Johannesburg: Who's saying what at the World Cup:
"Even if we lose, life goes on and the game goes on. We won't die."
- CSKA Moscow's Keisuke Honda on Japan's mood after four straight international friendly defeats ahead of their World Cup opener against Cameroon on Monday.
"We'll win 2-0."
- Prediction on the score for Saturday's Greece v South Korea game in Port Elizabeth by Father Georges Vakonakis, whose Greek Orthodox church lies a decent throw-in from the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.
"Julio is the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment, for what he's done and what he's won."
- Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes on his happiness at being understudy to Julio Cesar.
"We are not refereeing for the first time. That's why we are used to this atmosphere. We go and just do our jobs. Nothing extraordinary."
- Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov on the pressure after being picked to officiate the opening game of the World Cup on Friday between South Africa and Mexico.
"Not if, but when."
- Defender Matthew Booth reacting to a question on how he expected South Africa to do if they made it past first round.
"We decided last year to leave the whole World Cup month free of church events so that the people can watch it without problems."
- Chilean priest Father Isaldo Bettin.
"I am 100 percent Ghanaian. I am a professional, my primary target is to win against Serbia and to qualify."
Ghana's Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac who faces his own country on Sunday.
"We're not the oldest team here, there are three or four teams that are older than us."
- Italy coach Marcello Lippi reacting to claims his defending champions are over the hill.
"We are ready to go to war and conquer."
- South Africa president Jacob Zuma on the home team's chances.
"What really gave me pleasure was that at the Milan airport there were hundreds of people to see us off. We're not used to this enthusiasm. Four years ago at our departure for Germany, there was just one person with a banner, and he was a friend of mine."
- Italy coach Marcello Lippi
"As we all know, Argentina are a great team, they have a great coach (Diego Maradona) who has character and charisma, hence they're one of the favourites. I know Messi well, he can be the star of this World Cup. He's a superstar, and as with Maradona in 1986, he can win games on his own. But these kind of tournaments are more about the group than the individual."
- Italy full-back Gianluca Zambrotta on Argentina and Messi.
"We've managed him in a certain way but there's something about him with his age and his build, he could be a little X-factor for us."
- New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert on his 19-year-old West Brom striker Chris Woods.
"Mexico fear nobody. They are prepared to attack with eight players pushing into their opponents' half. They are an awesome side but we know what to expect and are ready."
- South Africa assistant coach Pitso Motsimane on opening-match opponents Mexico
"Fabio Capello reminds me of Sir Alf Ramsey."
- George Cohen, a member of England's 1966 World Cup winning team, comparing the current England boss to the man who coached the team of 44 years ago.
