FIFA World Cup: A balls up or a lame excuse?

The word Jabulani is something of a derogatory one at this World Cup.

According to some, it's as ghastly as those vile vuvuzelas which destroy any atmosphere at games.

It started out being called a nightmare for goalkeepers, although claims it caused England keeper Robert Green's embarrassment against the US were clearly false - it was dreadful goalkeeping rather than football manufacturing.

But now strikers have added their voices to the din - and there has been an inordinate number of shots sailing high over the goal from the world's best strikers.

Players agree it does more in the air than previous incarnations but many conveniently overlook the effect of altitude. But million-dollar footballers hould do better.

In the first round of matches, there were 298 shots with 131 on target, with Brazil the most attacking side with 26 shots and 10 on goal. New Zealand had eight shots against Slovakia with two on target, with the Ivory Coast the least attacking with five shots and one on target.

The altitude can also be blamed for players over-hitting passes which drift over the intended recipient, and goalkeepers have often been too over-zealous in their goal kicks and clearances, blasting them to the other end of the field.

Six of the 10 venues are on the high veldt, with Johannesburg 1700m above sea level and Rustenburg 1500m up. Any ball, regardless of the sport, reacts differently at altitude but it hasn't stopped a growing chorus of disapproval about Jabulani.

Brazilian striker Robinho was one of the latest saying: "The guy who designed this ball never played football."

Italian striker Giampaolo Pazzini said: "The balls are a disaster, both for goalkeepers and attackers. It moves so much and makes it difficult to control." All Whites midfielder Leo Bertos felt it was too convenient to blame the ball: "It's still perfectly round, just like all the other balls," he says. "It does move slightly differently than what you're used to but the main factor is altitude.

"I have kicked a [Jabulani] ball around a couple of times in Wellington but it doesn't move like it does here at altitude. When you hit it, it just seems to go up and up and up. It's quite weird and something we have to get used to."

Goalkeeper Mark Paston agrees: "I trained with it in Wellington and didn't have too many issues but, once it gets up to 1500 metres, it does unusual things on not just shots but crosses as well."

Players are used to different balls. Adidas balls are used in the Champions League, while the English Premiership uses Nike and other leagues a Puma.

Fifa have extremely tight regulations around weight and circumference but adidas have even stricter criteria. Fifa expect every ball to be between 420 and 445 grams. All Jabulani balls are 440 grams.

Interestingly, the Germans have been using Jabulani in the Bundesliga for six months and scored four goals in their opening match against Australia.

"A lot of passes and shots are being overhit," All Whites striker Chris Killen said. "The altitude plays some part but it's no advantage to either team."

If players continue to complain about the ball, perhaps they should spare a thought for players from yesteryear. They used to play with leather balls with a pig-skin bladder, which felt like cement when wet.

Reverting back to that might stop complaints about the current ball.