Bet on England

Kammy here, and what a great day we had on Monday.

Guus Hiddink showed what a fantastic and passionate coach he is for Australia. After Takahara had scored the opening goal for Japan he made clever substitutions - Tim Cahill was fantastic and John Aloisi’s goal was simply superb as the Socceroos fought back to win 3-1.

As for today, well, the Brazilians have arrived at last and everyone has been waiting for them.

I wouldn’t say Carlos Alberto Parreira was a friend of mine, but quite a few years ago we spent two weeks together on a coaching course at Lilleshall. We became pretty close at the time and, although our paths haven’t crossed for over 15 years, I’d love to catch up with him again – maybe when England meet Brazil in the semi-finals!

It could be tricky for Brazil against Croatia though as everyone assumes the Croats will be beaten. You would expect Brazil, with their quality, to win by a couple of goals but there is a lot of pressure on them to deliver. Having said all that, they only know one thing and that it to be play skilful football and they have so many great players and should come through with little difficulty.

I’m also backing Ronaldo to score the first after the stick he’s taken over his weight. The Brazilian public have made him a laughing stock because he is carrying a few extra pounds, but he is probably fitter now than he was with Real Madrid during last season.

Later on in the afternoon, we’ve got South Korea taking on Togo. Togo have had a few problems, what with their manager leaving and then coming back and I don’t expect the Koreans to have any such problems in beating them.

Nobody seems to be mentioning France as potential winners of the World Cup but, in Thierry Henry, they have the best striker on show.

I have no doubt he can perform at this level after proving a few journalists wrong in the Champions League last season.

It’s going to be France 3, Switzerland 0.

That’s all from me today, but I’ll be back tomorrow.