17th of June: Preview

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?
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