So, after a couple of good games and I hate to be the voice of doom, but there is every chance we're in for a dour day.
Argentina v South Korea, Gp B, 12:30
Argentina take on South Korea in the 12.30 kick off. Both sides registered fairly impressive victories in the opening games (even though the Argies came up against the almost unbeatable Enyeama in the Nigerian goals.) Both know that a win will all but guarantee qualification, so should play the game looking to win, as apposed to 3/4 of the tournament games so far where teams have been aiming for a draw! The main talking point of the game will undoubtedly be 'El Diego'. Will he go with that grey suit again? Has he shaved since Saturday? Will he still play his favourite player (and lover as well, I reckon) Jonas Gutierez, a left winger, at right back? In all seriousness, with probably the best variety in attacking talent in the tournament, Argentina should have too much for the Koreans. Despite this, Park Ji Sung and co. showed they are a class outfit against Greece, so anything is possible. Definitely hoping that it thunders it down with rain, so that another late Martin Palermo winner for Argentina will provoke Maradona into a classic bellyflop in celebration.
France v Mexico, Gp A, 19:30
Mexico probably deserved to take more than a point from their first game against South Africa, but with the thunderbolt that squared it, I don't think many of us will grudge them a point. France are a team struggling to make up the sum of their parts. The team stumbled through a 0-0 draw against ten men Uruguay as Domenech made some quite frankly baffling decisions. Perhaps their star signs didn't match.. At least we'll have the sheer joy of seeing Cuauhtémoc Blanco still playing at 37, perhaps we'll even see some trickery.
Greece v Nigeria, Gp B, 15:00
A game which has every chance of being the worst game in world cup history. The only thing we can hope is that both teams will open up and go looking for a goal as their both desperate for a win.
But its Greece, and Kanu is older than my dad so its unlikely, right?
,
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Welcome, hello and we're not Adrian Chiles
Good evening,
Richard and I have been discussing the poor nature of the BBC/ITV's coverage of the world cup and frankly, we're unimpressed. So to make this simpler for you, don't watch the punditry, just read this instead. Seriously, it can't be worse.
South Africa 0 - 3 Uruguay
So today, I've been watching the South Africa and Uruguay game and I feel its right to show a large bit of appreciation for Diego Forlan. The man from Montevideo has shown his class in this game. From the thunderous strike (aided by a deflection, but still) to his steady boot as he cooly lashed in the winning penalty. A player that has won the golden shoe twice and is clearly the star of the Uruguay team.
I feel a bit sorry for South Africa but the sad fact is, that they simply lacked in quality. Dropping Benni McCarthy (whatever his attitude was like) seems to have robbed them of their most potent goal threat. Everytime the ball went forward towards Mphela, the ball was coming straight back. This game has really highlighted Pienaar's struggles as while Uruguay utilise Forlan's gifts to the max, South Africa have been unable to do the same with Pienaar.
Over to Richard for his comments on the earlier games;
Chile 1 - 0 Honduras
The Chile game was fairly good, as Chile are play an entertaining brand of football. They play an unorthodox attacking formation with plenty of pacey wide players, all of whom had no end product. Their best player was Alexis Sanchez, their right winger, who looks like he could easily do some damage. Honduras were terrible, as their limited technical ability was revealed. Apparently, 7 out of their 11 players are part timers playing in Honduras...and it showed. The game was mostly Chile, who could and probably should have won by three or four goals had taken their chances. Graeme would also like to add that the blokes in the pub I was in earlier were delighted that a Chilean defender was called Ponce.
Spain 0 - 1 Switzerland
Spain set up pretty much as Barcelona do, and aimed to play the usual 'perfect' football that delights the 'football purists'. Passy-passy-passy-through ball-wee flick-passy-passy... and the ball is still with Puyol. Switzerland and their tactical master (and twice European manager of the year) Ottmar Hitzfeld knew their game plan, so he set up with 4 at the back and two mobile, tough tackling defensive midfielders. The genius thing was that he still went with two up front, meaning that when they won possession rather than just empty the box like any Sunday League or small nation do, they had an out ball. The two front lads Derdiyok and Nkufo held it up really well, and they scored a sloppy counter attack goal.
