World Cup 2010 - First Round Part 2

I saw the Dutch team jersey, it has the largest numbers ever on a soccer jersey that I have ever seen spread across almost the entire back. Or was it part of the design? This is unfair advantage for the journalists and commentators who are doing their job at the top of their viewing box because they may get it wrong with other teams but not the Dutch. The Dutch are smart people. Meanwhile, Portugal's white jersey design with bold coloured stripes in the middle makes someone asked me if it was 100 Plus.

Last week, a group of old friends from the school days band musicians were talking about coming together for a jam. I can't help thinking about Rolling Stones rocking in their 60s with their apertures sagging due to loss of teeth. While I was thinking this, Air Supply came on TV on an advert promoting their coming performance. They must have been here umpteen times. They seemed to have really aged and appeared grasping for...yes...air supply. I can't forget the day when an ex colleague argued that Air Supply's lead singer is a female due to Russell Hitchcock's soaring tenor voice and during those days we were youtubeless and where the once a week Solid Gold which featured the latest artistes has not arrived. The other guy with the guitar of course is Briton Graham Russell. I can contribute and join the band if someone can hand me a vuvuzela.

Meanwhile Franz Beckenbauer criticised England's hit and rush performance. I do not know if he said it before or after Germany's game or maybe he had forgotten that out of Germany's 4 goals, three were scored but Miroslav Klose (Polish), Lucas Podolski (Polish) and Cacau (Brazilian) but he has a point. The flood of foreigners and over-expensive English players may have caused lesser opportunities for home grown talents. England need to start them young and teach them how to be ball players.

Maradona responded to Pele's statement that he (Maradona) is coach because he needs a job and money by saying Pele should "go back to the museum" and then on Platini's questioning his ability as a coach by saying that "we all know how the French are and Platini is French", "he believes he is better than the rest". Cute fellow.

Holland v Denmark

Denmark has a sound team with a tidy defence. It was unfortunate for Poulsen's own goal as I thought he had a good game. It was a drab game in the first half. I didn't see any evidence of a potential champion here nor great players. 2-0 for Holland was a bit of flatter.

Japan v Cameroon

Another scrappy game, what's new? I am happy that another Asian team has won 1-0 courtesy of Honda-san.

Italy v Paraguay

For this I have to say that England had a better result because Italy are defending champions and USA is a stronger competitor than Paraguay. 1-1 and they nearly lost.

New Zealand v Slovakia

The All Whites from Rugby's All Blacks did not show any inferiority in their play. You must remember that Slovakia was part of the former Czechoslovakia and therefore is a good team. The fact that the equaliser came in the last few seconds of injury time spoke volumes for New Zealand. And if Honda scored for Japan in the other game, Vittek scored for Slovakia. Free advert for Honda and their Vitec engines.

Ivory Coast v Portugal

0-0. Another dull game played with a bit more quality and at a higher tempo. Nothing to shout about. Yawn. :(

Brazil v North Korea

Dunga's Brazil is not the same Brazil. I told you earlier that Maicon is special but his goal - was it his skill or the Jabulani's decision. Maybe both. The fact that North Korea scored said something. People forgot that they are also Koreans except that maybe Dear Leader may have them shot if the score were 3-0 to Brazil. It also means that you can score against Brazil if the 105th ranked team could despite a defensive formation.

Honduras v Chile

Well, a slightly better game here. At least Chile played some quality stuff. They have always been an attacking team so kudos to them. Do not be surprise if they give a shock result later.

Spain v Switzerland

The Swiss were well organised and they had to be against the top dog. At some point, the Spaniards were having 70% of possession. The defensively sound Swiss held the fort and broke down Spanish flair to get an odd goal to win against all odds. Who says it can't be done. As I have told you, Spain is faultless with their passing game and all round strength but they can get impatient and feel anxiety as a game drags on. Among the European teams they are the smaller cousins where even I can feel proud and confident standing beside Xavi and Iniesta as I look slightly down at them.

