As much as I would like to sit here and say that the decision in the first half cost us the game, we never really deserved it. Poor in the group stages and only good for about 15 minutes of the Round of 16 clash, Germany were far superior.

However, it could, and should, have been 2-2 at least as the teams went in for the break. But somehow, unbelievably, all three referees missed what was a clear Frank Lampard goal.

The card-happy referees have had a terrible time of it this World Cup and in my opinion, have wrecked games. This blight will only dampen their resumes.

Now, the entire up roar has begun about video technology and what not and surely it will go on for some time.

Although, whilst I feel sunk at what could have been, I am not in favour of having video technology and all this tennis like ‘challenge’ system.

This is mainly because it would ruin the ‘flow of the game’ as most have said. Not only this, but with line-ball situations that are debatable and very close, we might face massive delays as the referees and subsequent video referees try to come up with the right decision.

I would much rather prefer goal line referees. FIFA trialled them in the Europa leagues and there were problems, some of these referees missing the exact things they were put there for.

However, at least such clear cut decisions like the Lampard example wouldn’t go unnoticed and especially in such big competitions.

Talk has materialized over having a ‘goal-line sensor’ that would apparently alert the referee if the ball had crossed the line.

Seems like a bit of a joke to me really, why go through all the trouble of kitting out hundreds to thousands of goalposts with this sensor when FIFA can easily employ two more referees per game?

The decision seems simple to me.

Undoubtedly though is the question; is it worth the trouble? Well trialling it in domestic competitions is the obvious answer and it looks like a suitable option.

FIFA might think about employing the two-referee system over a few domestic leagues around the world and review the results at season’s end, rather than judging the method after one running in a European competition.

Get feedback from everyone, the players, the managers, the fans, about what they thought of the added referee’s and most importantly, if they actually made the game better. After all, if these extra referees only further complicate decision making in the game, there is no point.

Oh, and please get rid of those damn Jabulani’s FIFA!

ENGLAND

Formation: 4-2-3-1

TAB Sportsbet: $6

The Coach: Fabio Capello

A great leader, Capello will be looking to add the biggest trophy to his impressive CV. He came in under controversy and has had to deal with a range of dangerous situations including the Terry-gate saga, but he led them to the Cup having only lost one and winning nine games.

The Captain: Rio Ferdinand

Captaincy has been a massive issue for England over the past few months and many touted either Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard to get the spot, however Rio’s presence at the back won him the job. His leadership at the back will be crucial.

The X-Factor: Steven Gerrard

Whilst he endured a very difficult season at Liverpool, the sleeping giant of England could prove the extra ingredient needed to take them all the way. His ability to produce when required and desires to get something out of a terrible year or two will be enormous.

Keeper Drama... Who will put their hand up?

The Flaw: The Keeper

Whilst England certainly doesn’t lack keepers as such, they are more in need of a consistently well performing number one. David James looks like he’ll get the starting spot over Rob Green and Joe Hart as he has been awarded the number one jersey for the Cup. But neither of them have been able to really cement their spot in the side and have all looked shaky in their time.

The Verdict: Champions

They’ve had their fair share of controversy over the past year and a bit, however this is most likely their best chance to win the Cup since 1970. The fact that many of this squad will be gone by the next Cup will be a motivating factor and when you have so much talent on hand it’s hard to go past them.

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USA

Formation: 4-4-2

TAB Sportsbet: $67

The Coach: Bob Bradley

Not the most popular coach ever with his lack of team cohesion and style seeing him lose faith with some fans. However, he led the country to their sixth consecutive Cup and will remain at the top.

The Captain: Carlos Bocanegra

Can Landon produce his Everton form?

Bocanegra has become a great leader for the States after captaining his country for the first time in 2007. He led them to that win over Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup and will lift his team in South Africa.

The X-Factor: Landon Donovan

The strikers showing for Everton last season made people sit up and notice. His electric pace and ability to beat his opponent is brilliant and if he can do that in South Africa, it could spell a rise to fame for the striker.

The Flaw: Defence

The States leaked 13 goals in qualifying from only 10 games and could only keep Trinidad and Tobago (twice) and Mexico scoreless in three games. Lacking a ‘big’ name in defence could be their downfall and when they come up to technically superior team like England they might struggle.

The Verdict: Quarter Finals

If they can muscle up the back and guys like DaMarcus Beasley Jozy Altidore can step up, they have the ability to do well. Their performances in the Confederations Cup shocked the World and if they can repeat those performances, we could see a few American upsets.

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ALGERIA

Formation: 4-4-2

TAB Sportsbet: $251

The Coach: Rabah Saadane

The fact that Saadane was drawn to tears before Algeria’s game against Egypt to qualify for the Cup conveys how much this man works for the team. He’s already led them to the Cup in 1986, but the biggest challenge will be maintaining his players in the dressing rooms.

Terry's been shown the door.

Fabio Capello said he wouldn’t rush into a decision, that he would hear John’s side of the story, yet it took all of twelve minutes for him to decide that Mr Terry was no longer going to be England captain under his regime.

It is reported by the Daily Mail UK that the last straw was the hiring out of the Wembley captain’s box by John Terry’s associate Anthony White, an ex-member of the David Beckham foundation.

