World Cup 2010 - First Round - 2nd Matches
After every team has gotten their first game done with, the inevitable will happen. They can't play it too safe and wait till the last game to get a result. That is when you will see more action, surprises, drama, excitement.
South Africa v Uruguay
Bafana Bafana is now facing a real and distinct prospect of being the first host nation to go out from the first round. Diego Forlan led the line well with 2 goals when he couldn't score more for Manchester United. The 0-3 loss for the host is too much. Uruguay just need a draw with Mexico to condemn France as retribution for Henry's hand ball that knocked out Ireland in qualification. The latter would have provided more competition. France has taken over Holland in their internal strife.
Greece v Nigeria
Nigeria could not have asked for a better start after losing narrowly to Argentina. Greece only came out to play after trailing and even more so when they smelt blood after the dismissal of a Nigerian player. Nigerian goalie Enyeama made countless saves with even one being a one-handed delivery from a cross. Some clubs would be lining up to sign him. When he finally spilled a saved shot resulting in Greece's winner, you really feel for him. Greece could play and only if they had done the same with Korea. 2-1.
Argentina v South Korea
The Koreans appeared to be overawed by the Argentinians' pedigree. They weren't as gutsy as when they faced Greece. They should have clawed their way back after Argentina gifted them a goal. The Korean goalie made some fine saves and Messi continued to be outstanding creating the goals. Hattrick hero Gonzalo Higuaian couldn't have asked for an easier hattrick - all tap-ins, one after the ball ricochetted off a post and two easy headers. Even Maradona's son-in-law joined in the fun and actually this bloke Sergio Aguero is a more skilful player than the one he replaced. You see, the Argentines clicked when Veron is not playing. Argentina like I have mentioned earlier is one of those who could win the cup outside of Brazil and Spain. Some folks may not like Maradona as a person but I find him to be a cute fellow. Just watch him whenever Argentina scores. He's as passionate as a little boy. 4-1. I have mentioned about peaking at the right time and this is the Argentina who got thrashed 1-6 by Bolivia and laboured and struggled during qualification only to make it on the last day.
France v Mexico
Au Revoir as I have predicted and even I have overestimated them thinking that they will at least go through and then get knocked out. It truly confirmed that they are not at peace. With the kind of quality at their disposal, it defies logic. Give credit to Mexico who has always been an attractive team to watch. As I have said earlier, the team is having problems with internal strife. 0-2. All Mexico and Uruguay have to do is to play a cautious game which would most likely be a draw and the French will be out no matter what they do.
Germany v Serbia
When Germany won their opening game, few realised that they were playing at zero altitude at sea level. The Serbs were unfortunate to have lost their game but with their top-scorer Klose sent off the Serbs scored shortly. Now the Germans got to face Ghana without Klose. Another favourite in a tight spot. Can they pull it off?
USA v Slovenia
From two down they fought back to equalise. This required extraordinary efforts in a World Cup game. I told you the USA is a very good team. Slovenia, a nation of two million is proving a hard nut to crack. England could find their nemesis if their pain is not enough.
England v Algeria
England had the best qualifying rounds ever and have players like Lampard and Rooney just recording their best goals tally for the season ended. Rooney was injured at the tail end and may have his form been affected? If they played a poor game v USA, then this match was terrible. The Three Kittens, er...I mean the Three Lions could not play. Their best player was goalie David James. Full-backs Johnson and Cole continued to be pinned back and not going forward. Gerrard does not help by drifting into a central position which put Cole under pressure and unable to venture forth.
Gerrard is a player who wants the ball to pass or shoot and playing wide left made him isolated. Terry wasn't quite himself and Carragher gave a reasonable account but because he is slow, his late challenges resulted in two yellows and automatic suspension. Now Capello has only Upson and Dawson to call upon. Lampard and Gerrard were poor despite Barry coming back. Aaron Lennon was fast but little else and Emile Heskey should not feature anymore hard as he had worked. He is too one dimensional and that aptly described England's game - one dimensional, playing without rhythm and a team without tempo and very much a one trick pony. If that is the case then Heskey is the biggest one trick pony making it so predictable for opponents to read the game.
