The FIFA World Cup Report #1/Sports Thread #3 For 6/15/10: " We Are Called The Democratic People's Republic of Korea"

Photo from Getty Images' Alex Livesey

Remember when I told you there was more to come today on Raymond Domenech? Well, here you go !

But then Le Parisien reported that Malouda had disagreed with Domenech's pregame plan to pick him at left midfield in a 4-3-3 formation. "You shouldn't be asking me to stay back and defend; my strength is further up the pitch," Malouda reportedly said, pointing to the 15 goals he scored in Chelsea's League and Cup-winning season. On the night before the game, Malouda was overaggressive in tackling his teammates in training, but by then, he had already talked himself out of the lineup.

Last month, Domenech had told a press conference, "If anyone steps out of line, I will get my gun out." His warning had not been heeded, and Malouda paid the price. While much of the debate in France focused on Domenech's team selection, Malouda has also come in for a lot of stick.

And we actually have a Domenech defender here!

"The last thing you want is a player asking to play somewhere else. It should be about what's best for the team," Willy Sagnol, who was part of France's second-place team at the 2006 World Cup, told Canal Plus. He added that Germany's Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller play different roles for their clubs and their national team, but you don't hear them complaining.

Well Willy, Lukas and Thomas don't complain, because, you know.......... their coach isn't incompetent!!!

They also don't complain Willy because they still are in offensive positions. In fact Podolski is given even more "keys to the car" in the national team than with Cologne thanks to be able to roam whenever and wherever he wants with better players around him. And most importantly for Podolski, the fact that he is wearing a German national team shirt in a major tournament.

How anybody wants to blame Malouda here where Domenech's incompetence is at a level of all time greatness is beyond me, but whatever.

Katlego Mphela talks ahead of what will be a massive day tomorrow for South Africa:

When Benni McCarthy, the country’s top goalscorer was axed by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira before the FIFA World Cup, the whole nation went into shock, but in Mphela the Brazilian coach knew he had a man capable of filling the West Ham United striker’s sizeable boots. It is a challenge Mphela has welcomed. "I can never be Benni. He has achieved so much, he has won the Champions League, and for a while, he was one of the best strikers in England. Of course I have learned a lot from him, but I want to establish myself in this national team and this World Cup is a perfect opportunity for me," Mphela told FIFA.

A Chilean legend talks about his country's chances ahead of their 1st match tomorrow against Honduras .

FIFA.com: Ivan, what are you expecting from this Chile team?
Ivan Zamorano: The same as everyone else in Chile: a lot. We’ve got a great team - never better in my opinion - a great coach who has stamped his philosophy on the side, and the complete commitment of the players. You can see all that out on the pitch. They’ve been playing well and getting good results and I’ve never been more certain that we can have a great World Cup.

And ahead of their match in a little while, get what North Korea's manager Kim Jong Hun said to the press :

Those lovable North Koreans.

Your FIFA World Cup Report.