John Terry's extraordinary u-turn puts England back on course before Slovenia showdown

John Terry has made a remarkable u-turn after Sunday’s shocking press conference which threatened to blow the England camp wide open.

Terry, who spoke of being denied a beer after his side’s appalling 0-0 draw against Algeria on Friday, has come under pressure from colleagues and fans for what he calls his “attempt at honesty”.

Stripped of the captaincy over a relationship with former team-mate Wayne Bridge’s partner just three months ago, Terry attempted to raise his concerns over selection and morale at Sunday night’s emergency team meeting.

But on finding he had little support from his fellow senior professionals, yesterday he saw fit to confide in the Daily Mail’s Matt Lawton in a last-ditch effort to defuse tension before tomorrow’s win-or-bust clash against Slovenia in Port Elizabeth.

Terry insists: “It was never my intention to upset the manager or the players. If I did, I apologise. I just wanted to be honest. I was asked a question about Joe Cole and I went too far.”

Like many others, Terry believes his Chelsea team-mate Cole should start on the left of midfield. But after telling the world only Wayne Rooney and Cole were capable of cutting open defences, Capello blasted his former captain yesterday for speaking out.

Terry added: “I have told the manager he has my total support and I would like to stress that I don’t believe I have been a disruptive influence in the camp.

“I would now like to put this episode behind me and concentrate on trying to win what is a massive game for England. All I was trying to do was to say how important it is to me to try to win the World Cup.”

Terry’s volte face is remarkable. On Sunday it appeared he was ready to lead a France-style player revolt, along the lines of the Bobby Robson mutiny at Italia 90. But yesterday he told Lawton: “I just hope people at least appreciate that I have taken the time to call you and have asked you to report what I have to say in response.”

Neal Collins is in South Africa to complain about England's performance and promote his first novel A GAME APART. See www.nealcollins.co.uk.

To see Neal at the National Arts Festival on July 4, go to http://www.computicket.com/web/event/neal_collins_a_game_apart/148367625.

Spain get their World Cup campaign back on track... and here's the full list of predicted qualifiers

Spain got their World Cup campaign back on track with a one-sided romp over Honduras as round two came to a conclusion at Ellis Park last night.

But despite Barcelona’s new signing David Villa scoring twice and missing a penalty in a 2-0 win for the holders, you can’t help thinking the European super-powers lack the flair and panache of the Latin Americans in South Africa right now.

They don’t set the pulses racing like Argentina and Brazil have done so far. Or is it just me?

Given their shocking 1-0 defeat against Switzerland in their opening Group H encounter, the win was what matters for the world’s second-best ranked side though. And Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas certainly sparkled when he came on. Liverpool’s Fernando Torres has lost his blond locks... and some of his elan from the looks of this one.

The other Group H clash saw Chile edge past Switzerland 1-0 after West Ham’s Valon Behrami had been sent off - but only after the Swiss had surpassed the all-time World Cup finals record of 551 minutes without conceding a goal.

Mark Gonzalez, born in Durban to Chilean international Raul who played here in the 1980s, headed the only goal to all but ensure another Latin American side go through. He said: “I didn’t have a sniff of goal in all our warm-up matches, but it’s fallen to me to score at the tournament itself, which is unbelievable. We’re close to going through to the next round. We needed bags of patience.”

Group H could now finish with three teams on six points, but Chile and Spain are favourites to go through, in that order.

Portugal became the first European side to look seriously impressive since Germany stuffed Australia 4-0 on day three.

Their 7-0 thrashing of North Korea in Cape Town certainly got South Africa on their feet. There are over a million Portuguese in the Rainbow Nation, and they were loving it at the Rosebank Mall’s two huge screens near Johannesburg.

Just 1-0 up at half-time through Raul Meirelese, Simao got the first of half-a-dozen in the second half, with Simao, Hugo Almeida, Tiago and Liedson adding their contribution before Real Madrid’s iconic Cristiano Ronaldo finally got one. Then Tiago added the seventh heaven bit.

Almeida crowed afterwards: “It was a perfect day. We’re celebrating and it gives us a confidence boost ahead of the Brazil game (in Durban on Friday). It meant a lot to me to score my first goal at a World Cup; it’s a fantastic feeling.”