Only when Defoe came in did they have more pace and why again SWP in place of Lennon? I have asked for Joe Cole to be selected, to start, to come on in but we've not seen him. He has the skills and ideas to open up games. The worst performer was Wayne Rooney. He is either still injured, haven't got over his injury or lacking comeback match fitness (only 80% fit?) or playing out of position. He was entirely out of pace, always a second slower to the ball, wandering back to midfield to get the ball but was entirely anonymous. Mind you this happened over two games. Was it tactical reasons which led to such frustrations?
Different camps of Chelsea, Liverpool, etc? You can see them labouring in frustration. Frankly, when Capello named his squad, I felt something was wrong in that if he found inadequacies, he should have gotten players to join in during qualification and not last minute attempts to lure back Ledley King, Jamie Caragher and also tried Paul Scholes. It's like your boss bringing back your ex colleagues to head the most important project in years after all your hard work and sacrifice. I am writing in hope rather than conviction that with their back to the wall England will come good and make it to the next round because they are playing without conviction and no belief. Let's see what Capello and England are made of.
If the top heirachy in England are serious, they had better do a revamp of the entire system from their youngsters to the league. EPL makes for best TV viewing because of its style of pace and power but this is the World Cup. How many more years are England fans to suffer? Maybe England should foreget the wingers that could not cross and paly a 4-5-1 with Matthew Upson replacing the suspended Carragher and intoduce Joe Cole and Michael Carrick to midfield with Barry as anchor and Lampard. Give Gerrard a free role just behind Rooney. Heskey must sit out as the main criteria of a striker is to score goals. A chef must cook and not there just to wash vegetables. Alternatively, bring in Defoe who will provide pace, put Joe Cole on the left and he would be better than Milner, SWP, Lennon and Gerrard. One thing I could not understand was why did the England fans booed at their own team especially Rooney? I mean they should have started earlier and not wait till late in the second half! These people paid a fortune to cheer their millionaires' team. Rooney's salary can feed an entire PRK team ore more.
Gerrard is a player who wants the ball to pass or shoot and playing wide left made him isolated. Terry wasn't quite himself and Carragher gave a reasonable account but because he is slow, his late challenges resulted in two yellows and automatic suspension. Now Capello has only Upson and Dawson to call upon. Lampard and Gerrard were poor despite Barry coming back. Aaron Lennon was fast but little else and Emile Heskey should not feature anymore hard as he had worked. He is too one dimensional and that aptly described England's game - one dimensional, playing without rhythm and a team without tempo and very much a one trick pony. If that is the case then Heskey is the biggest one trick pony making it so predictable for opponents to read the game.
Only when Defoe came in did they have more pace and why again SWP in place of Lennon? I have asked for Joe Cole to be selected, to start, to come on in but we've not seen him. He has the skills and ideas to open up games. The worst performer was Wayne Rooney. He is either still injured, haven't got over his injury or lacking comeback match fitness (only 80% fit?) or playing out of position. He was entirely out of pace, always a second slower to the ball, wandering back to midfield to get the ball but was entirely anonymous. Mind you this happened over two games. Was it tactical reasons which led to such frustrations?
Different camps of Chelsea, Liverpool, etc? You can see them labouring in frustration. Frankly, when Capello named his squad, I felt something was wrong in that if he found inadequacies, he should have gotten players to join in during qualification and not last minute attempts to lure back Ledley King, Jamie Caragher and also tried Paul Scholes. It's like your boss bringing back your ex colleagues to head the most important project in years after all your hard work and sacrifice. I am writing in hope rather than conviction that with their back to the wall England will come good and make it to the next round because they are playing without conviction and no belief. Let's see what Capello and England are made of.