The new captain incumbent will be Rio Ferdinand, the crocked Manchester United centre-half, with Steven Gerrard as vice-captain, Gerrard looking likely to lead the team out if Ferdinand’s chronic back injury and dip in form continues.

However, John Terry looks set to keep his place in the English XI and Carlo Ancelotti was quoted as saying that this would not affect his choice for the Arsenal match (on Monday morning 2 55 am AEST).

More to follow.

JT... Does he deserve to be captain?

You have to feel for the lad. Literally! (haha)

The man is undergoing some serious questioning under all aspects of his life after his alleged sexual activity with Wayne Bridge’s former lover. And all after receiving a certain ‘Dad of the Year’ award in 2009. Don’t you just love how these things happen exactly the way you want them? The tabloids back home will be going crazy (if they weren’t already).

The amazing issue of the whole situation are rumours that Bridge has offered a ‘me or him’ like ultimatum to Fabio Capello regarding his position in the national team. I mean come on Mr. Bridge; you struggle to make the team anyways! Now all of a sudden, you have the right to decide whether Terry captains the English team or not?

It seems all a bit silly to me. Yes, the captain of the English national team should be a person young (and even old) people should be able to look up to, someone who has good morals and all. But at the end of the day, this guy is being payed to play. Private life is called private for a reason, son.

Okay, fair play if the lad lets the situation get to his mind and his game suffers the consequences, but if he continues to put up decent displays for Chelsea, I can’t see why he shouldn’t continue to be installed as England captain.

Then there’s this whole ‘Team Bridge’ nonsense. I mean seriously. Are these lads fourteen or something? If you’re not sure what I mean, we saw some Man City players reveal under garments with the words ‘Team Bridge’ on them after the Portsmouth game.

One of the players who revealed this shirt was that man again, Carlos Tevez. Does this guy have nothing better to do than create controversy? First it’s; “Fergie didn’t treat me properly!”, then; “Gary has nothing better to do than suck socks!” and now this? Really, Carlos? The guy probably hasn’t even said anything else than ‘good game’ to Terry in his life, and yet he is out with this.

The infamous 'Team Bridge' shirt

Regardless, the important note in this issue is yes, what I can understand the whole ‘back your teammates’ persona, but surely not with such an issue and in such a public arena.

There were reports that a number of players within the City camp refused to wear such words, so it interests me to see how much Bridge actually had a part in this scheme, or if it were simply player-driven.

Regardless, the important note in this issue is yes, what Terry did was not right. If the reports are in fact true, that is. It may appear to you as the reader that I am taking sides with Terry, and perhaps I am, but only on the fact that he should be kept captain of the national squad. Why? As he has shown us that he is able to get on with it (goal vs. Burnley).

So, what would be more important to the English national team four odd months before the World Cup? Terry playing as captain with the backing of his coach and (some) of his players, but, without Wayne Bridge’s availability – OR – Terry, perhaps not even playing, without the backing of the coach and (some) players, but with Bridge’s availability within the team?

Let us know by voting in our February poll of the month.

Terry's been shown the door.

It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to share my views with you, the greater public, and as such I want to draw your attention to an issue that is dominating the sports pages, even the thugby-loving Telegraph having run a full-page story on it. I am of course talking about John Terry and his captaincy for the English national side.

Another thing that should be mentioned is my slight obsession for all things Chelsea Football Club, and typically I believe he should retain his captaincy, though not for the reasons you would think.

Quite simply, he is England’s and possibly the world’s finest centre back and also one of the best captains in the game, comparisons with Bobby Moore himself not uncommon, but more importantly these last few games have demonstrated why he should remain the skipper for the joint favourite team for the World Cup this year.

Against Hull his every touch was booed and yet, he was Chelsea’s finest defender. Carvalho the culprit for slack defending as the visitors lost out at a set-piece for the 15th time this season; JT made a number of crucial interceptions and his usual good distribution from the back was present despite the jeers. He is a man in intense pain as shown by his reaction to the home fans, however he was professional as ever and still near perfect when it came to being on the pitch.

Fabio Capello’s main debate will be whether this will divide the dressing room. However it is not looking likely, a number of England players and Under 21 England coach, Stuart Pearce, are in public support. Some are contemplating whether Bridge would play under Terry ever again, my response to that issue is, does it matter? Taking Bridge to the Cup after his City form would be a major risk; Leighton Baines or Stephen Warnock are equally talented, Baines perhaps more so, and they are getting regular game time so why include a player who is mentally and physically unprepared?

John Terry is worthy of a place in any starting line-up and of any captains armband, his off-pitch life should be private, including the (BREAKING NEWS) AU$7500 payments he has been receiving for use of the Captain’s box at Wembley, as according to the UK Daily Mail, which are strictly prohibited. These indiscretions should result in personal councilling, fines and perhaps a warning that any new offences will be treated as such and result in the stripping of the captaincy.

So yes, I do think that Terry has been imbecilic, but in the same vein can you imagine a 24 year-old who, only last year was sent off for throwing a tantrum (against Fulham, Paul Scholes was also sent off I believe), captaining a country with a true chance of World Cup glory when they are already blessed with Terry?

Once again, I feel honoured to be a part of this new and exciting time for our fine sport; feel free to comment and give your opinions, after all, that is what makes our sport so brilliant!