“This marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life,” he said in a statement released by the New York team. Henry started out at Monaco and later moved to Juventus, before spending eight successful seasons at English club Arsenal. He won the 1998 World Cup with France as well as the 2002 European Chamionships. He’s move to Barcelona in 2007 saw him finishing up as the team’s top goal scorer in his first season but saw little first team football in the last 12 months due to recurring injuries. “It is without question that Thierry Henry is one of the most successful and recognisable soccer players over the past 15 years,” said Dietmar Beiersdorfer, head of New York’s owners, Red Bull Global Soccer.

“We are thrilled that Thierry has decided to come to New York to help the Red Bulls compete for championships this year and for years to come. His international pedigree is second to none and he is a proven winner.” Henry will play his first match for the Bulls against Tottenham Hotspur in a pre-season friendly.

Dutch media acknowledged Spain as worthy winners but lambasted Webb for his performance on the night. Sepp Blatter refused to be drawn into any debate about whether the English referee was a suitable candidate to take control of the match. “It’s not up to me to judge the performances of the officials, I can only say it was a very hard task that the referee trio had on the field of play”, he told a news conference in Johannesburg. Blatter went on to shower praise upon Spain for their fair play approach to the match. He also went on to praise the host nation South Africa for hosting the tournament successfully, giving them a nine out of ten. Blatter also apologized to England and Mexico for the refereeing blunder which saw a Frank Lampard goal disallowed against Germany and Carlos Tevez’ offside header which saw Mexico eliminated from the tournament. “A goal was not given in a match between England and Germany and it went all around the world, it was like a cry, an alarm that something very, very important has happened.”It was said ‘will you reopen the file of technology?’ and I have said ‘yes – goal-line technology will be looked at again by the International FA Board’, but only goal-line technology.”

Spain’s captain and goalkeeper Ike Cassilas was awarded the Golden Gloves award for best goalkeeper of the tournament. Mueller, who is only 20 years old, was also voted the Best Young Player for his outstanding performance which helped Germany through to the semi final. Germany finished in third place for the second successive World Cup after defeating Uruguay 3-2 in the 3rd place play off. Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 to secure their first ever World Cup title thanks to a late goal from Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Holland were lucky to still have 10 men on the pitch as they escaped with some dangerous tackling. Spain becomes the first European team to win the World Cup outside of Europe. Holland appeared in their 3rd World Cup final completing a hat trick of coming off second best. They lost the final to Germany in 1974 and four years later against Argentina. The Spaniards, who many referred to as the underachievers of World football, finally managed to break that voodoo. It will be a World Cup to remember and one of historical significance too, with Spain becoming winners for the first time at a World Cup being staged in Africa for the very first time. They now add the World Cup to their European trophy which they won two years ago.

Germany were unable to breach the Spanish defense and goalkeeper Ike Casillas was on top form, proving why he is rated one of the best in the world. Germany came close to scoring on the few chances they had to attack Spain on the counter, but failed to slot home the ball. Spain toyed with their opposition by keeping possession of the ball and building patient attacks with slick passing. Germany showed their discipline by not getting frustrated and it was only a matter of time before Spain’s dominant ball possession was going to be fruitful. Fernando Torres was left on the bench and came on as a substitute in the second half. An unmarked Torres found himself wide open with not a defender in sight but strike partner Pedro failed to cross the ball to the Liverpool forward, instead, he (Pedro) opted to go for glory himself. The Spanish, who for years were tagged the under-achievers of World Football, now find themselves one game away from lifting the trophy when they face the Netherlands at Soccer City on Sunday. Holland will also be hoping to write themselves into the history books as they also seek to lift their first ever World Cup trophy.

Argentina is the second South American team to falter at the quarter final stages of the World Cup after Brazil was beaten by the Dutch 24hrs earlier. The likes of Tevez and Messi were a huge disappointment for Argentina as individual flair took no part in this contest. Defender Arne Friedrich gave the Germans an unassailable lead in the 74th minute when he breached the Argentine defense to toe poke the ball into the back of the net from a Bastian Schweinsteiger pass. Diego Maradona looked on in disbelief and made no substitutions to try and rescue the match, even though he had the likes of Diego Milito at his disposal. The world player of the year, Lionel Messi joined the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka who all failed to deliver at the FIFA World Cup. Germany will face either Paraguay or Spain in the semi final next week in Durban.

The Brazilians were favorites to reach the World Cup final on July 11th but the Dutch had other plans. Robinho gave the Brazilians the lead as early as the tenth minute and they looked in control of the match for most parts of the first half. Felipe Melo’s own goal in the 53rd minute gave the Dutch new found courage as the Brazilians suddenly found themselves on the back foot. An unmarked Wesley Sneijder put the Oranje in the lead from a rare header in the 68th minute. Brazil started to look jittery and lost the plot completely in the closing stages of the match as their frustration clearly boiled over through Melo’s sending off. Holland will meet the winner of the Uruguay versus Ghana match in Cape Town on Tuesday as they press on for a rare appearance in a World Cup final.

Portugal started the first half playing a cautious game as the Spanish were at their brilliant best with superb passing which saw the Portuguese defend for most parts of the first half. Fernando Torres, who has yet to score a goal in the World Cup, struggled yet again to put the ball in the back of the net. Cristiano Ronaldo, the world’s most expensive player, was shut out of the game completely. Although Portugal’s hopes were pinned on the Real Madrid striker, he wasn’t allowed space to maneuver by the Spanish defense. A brilliant free kick by Ronaldo from distance was fended off by Iker Cassilas and fell to safety. Spain’s stellar performance in the second half was too much for Portugal as they struggled to get an equalizing goal.

Javier Hernandez managed to pull one back for the Mexicans but it was too little, too late. Mexico had a few good opportunities on goal but failed to find the back of the net. Lionel Messi’s first goal of the tournament still eluded him as he saw his shot on target saved by Oscar Perez. Argentina will face Germany in the quarter final next Saturday in Cape Town which should be the pick of the matches thus far at the World Cup.

England’s game plan was non existent and this was exploited by a disciplined and well organized German side that played some breathtaking football for most part of the match. Two further goals in the second half from Thomas Mueller left England dead and buried. Lampard only managed to hit the crossbar yet again in the second half as England tried to restore some form of respectability to the score line. England’s attacking options were non existent as the Germans defended well and not giving England space to maneuver in and around the penalty area. They closed them down quickly and the likes of Wayne Rooney were shut out of the game. Rooney had a frustrating World Cup campaign as the Manchester United striker entered the tournament with high hopes but failed to impress and unable to score any goals. Germany will face either Argentina or Mexico in the quarter final next Saturday in Cape Town.
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