Day two of the World Cup and a rare day without attending a match. Our host for the Durban leg of this trip is Ian, who lives a fair old drive from Durban itself, but in a beautiful area. I could get used to this. He's very much a pro-Wenger man, in contrast to Harv, and can't wait until the new 25 man squad rule and the financial fair play stuff comes in, as he is of the view that Arsenal will seriously profit on the field from the work Wenger has been doing in recent seasons.

World Cup-wise, a day of three games on the box. I have to confess to only catching the last 20 minutes of South Korea's win over Greece. The empty seats at Port Elizabeth told their own story. The game was a tough sell and there aren't many casual visiting fans down that way as it is another fairly isolated venue. So tickets were doubtless plentiful and many left unsold. Looked like quite a stadium though. I was sitting in a reclining chair and drifted off to sleep before the game finished. Apparently this can be an effect of altitude, and although we are within reach of Durban here, we are actually quite high up. Mind you, I often fall asleep in front of matches on the box at home, so I'm not convinced.

Just as well I didn't nod off that in the hire car we picked up from the airport in Durban. The road to Ian's was a good one, but some of the driving of other road users is unpredictable. You unquestionably have to have your wits about you. As soon as I see a taxi bus, I already know to expect the unexpected and sure enough one cut me up today. I saw it coming, so no harm done. It's like watching my son playing Super Mario Kart on his Nintendo Wii, although with potentially fatal consequences for the unwary. Thinking about it, the only World Cup I have attended where a car was not the main mode of transport for me was eight years ago in Japan. The trains were - for the most part - so good, it made no sense to attempt to get to grips with the Japanese road system. And I have a vague recollection that the road signs were all in the native alphabet anyway, so frankly, I'd have struggled to find my way anywhere. Any time a hire car is involved, it's a joy for me to drive something less than two years old, relying on an old banger at home. We are driving a Honda 'Jazz'. Never heard of it before today. Drives nice though. Struggles a little on steep hills, but hopefully that means small engine - less petrol.

Enough of 'Top Gear'. What you want to read about is England. Fabio Capello can drill his side all he likes, but when you get the kind of clanger Robert Green made, there is nothing any coach in the world can do other than drop the clown for the next game, which I am sure the manager will do. The texts were flying around. Mostly from Harv in Cape Town. 'Sign him up Wenger', followed by an 'Almunia for England'. Harv backed the draw at 3-1 as did Ivan Merc, a Russian Gooner who emails me regularly. I had a feeling they'd be right but haven't had enough time online to start betting on these finals, except for a 15-1 bet on Nigeria making the last four I put on months ago. The Rustenburg match was a cracking game for incident though. Feels like the finals have taken off in terms of drama, in contrast to Friday. And a special mention for Capello for yanking off Milner after 30 minutes. Not playing well and on a yellow card. The manager could see what was coming and made the change before the referee removed him from the encounter via a second yellow card. Now that's management and thinking on your feet during a football match. Arsene's substitutions are so predictable they have become a tired joke.

The Argentina game was also a good watch. I don't think Maradona's team can go all the way because the defence really doesn't seem to cope with danger all that well. Nigeria had plenty of chances. Argentina have the players to win the tournament, but I am afraid - even if he might be a good motivator - Maradona is not a great manager. They are not organised or disciplined enough to win the tight games against the top sides, although they will doubtless qualify from their group after their opening game win. Maradona himself is great entertainment in his technical area. I can see him being dismissed to the stand before his team go out, probably in the last 30 minutes of the match they do.

Sunday evening is Germany v Australia, following a mooch around Durban. It's been a relaxing Saturday, but we now have five games in five days. After Durban, there follows Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Nelspruit and Polokwane. I can't even remember who we will be watching where after the Durban game. The fixture list just kind of merges into a conglomerous lump in my mind until I consult our printed out schedule.

One final note before I forget. At Friday night's France v Uruguay game, I was using my binoculars when there were corners at the far end, and I spotted a press snapper using the kind of mini digital camera you and I would use on holiday. There he was behind the hoardings near the goal, lined up with all the other snappers and their phallic zoom lens attachments. And although his digital camera was on a tripod, it was just some tiny thing that would fit in your pocket. Don't know if anyone caught this guy on TV. He was at the end France attacked in the second half, nearest the goal on the right wing side. He must have had full accreditation to be there, but what kind of photo agency or newspaper sends a photographer along to the World Cup Finals game with a piece of equipment more suited to taking pics at a kids' birthday party? Surreal.