“I’m flattered to hear that Usain Bolt wants my shirt. I’m just sorry that I don’t have his speed… and that he’s a Manchester United fan.”

— England and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.

“Apart from the Jacksons, there aren’t many famous people from Indiana. Even if we win the World Cup, it won’t be a big thing. Perhaps it would give me the right to a statue.”

— US player DeMarcus Beasley.

“We don’t want to be outdone by South Korea. We want to work hard and go one up on South Korea.”

— Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo after Asian arch-rivals South Korea upset former European champions Greece 2-0 in their opener in Port Elizabeth.

“The physios are a bit bored and don’t know what to do.”

— German team manager Oliver Bierhoff on the impressive fitness of the 23 players in the squad.

“My level of frustration is zero, I can assure you. I was training amateurs against professionals.”

— South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira when reminded that apart from his time with Brazil he never won a World Cup game when in charge of Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.