World Cup 2010 - Last Group Match
It has not been a great World Cup so far. The consolation is that Asian teams and the weaker teams are getting better. The Latins continue to play with flair and with the exception of Dear Leader's men caving in to the Portuguese which makes me suspect that they are seeking asylum, the games have largely been uninspired with only a few good games. Well, at least where teams have to go in to win, it opens up a whole new dimension by now with more to come in the knock out stage.
Mexico 0 Uruguay 1
Both teams play lively soccer and therefore enjoyable to watch. The Mexicans can run rings around their opponents but need greater finishing. Meantime, Uruguay has been growing in confidence and will give anyone a good game. Topping the group will see them meeting South Korea on Saturday. They should be favourites to reach the Quarter-finals.
France 1 South Africa 2
These are the to teams I picked to go through but was completely off the mark. I picked them because France is a pedigree team and South Africa though suspect are the host and they nearly made it. My golf form has been poor of late but at least I fell short of fighting with myself internally like the French. They were shambolic to say the least. Gourcuff who is their new Zidane was favoured by the coach Raymond Domenech but not his mates and he succeeded in getting himself sent off to confirm the demise of his team. When he refused the handshake of South Africa's Brazilian coach Carlos Pereira, he summed it all up. They have taken over the Dutch as in-fighting champions. Au Revoir. I dedicate this lovely song to these teams:
Africa by Toto
Greece 0 Argentina 2
I always love Argentina soccer over so many years. There is something sexy about the Tango. You know biting a rose with your lips and those sexy dance moves. The epitome of it is seen in Lionel Messi whom I have said umpteen times that he is the best when others were clamouring Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, etc. Not that others are not good but Messi is from another planet. He plays with such a joy and always without petulance even when man-handled. Stringing passes through a sea of legs after weaving past a few defenders effortlessly is a gift that cannot be taught. While others manufactured and trained fancy tricks, Messi's game is simple and instinctive. He has been the only bright spark in this tournament and I hope he goes all the way to cement it and have his name cast in stone. This is why I picked them to go through despite their poor pre-World Cup qualifying rounds. Meeting Mexico, the Argentinians and Messi would be able to play with the same fluency to ensure a great game.
Nigeria 2 South Korea 2
The Kim Chi Warriors are really something. They are not only Asia's best but I picked them to go through for their sheer qualities of fighting spirit, their belief and the ability to mix it up with the best. Do not be surprise if the Koreans shock and awe when they face an in-form Uruguay especially after that drubbing from the Argentines.
USA 1 Algeria 0
When the Slovenians edged Algeria narrowly, they were a bit fortunate. Then when the USA held England, people start condemning England. No doubt the English didn't play too well but few recognised that the Americans are a very good team and a very difficult team to play. They are fast, physical and they never gave up. Two down to Slovenia, they came clawing back to draw. They could ave lost it but Landon Donovan scored in the 91st minute of injury time to sealed their next encounter with Ghana. It is time for change as Obama said. They must now believe they have a good chance to the Quarters.
Slovenia 0 England 1
What a difference a day made! Enjoy this threesome. Audiophiles would love the arrangement and vocals.
This was what England should have done in the first two games! You get my points on what I thought they should have done and Mr. Capello has listened. James Milner, Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe were introduced. The Three Kittens became Three Lions and roar again! Maybe not entirely a roar but you could hear the growl. The fear was gone and the mind is free and that was the difference. The spirit was good! Why was the spirit good? Don Fabio decided that it was okay to have some beer the night before under controlled environment to relax and yes that was the spirit - beer! It does the trick and suddenly the English are happy again. Never underestimate the power! Cheers!
Latins can have sex but the English has got nothing this time and you get bored and cagey. Beer helps you relax a bit and takes away some fear. After some beer, you do not fear the bunkers, the water hazards and the OB marks in golf anymore. It's the magic elixir. I mean, anyone who can go for a week without drinks are really camels. I met S. Rajagopal a few years ago and he told me he had to drink before Singapore games to play his best. On a more serious note, here is my report card for everybody's favourite team:
Defence
David James at goal brought the confidence back. He didn't have to make any big saves but his handling throughout the night was immaculate. That's how goalkeeping should be like. No clangers. Glen Johnson was a mixed bag of goodies and boobies. Fluent in attack combining so well with Milner but he got an unnecessary yellow card. This is what I meant when both Johnson and Ashley Cole joins the attack. Cole looks dangerous whenever he ventured forth. Except for one short pass that was waylaid, John Terry was outstanding and Matthew Upson stood his ground but I felt Upson looks less comfortable on the left side which should be Terry's. Both made some telling tackles and Terry could have scored form a corner.
Midfield
I learned that Milner has just recovered from flu when he played against the USA. When his name appeared to start, there were both hope and despair. In the first fifteen minutes, he looked like his legs was laden with lead and set to repeat it. Then the despair dissipated and hope emerged when he made the cross for Defoe's shin pad to score. Milner grew in confidence and did not put a foot wrong. Most of his crosses were good and effective and could have given England a few goals. England must put SWP, Lennon and Walcott through training by watching and learning from Milner. Frank Lampard was at least now strutting around and making better passes. Still not at the top of his ability but coming along fine. Steven G, ah yes, he was involved with every England movement. That is the Gerrard we know. Getting the ball, passing, prompting, crossing. Now we know Rooney's best partner is not Heskey nor Joe Cole, it is Gerrard - a player who could play at his level in their movement. Gareth Barry to me was a little disappointing. Holding the anchor at midfield fairly well, he seemed a bit short of fitness and speed.
