schaik told The Associated Press. "All the response we have had has been positive.

"On top of that, we have distributed it to all the finalists so that they have been able to get used to the ball. Apparently they have not taken advantage of that if we are only hearing this criticism now. I am quite surprised in these circumstances."