A midfielder forms the crucial connecting link between attack and defence. Omnipresent in the centre of the park, his job generally revolves around winning the ball, breaking down opponent play and then driving his team forward. He subconsciously lets those tackles fly in, with little consideration of his physical well being, ever keen on hanging on to the footbal. It is quite obvious then that the midfielder is the engine of the team, running around the pitch creating plays while at the same time stifling opponent attacks, easily the most essential component of his team.

While a defender generally is a strong, sturdy and bull-headed player who pays little heed to style and finesse and whose only job in the game is to ensure the opponent doesn't get an eye into the goal, a striker ought to be swift, nifty and cunning and needs to ensure his team ends up with the higher number of goals. A midfielder is an amalgamation of the two, needing to possess the qualities of both a defender and a striker, as he might have to contain as well as score goals, depending on the situation. Despite the versatile role they play, it is baffling that midfielders are given little credit for the goals scored as well as that hard earned clean sheet, which is quite astonishing considering that they of all players have played a part at both ends of the pitch.

For the first time the footballing giants of the globe accumulate in Africa to take part in this month long sports extravaganza. The number of supporters from Brazil to New Zealand may vary to a large extent, but each and every football fan has the right to know when and against whom their favourite sporting idols will wear those jerseys emanating patriotism and put on those boots, their spades in battle, to fight for glory, for success and most importantly for the joy of a few million standing behind them.

As a supporter one would want to know when their team faces off with their closest rival or even the fixture which assures them a victory comes along so that there is a reason to celebrate to toast with all your mates watching the World Cup together in excitement. For a neutral the knowlegde of the dates and timings of a big clash e.g. Brazil vs. Portugal is crucial and for all those others who are not fortunate enough to be there in South Africa yet are wanting to catch every inch of the FIFA World Cup for some reason or no reason at all, we have the schedule for your benefit.