S. American sides rule World Cup

Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO

Across South America, soccer fans are feeling the joy of victory — spiked with a twist of revenge.

The continent’s teams have dominated at World Cup 2010.

Of its five nations in the field of 32 on opening day, four are still alive headed to the quarterfinals: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Just Chile — the only South American team to lose in the tournament — has been eliminated. And the Chileans fell in the second round to Brazil.

Going into the quarterfinals, South American teams have 10 wins, four draws and two losses (Chile also lost to Spain in group play). Argentina leads in goals (10), shots (75) and shots on goal (36).

Europe, on the other hand, had only six of its 13 teams advance to the second round, and will have only three teams in the quarters. European teams went 15-10-14 in group play, and traditional powerhouses Italy and France failed to make it out of their groups. England, expected by most to win its group, finished second to the U.S.

To top it off, there is a chance the semifinals will only feature teams from South America,.

There are several popular explanations for the South Americans’ success.

Some have speculated that their tough qualifying road helps once they get to the World Cup. Unlike in Europe, where Spain could get a group that includes, for example, Faeroe Islands and Moldova, there’s one big group in South America and few “easy” teams. Only two points separated Uruguay, which earned its spot by beating CONCACAF member Costa Rica in a playoff, and the next three teams.

Also, while top players go to Europe, there are good domestic leagues in South America where players can develop, making for deep national rosters. In Brazil, for example, there was a campaign to get teenage phenomenon Neymar — who plays for the Brazilian club Santos — on the national team, though coach Dunga wound up leaving him home.

Twenty-two-year-old Eduardo Brasil knows the real secret to his nation’s many victories.

“It’s in our veins, we are born knowing how to play. Europe comes and robs kids as young as 14. But they always come back for the cup.”

Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria

Nigeria’s president suspended the national soccer team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.

Nigeria left the World Cup competition with just one point, which it earned in a 2-2 draw with South Korea.

Mexico

MEXICO CITY

Javier Aguirre quit as Mexico coach, three days after the team was knocked out in a 3-1 loss to Argentina.