Today's Portugal v North Korea clash inevitably ignites memories of that crazy quarter-final in 1966 when lightning almost struck twice. The North Koreans, leaving their closed country for the first time, had found a home away from home in Middlesbrough, especially after their unexpected 1-0 win over the fancied Italians. Asian soccer had been unleashed on a world unprepared for it, and the wow factor only increased after they ran into a 3-0 first-half lead against probably the most talented team in the tournament, Portugal. Fans like my father who were at Wembley to watch England play Argentina, could not believe their eyes as the updates from the other quarter-final at Goodison Park showed the minnows were tearing apart one of the tournament favourites. Alas for the hysterical neutrals, the Koreans' cavalier attacking style was outsmarted in the second half by a more wily team with an almost unplayable ace in Eusebio, who bagged four goals in a stunning comeback to send Portugal through 5-3 . The clash of soccer cultures and playing styles that day in Liverpool was the epitome of what the World Cup is about on the field. Would that today's reunion of the nations in Cape Town were as thrilling as that unforgettable match 44 years ago. (c) Sean O'Conor & Soccerphile Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football

Luxury Cape Town villa available for World Cup accommodation. Only 20 minutes drive on the highway to Green Point Stadium and 30 minutes from Cape Town airport. This opulent villa sleeps 8 people in 4 double bedrooms with three bathrooms. Located in Constantia wine growing area close to all amenities, shops, restaurants and walking distance to the best pub in Cape Town! Fully equipped with satellite TV, four linked TVs, broadband/wifi and all domestic appliances for the perfect World Cup base. Resident maid service and breakfast included. The property would suit either a commercial or a private group looking for a Cape Town base for the entire World Cup month. Cost R 8,000 per day Tags © Soccerphile.com Soccer Accommodation World Cup football

Fancourt Residential , home to the Japanese soccer team for the 2010 World Cup. 3 golf courses. See www.fancourt.co.za for further details of the resort in George. This house is between 2 fairways

If Japan coach Takeshi Okada wanted a tough run out for his players at the fourth East Asian championships in Tokyo, he's got it. As the jeers rained down on the Samurai Blue from all quarters of Ajinomoto Stadium following their scoreless draw with China last Saturday, Okada could have been forgiven for cracking a wry smile. Japan's friendly schedule in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup finals has been blasted by those who claim that a lack of genuinely competitive fixtures continues to hamper the national team. However, there's no lack of competition at the four-team East Asian championships - although the hosts will be expected to hammer Hong Kong at the National Stadium on Thursday. Shorn of their overseas stars - coach Okada selected an entirely local-based squad for the tournament - last weekend Japan found themselves unable to breach Yang Zhi's goal in front of a partisan Tokyo crowd. Things would have been even worse had veteran goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki not saved Yang Hao's weak penalty attempt with eight minutes remaining. The 0-0 stalemate was the second in a matter of days, after Japan turned in an insipid display in a scoreless draw with Venezuela in friendly in Oita on February 2. Now the Samurai Blue turn their attentions to a Hong Kong side that was thrashed 5-0 by Korea Republic in their opening match, with coach Okada no doubt hoping that his strikers can rediscover their goal scoring form against the South-East Asian minnows. Despite claiming that his team are capable of reaching the semi-finals in South Africa, Okada remains a largely unloved figure in his home country. His blustering predictions belie frustratingly cautious tactics that have left fans despairing for a consistent goal scorer who can finish off Japan's often intricate build-up play. Unless Okada unveils a regular goal scorer, Japan could be on the first plane home from South Africa rather than troubling the big guns in the knock-out stage. The clash with Hong Kong represents the first step in rehabilitating Okada's fading image, however a much tougher test awaits. On Sunday the hosts meet arch-rivals Korea Republic in a Valentine's Day blockbuster, and more catcalls await should Japan fail to win - and win convincingly - against their bitter East Asian foes. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Soccer News football

Soweto , near Johannesburg, is a heartland of South African soccer and has produced many of South Africa's best players. Tags Soccer News Soweto

In another tense evening of World Cup qualifiers across the globe, Switzerland and Slovakia qualified from the European zone for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Switzerland played out a nervous 0-0 home draw with 10-man Israel and Slovakia held on for a 1-0 win in Poland. Portugal, Greece, Slovenia and Ukraine took the remaining play off spots. England won 3-0 in their last qualifying match against Belarus in Group 6 with Peter Crouch scoring two. Elsewhere in the the European qualifying zone Italy beat Cyprus 3-2, the Republic of Ireland drew 0-0 with Montenegro at Croke Park. France beat Austria 3-1, Germany drew 1-1 with Finland and Sweden beat Albania 4-1, but miss out on the finals in South Africa.

Looking more like a ward of hospital patients than a squad of professional footballers, Japan arrived in Melbourne with seemingly one goal in mind. Forget the three qualifying points on offer from their World Cup qualifier against the Socceroos, Takeshi Okada’s men appeared more determined to avoid contracting swine flu as they disembarked in the sporting capital of Australia. It was surgical masks all around at Tullamarine Airport, with the Japanese leaving nothing to chance in a city that has been beset by an outbreak of the highly contagious H1N1 virus. The disease is not Takeshi Okada’s only concern, with Japan forced to leave Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura at home due to a groin strain.

Looking more like a ward of hospital patients than a squad of professional footballers, Japan arrived in Melbourne with seemingly one goal in mind. Forget the three qualifying points on offer from their World Cup qualifier against the Socceroos, Takeshi Okada’s men appeared more determined to avoid contracting swine flu as they disembarked in the sporting capital of Australia. It was surgical masks all around at Tullamarine Airport, with the Japanese leaving nothing to chance in a city that has been beset by an outbreak of the highly contagious H1N1 virus. The disease is not Takeshi Okada’s only concern, with Japan forced to leave Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura at home due to a groin strain.

For South Korea, the 2010 World Cup qualification campaign is almost over and first place in the group guaranteed. There is still one act to be played out however and it promises to be an intriguing one. The final game takes place on Wednesday. South Korea have bagged the first of two automatic qualification spots which leaves one up for grabs. There are three teams that would very much like to take that second slot, third place is not the end of the world as it offers a play-off route to South Africa. Fourth equals nothing. The Taeguk Warriors will have a big say in just who gets what. At the moment, North Korea is in second with eleven points, above Saudi Arabia on goal difference while Iran is in fourth and just a point behind. But it really is anybody’s place. North Korea travels to Saudi Arabia for the last match while Iran comes to Seoul led by Afshin Ghotbi, a former assistant coach of the South Korean national team.

Japan will send an understrength squad to Melbourne to face Australia on June 17, with Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura not making the trip as he nurses a groin injury. Nakamura is joined on the sidelines by influential Gamba Osaka playmaker Yasuhito Endo, while VfL Wolfsburg representatives Makoto Hasebe and Yoshito Okubo have also pulled out, as has in-form VVV Venlo midfielder Keisuke Honda. Despite the long absentee list, Japan coach Takeshi Okada remains confident that his side can inflict Australia's first defeat of the campaign in front of an anticipated crowd of more than 80,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.