Monday was Registration Day! By Henry, on June 29th, 2010
Most candidates arrived in Campo Grande, Brazil, during registration date. They were oriented on what will happen in the next few days and had a chace to spend time together. For sure, many new friendships have already been born!
Miss Bolivia is the “baby” of Miss Global Teen 2010 By Henry, on June 28th, 2010
The youngest delegate to compete in Miss Global Teen 2010 has arrived in Brazil this morning. Alexia Laura Viruez from Bolivia says she is excited to be in Brazil, and will try to conquer the title for her country.
June 26, 2010. Soyini Fraser was crowned as the first ever Miss Guyana Earth titleholder at the Princess Hotel, Providence at East Bank Demerara. She will be Guyana's candidate to the 10th Miss Earth pageant in Vietnam. Kiswana Jefford, Franale Holder and Shelon Fraser were the runners-up.
BEIJING, June 29th - The New Silk Road organization, new franchise holders for Miss Universe in China, appointed 19-year old Wen Tang (photo) as the People's Republic of China representative to the 2010 Miss Universe pageant to be held in Las Vegas, August 23rd.
Tang is a student and model who stands 1.74 m tall.
Miss China Universe 2010
Miss China Universe 2010 June 29, 2010. The New Silk Road Organization is the new Miss Universe license holder for the People's Republic of China. For 2010, the said organization has appointed Wen Tang as Miss China Universe. The 19-year old student and model will represent China at the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada.
King David: Striker David Villa clips the ball over Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo to score the decisive goal for Spain
Just as South American teams were threatening to sweep all before them, Spain delivered a superb reminder on Tuesday night that the champions of Europe are more than capable of claiming the biggest prize in the game.
Vicente del Bosque's side were forced to reach the World Cup quarter-finals the hard way. Portugal provided stern opposition and they can count themselves unlucky to be going home. Ultimately, they paid the price for being drawn in a difficult group and, as a result, progressing as the second-placed team behind tournament favourites Brazil.
Spain, though, were irresistible at times and - the out-of-form Fernando Torres notwithstanding - they produced a spell midway through the second half last night that culminated in a fourth tournament goal for David Villa and a last-eight match-up with Paraguay.
Headache: Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo endures a frustrating night
Torres was so ineffectual that he had been substituted five minutes before his team scored. He will surely start the quarter-final but there is a growing case for his omission. That, of course, is a debate for later in the week. Last night was all about the heavenly gifts of the Barcelona trio, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Villa.
The admirable thing about teams like Spain, and indeed Portugal, is that there is so much to watch even when the game is a stalemate, as it was for an hour last night.
When the going is tough and the route to goal uncertain, these teams do not ask their central defenders to hit long balls. They rely on what they do best and trust that, eventually, they will do it well enough to break through.
This is what happened last night as Spain emerged from a period of uncertainty either side of half-time to spring forward and secure the vital goal.
Del Bosque's team almost scored twice in a minute just after Torres had been replaced by Fernando Llorente, who headed a superb Sergio Ramos cross straight at goalkeeper Eduardo. Villa then curled a ferocious shot inches wide with his right foot.
Seconds later, though, they were ahead and it was a superbly crafted goal. Iniesta and Xavi - who else? - combined on the edge of the penalty area to play in Villa and when his first shot came back off Eduardo, he rammed the rebound high into the net.
Seven heaven: Villa wheels away in delight after his decisive goal
It was tough on the Portugal goalkeeper, who enjoyed an impressive night. He later left the field in tears.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo cut a miserable figure, too. His irritation was understandable. After a stellar first season at Real Madrid, he did not produce anything like his best form at this World Cup and the forward endured a poor night against Spain.
No matter. This was a game that Spain deserved to win, if only just. They began brightly, with Torres and Villa (twice) bringing saves from Eduardo in the first 10 minutes, and for a while it looked as though Xavi would simply pass Portugal on to the plane home. However, Portugal were unbeaten in 19 games before last night and - content to play on the break - they grew into the game.
Flashpoint: Argentine referee Hector Baldassi shows the red card to Portugal's Ricardo Costa as Joan Capdevila writhes in agony
Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas pushed up a Tiago drive and then had to paw the ball away from under his own bar as striker Hugo Almeida closed in. Tiago and Almeida then went close with headers.
Notice of the Portuguese threat had duly been served but the game took its decisive course in the quarter of an hour after half-time as an Almeida cross struck Carles Puyol and almost looped in, before Spain recovered to score.
Once ahead, they could have stretched further clear.
Eduardo saved well from Villa and the excellent right back Sergio Ramos, but Spain's all-round ability was best illustrated right at the death when left back Joan Capdevila threw himself into the path of a goalbound drive from Ricardo Carvalho. Spain are not just a pretty side.
Portugal lost their cool in the closing moments and, as tempers became frayed, a series of heavy challenges went in and Capdevila was left prone by an elbow from Ricardo Costa.
The defender was sent off. That, though, was not the story. Happily, there were better things to talk about.
Dying hope: Japan in agony as lucky charm Yuichi Komano misses his penalty and Oscar Cardozo scores the winner
Paraguay coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino collapsed in his seat and cried like a baby.
Not tears of boredom at such a turgid spectacle but of pure joy as the Argentinian led his adopted nation to their first World Cup quarter-final.
Paraguay made it four South American teams in the last eight, from just five qualifiers, but they needed the tournament’s first penalty shoot-out to kill off Japan and it was Oscar Cardozo, a familiar name on Merseyside this season, who claimed the winning penalty.
