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It’s been a slow start lacking spectacular matches in the poule round. There has been low scoring matches, goalkeeper gaffes, some great goals scored and astute defending play by many nations. Examples of defensive play are Paraguay, Uruguay, Denmark and North Korea. Poor performance by the World Cup holder Italy, Spain, Portugal, England and overall the African nations. Which nations will reach the last 4?
Big upsets:
Switzerland – Spain 1-0 * Spain could face Brazil in knock-out round
Japan – Cameroon 1-0
The beautiful Spanish sports reporter Sara Carbonero was nearby her boyfriend Casillas during the warming-up ahead of the match against Switzerland. Just enough of a distraction for Casillas and the 1-0 loss?
As a grand finale after the match, Casillas was interviewed on television to explain to his 25-year-old girlfriend and reporter for station Telecinco how he had botched the game. It brought him visible embarrassment in front of the cameras.
See also my previous diary – Conservatives Hate Obama and the World Cup
Great stuff:
South Africa – Mexico 1-1
England – USA 1-1
Argentina – Nigeria 1-0
Paraguay – Italy 1-1
Holland – Denmark 2-0
Germany – Australia 4-0
Smaller nations’ surprise:
Ivory Coast – Portugal 1-1
New Zealand – Slovakia 1-1
North Korea goal scored against Brazil
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A very disappointing team France is virtually out of the World Cup tournament after a defeat against the Central American surprise showing of Mexico. Its fans outsang their French counterparts in the stadium and the players made a great effort on the field.
France – Mexico 0-2
The next surprise was the second defeat in as many matches for the strong African nation Nigeria. The latter did score first, but one of its players did not control his emotions and made a kicking offense towards a Greece player during stoppage and was sent off. Greece scored once before half time and finished off with a second goal (penalty) in the match: their first ever goals scored in World Cup history and first victory of course.
Greece – Nigeria 2-1
June 17 – photo’s
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence.".
The 2nd stage for qualifications sets up the interesting quarter final matches, e.g. possibilities:
Uruguay – England
Netherlands – Spain/Brazil
Argentina – Germany
Paraguay – Ivory Coast/Portugal
I will make the following (long shot) prediction of the final 4:
Uruquay – Netherlands – Argentina – Paraquay
This would be a large representation of South American teams (southern hemisphere) which have impressed me the most. There are some tough match-ups expected along the way. Uruguay and Paraguay have impressed me with their solid defensive play, the Netherlands and Argentina have strong offenses and a well balanced team. Germany, Brazil and Spain are of course strong contenders for the finals, however I suspect they will be surprised in the knock-out stage.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence.".
In an even match between Germany and a small nation Serbia, a match decision may have occurred in the first half. For a dumb offense by attacker Miroslav Klose mid-field he got a second yellow card and therefore red in the 36th minute of the match. Within 2 minutes, Serbia scored and may force Germany in a first defeat. Live
Half-time Germany – Serbia 0-1
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence.".
In the second half the German side received a penalty gift from a Serb defender who made a dumb and unnecessary hands foul inside the box. German scoring ace Podolski placed a hard, low shot in the corner that was stopped by the Serb goalkeeper. The final score in a match with many mean fouls and yellow cards … Germany 0, Serbia 1.
Milan Jovanovic sinks 10-man Germany
One can often criticize the referee, IMO the Spanish referee Alberto Undiano did an excellent job and punished the mean fouls, kicks to the ankles from behind, rightfully with a yellow card. Off you go Klose in the 36th minute of the match and a one match ban waiting.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence.".
Plenty of surprises in Group C. Ahead of the World Cup the experts decided two teams would handily go to the next round: England and the USA. As so often happens, no nation represented at such a tournament can be taken for granted. One has to be at the top of his game to survive the toughest competition. Slovenia is a small soccer nation, however it did beat Russia (coached by ) in a play-off match to qualify. Algeria has impressed me by beating Egypt in qualification. The 3rd game match-up will be: Slovenia – England and USA – Algeria.
Slovenia – USA 2-2 and a lot of buzz about a 3rd goal disallowed!
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence.".
GROUP E: The Netherlands, aka Orange clockwork, qualify for the next round …
Cameroon – Denmark 1-2
Netherlands – Japan 1-0
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."