Brazil and Portugal will go through from Group G, which is largely what we expected from the sides ranked first and third in the world by FIFA.

In Group F, Paraguay and Italy are the likely qualifiers can’t see New Zealand doing it, Holland will be joined by Japan or possibly Denmark in Group E and I’m hoping Ghana will keep the African flag flying in Group D, where Serbia and Germany are also in contention.

Group C is the hardest to predict, with England and the US needing wins against Slovenia and Algeria to progress on Wednesday, while Group B sees Argentina already through, with Greece or South Korea, though pointless Nigeria have a mathematical chance.

Group A resumes tomorrow with Mexico and Uruguay just needing to play out a draw to deny self-destructing France and the hosts South Africa.

In all we saw 41 goals scored in the 16 second round games – that’s a big improvement on the all-time low of 25 scored first time around. The final group games should produce goals galore. We shall see. One thing’s for sure, the referees and their red cards are the current talking point.

The other? Latin American dominance – the CONMEBOL region boasts three of the four sides with maximum points, Argentina, Brazil and Chile, with Europe’s sole six-pointers Holland looking a long way short of perfection.

Neal Collins is in South Africa to complain about England's performance and promote his first novel A GAME APART. See www.nealcollins.co.uk.

To see Neal at the National Arts Festival on July 4, go to http://www.computicket.com/web/event/neal_collins_a_game_apart/148367625.

Capello opts for Upson and slams Terry as tensions rise before Slovenia showdown

England coach Fabio Capello has bowed to the pressure and agreed to name his side early before the must-win World Cup clash with Slovenia on Wednesday – and he has already confirmed West Ham’s Matthew Upson will replace Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher at centre-back.

Capello has also slammed former captain John Terry for his comments at a press conference on Sunday. The Generalissimo, reasserting his authority in an increasingly tense camp, said: "When you speak, you have to speak privately. This is a big mistake - you have to speak with me and the players."

With Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand ruled out just before the tournament and Tottenham’s Ledley King injured in the opening Group C clash against the USA, Capello has little choice other than Spurs Michael Dawson, who arrived as a late replacement for Ferdinand.

Carragher, who reversed his international retirement to be here, was booked after coming on during the 1-1 draw against the US and picked up a second booking in the awful 0-0 draw against Algeria in Cape Town on Friday.

His suspension left Capello confirming: "Upson will play because he always played with John Terry and I probably will change some others."

Capello has come under pressure from the media and players – notably former captain Terry – over his decision not to name his side until two hours before kick-off in South Africa. Curiously though, the Daily Mail found out 24 hours before the Algeria game that Portsmouth veteran David “Calamity” James was to take over from West Ham’s Robert “Phokeng” Green in goal.

That suggests the players have always known the team some time before kick-off – and it was just a matter of plugging the leaks.

Capello, who has been unusually animated on the sideline throughout, could be seen to have bowed to the pressure after Terry spoke of “arguments” in the camp on Sunday. The Italian has also spoken of the “pressures” of this World Cup, and fears he has “wasted two years” of preparation.

Capello’s mood won’t be helped by former England full-back Paul Parker coming out in support of Dawson rather than Upson, who struggled with the Hammers in the relegation fight last season. Parker said: "God knows why Dawson wasn't in the original squad - but he should replace Carra against Slovenia without a shadow of doubt.

"Michael Dawson was playing well for his club at the end of the season yet he picked (Matthew) Upson, who just hasn't been playing well."

Critics are also calling for the end of Frank Lampard’s ragged World Cup campaign. Though he scores 20 goals a season for Chelsea, he struggles to make an impact next to Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard for the Three Lions. Others argue Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry, rushed back into the side after injury, is still not 100 percent.

Alternatives include James Milner, give just 32 minutes to prove his worth against the US, Michael Carrick, the Manchester United central midfielder who likes to sit deep and spray it around, or Chelsea’s Joe Cole, curiously over-looked on the left throughout this tournament.

Neal Collins is in South Africa to promote his first novel A GAME APART. For more details see www.nealcollins.co.uk .

