World Cup 2010 - First Round Up

Nelson Mandela

At 92, his family did not really wanted him to attend but he was willing to grace the occasion for his people for 15 minutes but alas this great man's tough life continues as if fighting apartheid in jail for 27 years isn't enough, he came out with forgiveness and now his beloved grand daughter died in a traffic accident which prevented his attendance. This is life.

South Africa v Mexico

This is the first World Cup in the African Continent and in South Africa. There were fears that South Africa may be the weakest host ever and the first host not to make it to the second round. They became more impressive only during the warm ups before the tournament. The host was pegged in their own half and only played better in the second half against the skillful Mexicans who lacked finishing touch. The opening goal by the host was a well taken beauty but the Mexican reply was a gift due to poor defending. 1-1. For at team at around 82nd place in FIFA rankings to take a point from one that is ranked about 19th isn't bad.

Uruguay v France

Though the game was quite fast, 0-0 must have been the worst game so far. Henry and Malouda did not start. Raymond Demenech continued to baffle and his team does not looked happy. Uruguay has a population of 3 million and this gives Singapore hope. They were fast but other than Diego Forlan, the last time they have someone really good was Enzo Francescoli. These two could go through but that makes the group really open.

Argentina v Nigeria

Messi confirmed his arrival with 5 or 6 shots saved by the Nigerian goalie. He was clearly the best player on display even at half pace. I still could not understand why Juan Roman Riquelme was left at home and Veron is there. Heinze's goal was a beauty. Other than that, they weren't very impressive. 1-0.

South Korea v Greece

A stunning performance by the Koreans playing with purpose and belief. This is how England should play. They remain Asia's best hope and we should really support them and hope they advance. 2-0. I told you that Park Ji Sung will score.

England v USA

For every body's favourite team, I'll give a bit more. Fabio Capello's decision to name his goalie 2 hours before the game to keep them on their toes resulted in Robert Green going on his knees to make that school boy error. No, saying school boy error is an insult to school boys. When gathering a back pass, one could go with one foot and one knee on the ground but for a shot, even one not perfectly struck, a goalie should spread himself fully on the ground if necessary with arms outstretched thus converting a two-foot area to cover into an eight-footer block just in case. This is especially so when you already received much complaints about the Jabulani ball which was reported to be unpredictable in swing and bounce. In fact, when doing a back pass, a defender should play it to the side out of range of the goal mouth just in case of goalie blunder when missing a kick so that it doesn't trickle into the net. For me, I'll just go for the in form player which is Joe Hart. What should England do now? Let Green continue and redeem himself? Drop him in favour of David James? Well, at least Green has the courage to face it and he only spilled a ball unlike BP.

England could not hope for a better start when Gerrard scored. I have never liked Heskey but I thought he must have played the game of his life winning every aerial ball, holding play up well and bringing others into play and creating the goal but he was never going to score when Lennon sent him through with a one-on-one which you and I could have buried but he chose power instead of placement and shot straight at Tim Howard. Rooney was allowed little room and was fouled whenever he got past his marker dropping back deep later in the second half. He should be playing much better if England wanted to progress. 


 was surprised to see James Milner started. He was Villa's best player and voted EPL's best young player and very good at U-21 but was a pale shadow of himself. Was he overawed by the occasion or by the speedy Americans? After a yellow card so early on from two badly-timed tackles, he is an instant red card liability and has to come off. We get even more perplexed when Shaun Wright-Philips came on and no Joe Cole again. SWP can be interesting but his final delivery has often been poor. Theo Walcott while being much the same on the final delivery may have been a greater impact player. On the right wing, Aaron Lennon was quiet until he got more of the ball after the interval. You could see his searing pace was giving hell to the US back line but again the crosses were found wanting. Gerrard had a good game but did not stamped his class and Lampard does not look like being at his best perhaps due to a more subdued defensive role.