Cardozo scored three for Benfica against Liverpool in their Europa League quarter-final, including two penalties in the first leg.
And he scored twice in a minute in a 5-0 destruction of Everton in Lisbon earlier in the campaign. For every shoot-out hero, however, there is a villain, so spare a thought for Japan’s Yuichi Komano — a player who has endured a series of harsh setbacks in his career.
Komano suffered thrombosis while recovering in hospital from a cruciate ligament injury, then broke his collarbone before an eye complaint almost made him blind.
Still running: Parauguay players celebrate after Cardozo's crucial penalty booked their place in the last eight
After overcoming his troubles, Komano was fondly named ‘Good Luck’ by fans, but last night his fortunes turned.
The penalty shoot-out was 3-2 to Paraguay when he stepped up. His shot struck the bar and flew into the sky.
Nelson Valdez and Keisuke Honda both found the net before Cardozo coolly completed the win, firing past goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, who had saved a penalty from Frank Lampard in a friendly last month and from Jon Dahl Tomasson in the group stage.
As Komano broke down on the pitch, manager Takeshi Okada strode solemnly out to console him.
Gutted: Japan's Komano looks to the sky after his penalty hits the crossbar and hands Paraguay the advantage
Martino was an emotional wreck too, removing his glasses to dry his eyes as he was mobbed by staff and players.
‘Everyone knows it is unfair to settle a game like this,’ said Martino.
‘When you make it all the way to the shoot-out you’ve made a huge effort and the tension is released, so many things go through your mind. That was the reason for the tears.’
Martino, a former Argentina player, won the Paraguay title four times before transforming the national team over the last three years.
Denied: Lucas Barrios (centre) can't find a way past Marcus Tulio Tanaka (left) and Eiji Kawashima
‘We celebrate with the rest of Paraguay,’ said Martino.
‘Let them enjoy it. The players made a huge effort. This is a success.
‘We know we are in the best eight in the world. We were just lucky in the shoot-out.
We had solidarity, enthusiasm and will to make it to the history books.’
Paraguay deserved to win, dominating possession over 120 goalless minutes and finishing strong in extra-time.
So close: Justo Villar is beaten by Daisuke Matsui but the bar saves the Paraguay keeper Japan risked little but had their chances to seize the lead. Daisuke Matsui smashed a 30-yarder against the bar in the first half and CSKA Moscow striker Honda missed a terrific opportunity, firing wide from the edge of the penalty area before the break.
Roque Santa Cruz screwed Paraguay’s best chance wide from eight yards. ‘I have no regrets about how we played,’ said Japan boss Okada.
‘The players were wonderful. They represented Japan and Asia as a whole.’ He also hinted he may no longer be in charge by the next World Cup.
There is a rumour he intends to become a farmer.
CORRECTING ID OF PARAGUAY PLAYER Japan's defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka (R) deflects a ball next to Paraguay's striker Lucas Barrios (L) and Japan's defender Yuji Nakazawa during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 football match Paraguay vs. Japan on June 29, 2010 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane/Pretoria.
Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz, second from left, and Paraguay's Paulo Da Silva, second from right in front, try to score a goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, June 29, 2010.
Paraguay's Paulo da Silva goes in for a tackle on Japan's Keisuke Honda during their 2010 World Cup second round soccer match at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.
Paraguay players, front row from left, Carlos Bonet, Nestor Ortigoza, Cristian Riveros, Claudio Morel, Edgar Benitez, Lucas Barrios, back row from left, Enrique Vera, goalkeeper Justo Villar, Antolin Alcaraz, Roque Santa Cruz, and Paulo Da Silva pose for a team photo before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, June 29, 2010.
Paraguay's Edgar Benitez (R) and Cristian Riveros (16) fall during the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Japan at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.
Japan's national soccer team poses for a photo at a 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Paraguay at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010. Pictured are (front L-R) Japan's Makoto Hasebe, Yuto Nagatomo, Yasuhito Endo, Yuichi Komano, Yoshito Okubo, Daisuke Matsui, (rear L-R) Yuki Abe, Yuji Nakazawa, goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, Tulio and Keisuke Honda.
Paraguay's team huddles before their 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Japan at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.
Japan supporters with Japan's national flag painted on their cheeks are pictured before the 2010 World Cup round of 16 match Paraguay versus Japan on June 29, 2010 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
A Japan's fan, with his face painted, waits for the start of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Japan and Paraguay at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.
Japan's Keisuke Honda (4th L) warms up with team mates before the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010
King David: Striker David Villa clips the ball over Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo to score the decisive goal for Spain
Headache: Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo endures a frustrating night
Seven heaven: Villa wheels away in delight after his decisive goal
Flashpoint: Argentine referee Hector Baldassi shows the red card to Portugal's Ricardo Costa as Joan Capdevila writhes in agony
Notice of the Portuguese threat had duly been served but the game took its decisive course in the quarter of an hour after half-time as an Almeida cross struck Carles Puyol and almost looped in, before Spain recovered to score. 
Dying hope: Japan in agony as lucky charm Yuichi Komano misses his penalty and Oscar Cardozo scores the winner
Still running: Parauguay players celebrate after Cardozo's crucial penalty booked their place in the last eight
Gutted: Japan's Komano looks to the sky after his penalty hits the crossbar and hands Paraguay the advantage
Denied: Lucas Barrios (centre) can't find a way past Marcus Tulio Tanaka (left) and Eiji Kawashima
So close: Justo Villar is beaten by Daisuke Matsui but the bar saves the Paraguay keeper
Japan's Keisuke Honda (4th L) warms up with team mates before the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010
