South Africa ready for World Cup

It’s almost here at last. After years of planning, worry, debate, tension and – perhaps most of all – anticipation, South Africa will host the first World Cup on its continent starting Friday, ready or not.

This diverse nation can hardly wait.

“There are no words to describe it,” Malin Fisher said. “It’s amazing.”

The man should know. A 32-year-old trainee church minister from suburban Johannesburg, he became the first fan to buy World Cup tickets over the counter after waiting overnight outside a shopping mall, sleeping on a camping chair wrapped in blankets. His reward: two seats at the July 11 final.

Fisher is just one example of how this nation of nearly 50 million has gone soccer crazy, and for this moment when it is at the center of the planet’s attention.

People all over the globe will be watching the monthlong tournament, eager to see what South Africa is all about and if Africa’s first host can pull off such a massive show despite being a developing democracy, just 16 years removed from its first post-apartheid election.

There will be some rough edges. Even last week, highway workers were rushing to finish improvements not far from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

But if the question is whether the South Africans are ready to welcome the biggest event for the world’s popular sport, the answer is a resounding yes.

The new slogan for the main cable sports TV channel is “2010: Once in a lifetime.”

“Feel it, it is here,” says national broadcaster SABC on just about every commercial break.

You can’t go 25 yards without being reminded the World Cup is in town, or where it’s being held. South Africa’s colorful flag flies everywhere – outside apartment buildings, office blocks, and on countless cars.

Posters advertising the tournament are a constant in every major city and most minor towns.

The country’s president, Jacob Zuma, appears regularly in the yellow shirt of the national team, Bafana Bafana, and World Cup mascot Zakumi – a hyperactive leopard with spiky green hair – is on TV more than Zuma.

For some time, “soccer Fridays” have allowed everyone to go to work or school wearing a soccer shirt.

Workplaces and schools have been holding soccer tournaments and lessons on how to blow a vuvuzela – the fans’ plastic trumpet that is certain to provide the blaring soundtrack of this World Cup.

“It’s undoubted that we are on the verge of something truly unique and memorable,” said Irvin Khoza, chairman of the event’s local organizing committee. “Without question this tournament has rallied and mobilized this country like never before.”

A sports-mad nation by nature, South Africa has hosted major events before: the Rugby World Cup, Cricket World Cup and African soccer’s main event, the African Cup of Nations.

But never like this.

Buddle’s 2 goals lead U.S.

The dress rehearsal could not have gone much better for the United States.

In a small stadium near an open field in Roodepoort, a suburb west of Johannesburg, the Americans beat Australia for the first time, a 3-1 victory Saturday on a sun-splashed autumn afternoon that filled the U.S. players with confidence.

Next up is the game the Americans have been waiting six months for, their high-profile World Cup opener against England on Saturday.

Edson Buddle, not even in the national team picture a few months ago, scored in the fourth and 31st minutes for his first two international goals. Herculez Gomez, another player not expected to make the World Cup roster, entered in the 82nd minute and scored against the Socceroos in second-half injury time, his second national team goal in 12 days.

Tim Cahill scored for Australia in the 19th minute when he beat Howard, his Everton teammate, for his 20th goal in 40 international appearances.

Injuries keep coming

The injuries just keep coming, and plenty of big-name players are being affected with the World Cup less than a week away.

A day after Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and England captain Rio Ferdinand were hurt, Netherlands winger Arjen Robben limped off the field with a left hamstring injury and Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel was ruled out of the tournament in South Africa because of his ailing knee.

Robben scored two goals before being hurt in the Dutch team’s 6-1 win over Hungary in Amsterdam.

The Dutch have another injury concern in center back John Heitinga. He was substituted after about an hour against the Hungarians and his ankle was immediately wrapped in ice. Mikel will miss the World Cup because he has not recovered from knee surgery.

Slovakia defender Martin Skrtel was also hurt Saturday. The Liverpool central defender injured his ankle in the 13th minute of Slovakia’s 3-0 win over Costa Rica, but he is expected to travel with the team to South Africa.

Others being affected by injuries include Mexico forward Guillermo Franco, Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo, Chile striker Humberto Suazo and United States striker Jozy Altidore. Besides captain Michael Ballack, Germany has also lost goalkeeper Rene Adler and midfielder Simon Rolfes to injury.