He is also appearing at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown next month. For tickets, see http://www.computicket.com/web/event/neal_collins_a_game_apart/148367625

England on the verge of "doing a France" as Capello admits: "We've wasted two years"

England stand on the verge of “doing a France” as they prepare for their must-win final Group C clash against Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

With Fabio Capello claiming he’s “wasted two years” and former captain John Terry revealing tensions in the camp, all is far from serene as the side depart their Bafokeng base for the windy city.

After the appalling 0-0 draw against Algeria in Cape Town on Friday, Capello is clearly attempting to distance himself from the way his side has played so far. An error-strewn 1-1 draw with the USA in the opening game was little better and, like France who boycotted training yesterday, there are reports of serious divisions inside England's purpose-built Royal Marang hotel in Phokeng.

Capello, the all-conquering Generalissimo during an impressive qualifying campaign, admits: "Training is very good so I can’t understand why we have been playing like this. It feels a little bit like the last two years have been a waste of time. I don't know why or how we arrived at this point.

"You work hard for 20 days, do all the preparation but on the pitch, it’s completely different. I am unhappy. During the match I was thinking about pressure, the fear that stops the legs, stops the mind, stops everything.

"I was a player and I know this pressure. But we still have one last chance to go forward.

"Why don't they transfer their training form on to the pitch? We were really, really slow and if you don't run at this World Cup, if you don't fight, it becomes very difficult. Now I’m hoping for a reaction from the players.”

But the only reaction Capello is getting appears to be a backlash against John Terry, the man he stripped of the captaincy for his off-field affairs three months ago.

Some of the squad have expressed their dismay at the Chelsea skipper after he told a press conference the senior players are set to challenge Capello’s authority.

Amid calls to reinstate Terry as captain, the 29-year-old said: "If we can’t be honest there’s no point in us being here. If we have an argument with the manager and it upsets him or any other player, so what?”

The FA have moved to defuse reported rifts in the camp but Terry appeared to suggest there are serious tensions, adding: "Everyone needs to get it off his chest and say exactly how we feel. As a group of experienced players, we owe it to ourselves and our country and our manager."

Terry named Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard as he talked. Both players are said to be angry, claiming their former captain had been “talking out of school".

While France dominate the front and back pages over their revolt over the weekend, England appear to be in little better shape, with Slovakia now favourites to qualify if they snatch a point at Port Elizabeth, along with the USA, who face Algeria at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld at the same time.

Neal Collins is in South Africa to promote his first novel A GAME APART. For more details seewww.nealcollins.co.uk.

He is also appearing at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown next month. For tickets, seehttp://www.computicket.com/web/event/neal_collins_a_game_apart/148367625

Brazilian brilliance overcomes idiotic Ivorians... and Kaka gets the worst red card of the tournament

Dimly, beneath the din of the Vuvuzelas, the Samba beat is taking a grip at this World Cup. Brazil’s comfortable 3-1 triumph over the Ivory Coast at Soccer City last night may not have been majestic, but it was certainly emphatic.

And even the ridiculous 88^th minute sending off of the improving Kaka won’t hamper their progress. The second most expensive player in the world received a red from flawed French referee Stephane Lennoy despite the fact that Kader Keita ran in to him and then threw himself to the floor.

The incident sparked a huge melee, but it was nothing more than handbags. A FIFA review of this red card must surely result in complete exoneration. Keita, bow your head in shame. This World Cup deserves better.

Former Manchester City star Elano found himself on the wrong side of an upturned boot too, adding further bitterness.

But none of this should take away from Brazil’s performance last night. While the great European nations struggle with conditions in South Africa, the Latin Americans are simply steaming through their groups.

Brazil join Argentina and Holland as the only perfect teams so far. The latter have been the least convincing of that trio. And we all know how Italy, Germany, England and even Spain have struggled so far. Let’s not talk about France.

Paraguay and Chile look pretty hot too, while Uruguay could top Group A.

The Africans? Not good. Ivory Coast are now struggling, South Africa, Algeria and Nigeria are left hoping for miracles, Cameroon – the best ranked of the lot - are already out. Ghana may be the only survivors from the six who started this first African World Cup.

At times last night, despite the distinctly South African howl of horns, we might have been in the Maracana. There was some masterful stuff, including two goals from Luis Fabiano, who scored nine in qualifying.