If the top heirachy in England are serious, they had better do a revamp of the entire system from their youngsters to the league. EPL makes for best TV viewing because of its style of pace and power but this is the World Cup. How many more years are England fans to suffer? Maybe England should foreget the wingers that could not cross and paly a 4-5-1 with Matthew Upson replacing the suspended Carragher and intoduce Joe Cole and Michael Carrick to midfield with Barry as anchor and Lampard. Give Gerrard a free role just behind Rooney. Heskey must sit out as the main criteria of a striker is to score goals. A chef must cook and not there just to wash vegetables. Alternatively, bring in Defoe who will provide pace, put Joe Cole on the left and he would be better than Milner, SWP, Lennon and Gerrard. One thing I could not understand was why did the England fans booed at their own team especially Rooney? I mean they should have started earlier and not wait till late in the second half! These people paid a fortune to cheer their millionaires' team. Rooney's salary can feed an entire PRK team ore more.
The Socceroos performance was gutsy against a tough Ghana. 1-1. They have now gotten a goal and a point. Australia despite having just a point can still have a shot at glory if they won their next game but it will ve very tough considering their goal difference.
Netherlands v Japan
Sometimes, teams that do not play so well and yet win could be champions in the making. Of late, I haven't seen "total football". These days, results are all that matter so you will see the dutch playing cautiously, Brazil playing more like a continental team rather than indulge themselves with scintillating moves. The seasoned Japanese goalie made a fumble that again throws up questions about the Jabulani ball. 1-0.
Cameroon v Denmark
The Danish are good and worthy and I think they will make it past to the next round in their last game against Japan. They are well organised and Cameroon has been a let down. 1-2.
Slovakia v Paraguay
Paraguay is crusising after this 2-0 victory which is not surprising considering that they were the best team in the first half of South American qualifications. Like Chile, Uruguay, Mexico, Paraguay is one of those teams that can make the World Cup exciting.
Italy v New Zealand
When I said that this Italian is poor, I never expected them to be this bad. They joined the ranks of France and England to see who will get the dubious honour by next week. New Zealand ought to be very proud of themselves having drawn both games and scored two goals. Paraguay just needed a draw to be sure but Italy might still get through by winning. 1-1.
Brazil v Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
I watched Brazil and I am very impressed. Ivory Coast is not an easy team to play as they are fast and tough and have the skills to match many teams but you can see that Brazil was in contorl of the game. Kaka was not at his best after an injury-proned season but Luis Fabiano showed what a class act he can be with two well-taken goals. With Brazil through, Kaka's red card will just give him more rest. Brazil was good all round but when Drogba scored late on to make the score 3-1, he showed that Brazilian defence could be breached.
I didn't get it here. They gave the real masters Brazil a tough time but they melted into oblivion against their pretenders. 7-0 is a 2010 record. Dear Leader's jaw has touched the ground and may be they should be buying a house each perhaps in lovely Capetown. Kelong? PRK just completely caved in.
Chile v Switzerland
Chile was the better team but the Swiss were stout and defiant. They are through with six points while Spain and the Swiss has three a piece. Honduras will battle harder than Chile but both Spain and the Swiss can both win and equal them on points. Still some work to do. 1-0.
Spain v Honduras
2-0 to Spain who just go about their usual game. David Villa got a brace to continue his amazing scoring rate for Spain.
In the first matches, the winners were the referees, the colourful spectators and the vuvuzelas. The second matches has thrown out question marks. Were the vuvuzelas too loud? Should the Jabulani be renamed as Bolalari (ball that runs)? It happened again to Nigeria and Japan. Holland is not playing total football, Brazil is not playing Brazilian samba soccer and only England is playing English soccer and been the most consistent team. You bet on them to win and they didn't then you say ok next game is even easier they will win and they drew. Finally, you get so frustrated you bet that they will not win and then they win. I shall write a blueprint to help England to finally really win the World Cup one day and I won't ask for 6 million pounds like they are paying Don Fabio. Just one will do. I am doing this also because England has been so bad, I fancy Singapore have a chance against it.
Only two teams are playing like they should - Argentina and Brazil with the former playing with fervour and joy while the latter is playing with Continental efficiency. Teams like France and England should learn from unfancied teams like New Zealand how to behave and play like a team.
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