Attack
Rooney, oh Rooney, where art thou Rooney? To be fair to him, we are getting to get a glimpse of the real Rooney. His confidence is coming back. He didn't panic and bid his time when he calmly made a measured pass through 3 defenders for Gerrard to score but alas Stevie chose to place his shot instead of shooting and the goalie fumbled and recovered to save. He was more purposeful and his touches were better. Defoe's presence gave England pace so lacking during Heskey's time. It also meant that the opponent has to cope with another fast "goal-scorer' giving Rooney some much needed breathing space. If Heskey were there, they can just throw 2 defenders at Rooney and leave Heskey alone after all he just scored one goal for England in 8 years so his next goal could come in 2014. To be fair, Heskey has always played well in what he was supposed to do but you saw the goal from Defoe, even his shin pad could score. Defoe is quick and nippy and above all, he is a goal scorer even if you do not consider him a footballer. The towering Slovenian defender could not stop him.
Now you saw the difference. England came out to play to win. They dominated, played with more passion and purpose and most of all without the fear and a free mind. I thought Gerrard and Rooney's inter-play was brilliant and will trouble opponents.
Australia 2 Serbia 1
The Socceroos were not good enough based on the end result but I beg to differ. It was the opening German game that hurt them. I mean even the Germans lost to to the Serbs but the Aussies had them beaten and they held Ghana. They could have made it.
Ghana 0 Germany 1
Ghana made it by the skin of their teeth. They will be meeting the Americans to set up an interesting physical game. Ghana is a strong team with good defence but they lack a good striker. Germany was calm and played to get a require result.
Denmark 1 Japan 3
Banzai! This is a shocker. Denmark has been a good team but it took an Asian team Japan to hit them. This World Cup has given proof that Asian teams of Japan and South Korea can rub shoulders with the Africans and Europeans. A super result for the Samurais.
Cameroon 1 Holland 2
It seems so easy for Holland to get the results - winning all their games and extended their unbeaten run to 21 games. Could this be the Oranje's best World Cup yet culminating in glory?
Paraguay 0 New Zealand 0
Paraguay 0 New Zealand 0
When I saw the Kayway (Kiwi) All Whites turning out in all black, I feared that they might just do the "Hakka" and take the Jabulani ball with their hands and run with it. All the so called weaker teams Korea, Japan and Australia have lost a game but NZ stood tall to remain unbeaten against Paraguay, Slovakia and defending champs Italy! Slovakia could beat Italy but not NZ. It has been an incredible journey for the Kiwis considering that they ranked low and rated just about the same or below even North Korea. They should be knighted.
Slovakia 3 Italy
They came to live. It was a pulsating game but Italy was just plenty short palying as defending champions. Did the Azzuris won the last World Cup because they were good or that the rest were just poor? Kudos to Slovakia!
North Korea v Ivory Coast
With one point their For and Against at 1-3 (that's minus 2) and Portugal's four points with For and Against at 7-0, not only must Ivory Coast win but they will need to hope for the Portuguese to lose (let's say minimum one goal) but they need to win 8-0 meaning Didier Drogba have to contribute at least 5. If Dear Leader's men crumble big time again, they will have not their faces but their heads rearranged. Ivory Coast will probably win and bow out.
With one point their For and Against at 1-3 (that's minus 2) and Portugal's four points with For and Against at 7-0, not only must Ivory Coast win but they will need to hope for the Portuguese to lose (let's say minimum one goal) but they need to win 8-0 meaning Didier Drogba have to contribute at least 5. If Dear Leader's men crumble big time again, they will have not their faces but their heads rearranged. Ivory Coast will probably win and bow out.
Portugal v Brazil
The Pretenders v the Real McCoy. The Portuguese play a bit like Brazil and the last time they did in a friendly in Rio Cristiano Ronaldo talked of humbling the Masters and ended up with not just egg but ketchup on his face as they got thrashed 6-2. While it will not be 6-2 and Brazil only narrowly defeated the PKR 2-1 while Portugal trounced them 7-0, this is a different game. Brazil is already through and won't want more injuries. Ditto the Portuguese but I don't think both teams wish to meet Spain at the next stage but that depends on Spain v Chile and Switzerland v Honduras.
Switzerland v Honduras
Switzerland v Honduras
If the Swiss beats Honduras they will have 6 points. Honduras is already out and have nothing to pl;ay for except pride. The Swiss have a chance. With their goal difference at 1-1 they need to win with more goals just in case.
Chile v Spain
Chile has 6 points (For and Against at 2-0) and are through but Spain on 3 points must win with a current goal difference at 2-1. If they win by at least a goal and the Swiss wins by the same margin, Spain goes through. Chile will play for a draw to top the group to avoid Brazil presuming Brazil does not lose.
I shall soon offer you an insight into the last 16.
Have yourself a great Jabulani weekend!
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