The first was an absolute beauty, rammed in from a narrow angle after 25 largely unimpressive minutes of a mediocre first half.

But a brief chat with Dunga at half-time saw the Brazilians – who have achieved global domination five times on four continents – emerge with a roar. Fabiano, who will be right up there with Argentina’s Gonzalo Higiuan in the battle for the golden boot, produced what looked to be a great juggle past three defenders to slip home a second after 50 minutes.

The replays appeared to show not one but two handballs as the Sevilla man set up his second. But hey, these are Brazilians. Let’s not nit-pick. Even the ref had a good old laugh with Fabiano about it afterwards.

Real Madrid’s Kaka, who was looking better and better after a slow start, had one effort brilliantly saved before setting up the third for Elano in the 63^rd minute. But then Elano – who had showed off his shin pads after scoring - was carried off on a stretcher after a studs-up response from Cheik Tioto to a sliding tackle.

Didier Drogba, battling away despite playing with a cracked arm, came up with a consolation goal. And then came Kaka’s unjust dismissal... and a late flurry from the Ivorians. But by now, most neutral observers had lost all sympathy for Drogba’s men. And I suspect Didier himself was a little embarrassed. Not to mention former England and Mexico boss Sven Goran Eriksson.

But let’s not let cynicism take away from Brazil’s occasional brilliance. If I were a betting man, they’d be right up there with Argentina. And they’ve got Dunga in charge, not Diego Maradona.

Look, I know I rattle on about these things but, unbelievably, they want me to speak at South Africa’s National Arts Festival on July 4. Yes, it’s ridiculous. Me? Arts? Anyway, here’s the details if you can make it: http://www.computicket.com/web/event/neal_collins_a_game_apart/148367625

The French are revolting. Just ask President Sarkozy.

Distressed South Africans take heart. There has never been a better time to play France. Just ask president Nicolas Sarkozy. They’re revolting.

Yesterday’s open training session in picturesque Knysna featured a furious argument, a player boycott and the resignation of their federation’s managing director Jean-Louis Valentin. That’s a fairly ordinary day for the French at this World Cup.

Group A at this shock-laden tournament will go down to the wire on Tuesday - but when the hosts play the 1998 World Champions, three points for either side won’t be enough if Uruguay and Mexico fight out a draw in Phokeang.

But even if go down in history as the first home nation to fail to emerge from the group stages, BafanaBafana would consider a final triumph over the French in Bloemfontein a major step in the right direction after their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Uruguay.

And a win for the Rainbow Nation might just be on the cards after the latest episode in the French soap opera.

Already riven by all kinds of divisions under outgoing coach Raymond Domenech, tension reached boiling point on Friday when Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home by the French Football Federation.

Anelka was kicked out after French newspaper L’Equipe were told by a mole (“a traitor” if you ask Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra) what went on at half-time during last Thursday’s shock 2-0 defeat against Mexico. They said Anelka called Domenech “the son of a whore” in Polokwane. Anelka denied it and refused to apologise. Thanks very much Nicolas, and good night, said the FFF.

But today, after walking off the training field, the squad released a statement saying: "The players are unanimously against the French Football Federation's decision to expel Nicolas. But we will do everything individually and in a collective spirit against South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.”

And off they toddled. Revolting. Not that training was going particularly well anyway. Everything shuddered to a halt when captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne had to be pulled apart byDomenech.

Duverne angrily threw his stopwatch away in an untimely outburst... and departed. The players decamped to the team bus before releasing their statement.

Then FFF boss Jean-Louis Valentin added to the chaos, announcing: "They don't want to train, it's a scandal. It's a scandal for French people, for the youngsters who came here to watch them train. I'm resigning, I'm leaving the Federation. I have nothing more to do here. I'm going back to Paris."

Asked if he was l’Equipe’s mole, a clearly distressed Valentin replied "no, no, no".

President Sarkozy’s advisor Henri Guaino said: “It's no longer football, it's no longer sport, it's no longer a team but I am not convinced that a political intervention would solve this kind of problem."

England’s John Terry, who is not revolting, added his opinion on team-mate Anelka just to help matters. Ignoring for a moment his side’s appalling showing at this World Cup so far, the former captain said: "Nico is a really good guy and he is a great player as well. Before he came to Chelsea, there was a lot of negative stuff written about him. But you won't find a better man in football.