Spain subbed on Torres, Navas and Pedro, but their game plan stayed the same, they could not break down Switzerland. Benaglio made a few good saves, Switzerland almost grabbed a second on the break again. Basically, 'total football' lost, I love it when that happens. Best player by a mile was Gokhan Inler as one of the defensive midfielders, he was everywhere, with loads of key blocks/interceptions, and useful when they had the ball.
And there we are. Check back for further updates on the games tomorrow.
(We also didn't mention, Manchester United, Vuvuzelas, our mobiles didn't ring, we didn't laugh at not being able to say Dutch team names, the ball, England and didn't complain about have to watch world cup games. I'm looking at you Mark Lawrenson.)
Richard and I have been discussing the poor nature of the BBC/ITV's coverage of the world cup and frankly, we're unimpressed. So to make this simpler for you, don't watch the punditry, just read this instead. Seriously, it can't be worse.
South Africa 0 - 3 Uruguay
So today, I've been watching the South Africa and Uruguay game and I feel its right to show a large bit of appreciation for Diego Forlan. The man from Montevideo has shown his class in this game. From the thunderous strike (aided by a deflection, but still) to his steady boot as he cooly lashed in the winning penalty. A player that has won the golden shoe twice and is clearly the star of the Uruguay team.
I feel a bit sorry for South Africa but the sad fact is, that they simply lacked in quality. Dropping Benni McCarthy (whatever his attitude was like) seems to have robbed them of their most potent goal threat. Everytime the ball went forward towards Mphela, the ball was coming straight back. This game has really highlighted Pienaar's struggles as while Uruguay utilise Forlan's gifts to the max, South Africa have been unable to do the same with Pienaar.
Over to Richard for his comments on the earlier games;
Chile 1 - 0 Honduras
The Chile game was fairly good, as Chile are play an entertaining brand of football. They play an unorthodox attacking formation with plenty of pacey wide players, all of whom had no end product. Their best player was Alexis Sanchez, their right winger, who looks like he could easily do some damage. Honduras were terrible, as their limited technical ability was revealed. Apparently, 7 out of their 11 players are part timers playing in Honduras...and it showed. The game was mostly Chile, who could and probably should have won by three or four goals had taken their chances. Graeme would also like to add that the blokes in the pub I was in earlier were delighted that a Chilean defender was called Ponce.
Spain 0 - 1 Switzerland
Spain set up pretty much as Barcelona do, and aimed to play the usual 'perfect' football that delights the 'football purists'. Passy-passy-passy-through ball-wee flick-passy-passy... and the ball is still with Puyol. Switzerland and their tactical master (and twice European manager of the year) Ottmar Hitzfeld knew their game plan, so he set up with 4 at the back and two mobile, tough tackling defensive midfielders. The genius thing was that he still went with two up front, meaning that when they won possession rather than just empty the box like any Sunday League or small nation do, they had an out ball. The two front lads Derdiyok and Nkufo held it up really well, and they scored a sloppy counter attack goal.
Spain subbed on Torres, Navas and Pedro, but their game plan stayed the same, they could not break down Switzerland. Benaglio made a few good saves, Switzerland almost grabbed a second on the break again. Basically, 'total football' lost, I love it when that happens. Best player by a mile was Gokhan Inler as one of the defensive midfielders, he was everywhere, with loads of key blocks/interceptions, and useful when they had the ball.
And there we are. Check back for further updates on the games tomorrow.
(We also didn't mention, Manchester United, Vuvuzelas, our mobiles didn't ring, we didn't laugh at not being able to say Dutch team names, the ball, England and didn't complain about have to watch world cup games. I'm looking at you Mark Lawrenson.)
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