Source: Daily_Mail
Jamie Redknapp's weekend watch: Let's not go nuts over defeat to Brazil
So England lost to Brazil, but what did you expect? There was only one certain World Cup starter on the pitch, acting captain Wayne Rooney, and it was a predictable result. [LNB] Don't panic: Everybody already knew Brazil would be favourites at the World Cup[LNB]Let's not panic. England will be outsiders in South Africa, Brazil will be among the favourites, but we knew that.[LNB]It's another reason why club managers don't like these games. What did we learn? [LNB]A little masterCan we have our ball back? That's what Ireland must have wanted to ask France's Lassana Diarra (right) as their game wore on. [LNB]Like Xavi and Iniesta of Spain, the former Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder is another little man who rules in the land of the midfield giants. [LNB]He's been Real Madrid's most consistent player this season.[LNB]Arsenal robbedWhen Robin van Persie flew out to join up with Holland, he went as Arsenal's spearhead and one of their key players, with eight goals this season. [LNB]Now he returns from a friendly against Italy with damaged ankle ligaments. [LNB] Pain game: Robin Van Persie's six week absence will be a real blow for Arsenal[LNB]It's hard luck on Arsene Wenger, whose team are achieving more than expected. [LNB]He must be relieved to hear his Dutchman is out for just six weeks.[LNB]Dragon's roarOne player who won't be complaining about the international fixture list this weekend is Aaron Ramsey (right) of Wales. [LNB]The little Arsenal midfielder looks like a mini Cesc Fabregas and he ran Scotland into the ground on Saturday with his passing and appreciation of a football. [LNB]He's another find for Wenger and we'll be seeing more of him.[LNB]Game on!Imagine the atmosphere in Cairo: Egypt 2, Algeria 0. A gate of 74,000 people turned up to witness former Wigan striker Amr Zaki (right) get on the scoresheet and a 95th-minute goal that means the two nations finished with identical records and could not be separated. [LNB]They will now play off in Sudan on Wednesday. That will be no place for the faint hearted.[LNB]Out of AfricaWe remember Nigeria from past World Cups and they are through again, but only just. [LNB]It took leaders Tunisia to lose 1-0 in Mozambique, while Nigeria's 3-2 win in Kenya saw them qualify. [LNB] Scraping through: Everton defender Joseph Yobo toasts team-mate Obafemi Martins after his brace helped Nigeria on the road to South Africa[LNB]Ex-Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins (2) and Everton's Yakubu scored the goals. [LNB]They are still a team to avoid in the draw on December 4.[LNB]It's a knockoutThe best performance of the weekend comes from the boxing sensation that is Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao (Manny to you and me). [LNB]I was up in the early hours watching his destruction of Miguel Cotto in a sensational display of boxing. [LNB] Prize fighter: The legendary Manny Pacquaio (L) blitzed through Miguel Cotto[LNB]That's world titles at seven weights now, five of them universally recognised, to put him in among greats such as Tommy Hearns and Floyd Mayweather. [LNB]But can any of them live with the legend of Pacquiao?[LNB] Brazil 1 England 0: Fabio Capello's second-string out-classed in Qatar Republic of Ireland 0 France 1: Irish rage at Diarra slur as they head for ParisArsenal face striker crisis as Dutch FA confirm Robin van Persie has torn ankle ligaments Manny Pacquiao puts on boxing masterclass in Las Vegas to dismantle Miguel Cotto [LNB] Explore more:People:Lassana Diarra, Obafemi Martins, Floyd Mayweather, JOSEPH YOBO, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Jamie RedknappPlaces:Newcastle, Chelsea, Cairo, Wales, Spain, Tunisia, South Africa, France, Brazil, Italy, Scotland, Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, Algeria, Egypt, Ireland, United Kingdom, The Netherlands