"He is someone who is very quiet and been in the game a long time and knows his football. If he had something to say to me, I would stand up and listen."

Neal Collins is in South Africa to complain about England's performance and promote his first novel A GAME APART. See www.nealcollins.co.uk.

To see Neal at the National Arts Festival on July 4, go tohttp://www.computicket.com/web/event/neal_collins_a_game_apart/148367625.

New Zealand 1 Italy 1: Another World Cup shocker for the European superpowers

World champions Italy joined the growing list of misfiring European big guns when they were held to an incredible 1-1 draw by New Zealand in Nelspruit – and the world’s fifth best side came within inches of defeat against the 2,000-1 outsiders ranked No87 by FIFA.

The All Whites star? Mark Paston, a 33-year-old goalkeeper who failed to make it with Bradford, Walsall and Scotland’s St Johnstone when he tried to hit the big time in Britain six years ago. He managed 24 games in three seasons and went back to New Zealand, where he now dons gloves for Wellington Phoenix in the A League.

The dynamic deadlock at the impressive Mbombela Stadium was another huge blow for the so-called superpowers of Europe - 1998 champions France are on the brink of elimination in Group A, where even a win against hosts South Africa on Tuesday may not save them. Today comes news that the French boycotted training over Nicolas Anelka being sent home for insulting boss Raymond Domenech.

England and Germany both require solid wins in their final games to go through from Groups C and D. And favourites Spain were beaten 1-0 by Switzerland in their opening Group H encounter.

Now holders Italy are under huge pressure to win their final game against Slovakia at Ellis Park on Thursday. New Zealanders are locked on two points with the Azurri in the Group F table, which is topped by Paraguay, one of several South American teams looking unexpectedly strong in South Africa.

As predicted here weeks ago the Rainbow Nation, blessed with three or four different climates and vast variations in altitude, is producing the most unpredictable of World Cups.

Italy, struggling without injured pair Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo, went behind after just seven minutes. Before this clash, boss Marcello Lippi had warned his side about the All Whites’ strength in the air – and when Simon Elliott’s free kick was whipped in, tall defender Winston Reid flew high to flick on. Italy’s World Cup-lifting captain Fabio Cannavaro could only deflect the ball to Shane Smeltz, who notched his 20th goal in 37 internationals past Federico Marchetti.

While the world’s most expensive goalkeeper Buffon looked on, 33-year-old Paston, cheap and cheerful, denied Riccardo Montolivo before Gianluca Zambrotta sent yet another free kick just over the bar with the superlight Jabulani ball.

Montolivo hit a post as the pressure mounted – but the equaliser when it came was highly controversial. Ipswich defender Tommy Smith challenged Daniele De Rossi for a cross – and Guatemalan referee Carlos Batres pointed to the spot.

Afterwards New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen, who earns his crust at Blackburn, said: “That was a great result for us, we fight all the way. But their goal was not a great decision.”

Smith was cautioned before Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta put the spot kick away.

Lippi made changes as he attempted to grab all three points – but it was New Zealand who nearly went ahead after half-time when Ivan Vicelich lashed a fierce volley just wide.

Paston saved from Montolivo again but at the other end, Wood waltzed past Cannavaro but put his shot just wide.

Italy’s Argentinian Camoranesi forced another decent stop from Paston but it was New Zealand who nearly snatched it when West Brom’s 18-year-old Kiwi Chris Wood put his left-foot shot just wide.

In the opening game on day nine, Paraguay – building on their opening draw against Italy – dispatched Slovakia 2-0 in Bloemfontein with Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros on the score sheet.

Paraguay defender Paulo da Silva beamed: “We played the perfect game. We scored early, we defended well and then we killed them off at just the right time. We’ve taken a very big step and we’ve almost achieved our major objective. Against New Zealand we need to go in with the same attitude if we want to win. Qualification is in our hands now.”

Neal Collins is in South Africa to complain about England's performance and promote his first novel A GAME APART. See www.nealcollins.co.uk.

To see Neal at the National Arts Festival on July 4, go tohttp://www.computicket.com/web/event/neal_collins_a_game_apart/148367625.