First Game Round Up

Yawn. Send in the clowns. We are so far lacking entertainment. The terrace is more interesting with colourful faces and the vuvuzelas blasting away. It is to be expected. Even seasoned pros have butterflies in their tummies as anxiety builds up and in any first games, it it more important for teams not to lose than to win. Playing at high altitude will also take a toll on them as it is harder to breathe and takes longer to recover. Besides, it has always been a summer World Cup but these games are now played in winter conditions. The Jabulani does not help based on the action so far and players' comments. Lionel Messi must have the best ball control and in his usual polite demeanour did not criticise the ball but said that the ball take some getting used to. You saw the Green blunder then Algeria's goalie's slip. New Zealand goalie came off the line, took the ball with his feet and before he could clear it, somehow the ball appeared to swerve or bounce ever so gingerly that he just kicked the skin of the ball with the skin of his boots. All the outfield players were ballooning the ball even in dead ball situation from free-kicks by skilled exponents, they don't seemed to control their shots well. There was even a rumour that the Germans had trained with the ball for four months, the ball being developed by adidas. Any truth? So far, I give the man-of-the-match vote to the man of the match - which is the referee. They have been top notch.

England

On many people's favourite team, Capello surprised us a little when he did not introduced new players in the squad during qualifiers. Quite a few names came in late and as with cars these days, some were recall of old models. He possibly could not find enough quality when he tried to recall Paul Scholed who declined and Jamie Carragher. He took Rio Ferdinand who hardly features for Manchestre United. Ledley King, a possible liability. It is interesting to see now how he is going to manage the situation as in who is he going to play in goal. Give a chance and keep faith in Robert Green, play the experience David James or the inexperienced but in-from Joe Hart? Who to replace Ledley King? Jamie Carrgher - experienced but slow? Michael Dawson who was outstanding for Spurs but a newcomer? Or the in between fellow Matthew Upson of West Ham? 


The good news is that gareth Barry is in. Not spectacular or as gifted, Barry is the one able to hold the ball and link defence to attack allowing Gerrard and Lampard freedom to roam more. Heskey played well but why would you want a striker as canon fodder just to feed play? A striker must be someone who can score! It is time to give a chance to Jermaine Defoe. With his speed and instincts, Defoe on his day is more than a match for any defence. He scored a beauty against Holland in a warm up. Bring him on and set him loose. James Milner will sit it up when Barry comes in with Lennon likely to keep his place. Hope Joe Cole could come in later to show what he could do.

England fans, if you look at their performance versus the USA and the result then look at the other games which ended in draws or like Spain a shocking loss and that perhaps England has played their strongest opponent in their group, you may be feeling a bit better. But England being England and like my golf, tend to make things more difficult, interesting and exciting for themselves, so be wary. Take your medicine dutifully if you have heart issues or high blood pressure.

Second Games

Now that we have done with the first matches, it its about time the games will open up for the second matches. Those who have lost must win, those who drew can't really afford another draw where their fate is dependent on others and even for those who have won, there is no guarantee that they will win again. There should be more excitement, more climaxes henceforth.

South Africa is in danger of being the first host nation never to have qualified for the second round after a 0-3 thrashing by Uruguay. Unmotivated France may not find it easy against the skilful Mexicans who lacks finishing. Argentina need to step up a gear as they will not find the South Koreans in friendly mood especially after the Koreans emphatic 2-0 win over Greece. Greece will be in a spot facing a Nigeria who has no more ground to lose. England must absolutely win against Algeria and with Gareth Barry featuring it should free Gerrard and Lampard to do what they can do best which is to attack. If they can't, then they have to wait to see who spill more balls. Slovenia is in a good position but the USA is no lame ducks. Germany will find Serbia a different cup of tea from the Aussies. 

Netherlands will need to stamp their class as the Japanese are on a high. Ghana is in an advantageous position but the Aussies has nothing to lose now. Both Cameroon and Denmark were hard done by their opponents and hope to bounce back. Italy are favourites but New Zealand has shown they are capable of more than running with an olive-shaped ball with their equaliser against Slovakia. Slovakia and Paraguay both need a win an attacking game may be on the cards. Brazil may find the Ivory Coast a harder nut to crack than the North Koreans. Portugal may find out that the North Koreans could do more damage than they did to Brazil and will be weary of the 5-3 victory they had after trailing 0-3 as revenge is on the minds of Dear Leader's men. Spain, strong contenders as they are will be happy their next opponent is Honduras and not Chile. Even strong teams and players can sometimes have doubts in their minds when things don't go their way. Chile needs a win more than the Swiss as their next game is up against Spain.

More surprises galore? You bet!