Although he sometimes left a gap defensively, Glen Johnson was a constant thorn when going forward looking more like a winger than a defender. He was very effective and together with Lennon created chaos on the right wing but they need to float and time their crosses which are often too far wide on the ground or pumped too high causing Heskey and Rooney's inability to knock them forward and down. Ashey Cole was okay but could not show why he is one of the world's best left back because the USA successfully used Clinton Dempsey to pinned Cole back in his own half. Ledley King gave a reasonably good account but his old crocked knee maybe a problem. Jamie Carragher was a surprised call up let alone the entry. He was too slow almost giving away a goal and then soon a yellow card. His best days was when Liverpool won the UEFA where he could even stop one like Messi. John Terry showed why he can be so highly rated with a dependable and solid performance.

Finally, take heart. A draw is not the end of the world. People forgot that USA is a good strong team. They were fast, fit and strong. In last years' Confederations Cup they beat Spain 2-0. No one has beaten Spain for years for over 40 games and then led Brazil 2-0 before losing 2-3.

What Should England Do?

Continue with Green or introduce David James or Joe Hart? It's a no win situation. King may be out with a groin injury so who should do it? Matthew Upson who did play in the qualifiers or Spurs captain Michael Dawson? Not Carragher please. If need be, play Carragher at right back, push Glen Johnson to the right wing where he excels and switch Lennon to the left wing. With Gareth Barry back from injury and up for selection, keep Barry in the anchor postion in front of defence. Drop Lampard and Gerrard continues. 


Lamps and Gerrard are both attacking players and while you can give them instructions to take turns to attack or defend this may work a little early on but when the heat is turned up a notch, a player's natural instincts will take over and they could get caught attacking or they both become too conscious to hold back. England has to decide who is more important - Lampard or Gerrard to the overall balance of the team. Introduce Joe Cole on the left as he is a clever and skilful schemer who is definitely better then SWP and keep Lennon on the right. One thing is for sure, Rooney must up the ante if England have their hopes. The other option would be to keep Barry to the holding role, keep Lennon wide right, Joe Cole to the left and Lampard in the middle. Advance Gerrard's position in front of midfield playing just behind Rooney.

England seems to play with trepidation as if the England shirt weighs a tonne and do not seem to enjoy playing. They should go onto the pitch with confidence and just play their usual game like they did so well for their clubs which they have proven against top European competition and best players. Or was it opening game jitters and nerves? 1-1 wasn't the end of the world but if they don't buck up, it will be. England need to change their thinking that they "can try to win the world cup" and not "must win the world cup". What makes them think they can to so now when they could not in 44 years. Go on a match by match performance. Changing this thought pattern could help them relax a little.

Algeria v Slovenia

The Algeria goalie now has Green as his drinking buddy, fumbling a shot that goalies should save 9 out of 10 times. On this point alone, England are level with their next opponent. 0-1.

Germany V Australia

The Aussies started brightly and nearly scored early on. As I told you, the German are Germans. Podolski and Miroslav Klose wasn't having the best of seasons but when they put on a German shirt, they suddenly become world beaters. 4-0 and they gave notice of their intention to live up Gary Lineker's belief.

Serbia v Ghana

The first African win. A sort of small upset of the odds as the Serbs were favourites especially when the influential Michael Essien was ruled out.

First Round Up Verdict

All in all, a tamed affair and a tepid World Cup so far. 12 goals in 8 games that's 1.5 per game. When Germany is playing the most exciting soccer so far, you know something is missing. Most games have been quite boring thus far. Of course Spain and Brazil is coming up soon. We hope things will pick up steam after every team has played a second game. Tonight, Groups D, E, F, G, H commence. We are going to catch the likes of Holland, Brazil and Spain. Hopefully they will sparkle. By and large it has been a very boring, lame World Cup lacking in qualities. You see teams running around but all lacking soul or class. 1970, 1974 and 1982 were great World Cups. What now 2010? Cheers!

P.S. Why do we have to pay so much for this overated event?