Half time
Well its not exactly half way through the competition but today is day 11 of World Cup and the its just about completing 2 matches each of the group stages. Germany, Ecuador, England, Argentina, Holland, Portugal and Brazil are through to the Round of 16 with one game to spare.
I could not possibly see all the games due to work commitments and the 12:30 a.m starts are not convenient on a weekday but following are my comments on the games till now.
9th Jun
Germany 4 : 2 Costa Rica.
A great start to the World cup but the expected upset did not fructify. Plenty of goals and Paulo Wanchope lived upto his expectations. There was controversy before the start to as Jurgen Klinsmann decided to "rest" star player Michael Ballack. But Germany went through comfortably.
Poland 0 : 2 Ecuador
So the first day upset lived to its expectation as "lowly" Ecuador beat Poland. As this was a midnight start, I missed the game. Ecuador has defeated Brazil and Argentina in qualifiers at home in Quito, but that was atributed to high altitude that city is present in.
10th June
England 1:0 Paraguay
David Beckham freekick in the 3rd minute, curled into the box and his Paraguayan counterpart Carlos Gammara headed in a Own Goal. It was otherwise quite a boring game as England seemed happy with the lead and Paraguay did not care to attack in the first half. The English blamed the afternoon start and the heat for their lack lustre performance.
Trinidad & Tobago 0 : 0 Sweden
An exciting game of one team attacking and the other defending with all their might. In the start of the second half, T & T were reduced to 10 men in the start of the second half. But they defended superbly and major credit should go to the West Ham goalie. Shaka Hislop. In fact, Stern John of T & T had a late chance on a counter attack, which hit the post.
Argentina 2 : 1 Ivory Coast
The game of the tournament till now. A late night start but a free flowing attacking football by both the teams which keeps one awake all through the night. ARgentina scored early goals but Ivory coast fought back gallantly with Drogba getting a late goal.
11th June
Serbia & Montenegro 0 : 1 Holland
An early individual goal by Arjen Robben (although the pass by Robin van Persie set him up perfectly), was the only goal of the game. S & M, after the introduction of Koroman, looked menacing. But Holland looked self - assured.
Mexico 3 : 1 Iran
A very intersting match up. It was 1:1 till late in second half. Then the Iranian goalkeeper and defender make a silly passing mistake and the deadlock is broken in the 76th minute and then in the 79th, Zinha heads home a beautiful header to finish it off.
Angola 0 :1 Portugal
The former colonisers should have creamed through their former colony. In the end, it turned out be a close game. A late start and missed it as not much was expected.
12th June
Australia 3 : 1 Japan
An early kick -off,hence had see only the repeat telecast. Japan were leading till the 84th minute. But Guus Hiddink's brilliant substitution of bringing on Tim Cahill, gave the Aussies a victory. Cahill scored twice and Aloisi scored the last. 3 goals in six minutes!!!
Italy 2 : 0 Ghana
Early goals by Italy sealed the fate of Ghana. As mentioned in my predictions, it is very difficult to crack the defence of Italy with Cannavaro, Nesta and Zambarotta. Saw the highlights as it was a weekday early kick off.
USA 0 : 3 Czech Republic
The World Ranking 5 team were taught a lesson in football by the No. 2 ranked team. I missed the first half but the second half saw a cracker of a goal by the new Arsenal buy, Tomas Rosicsky. But with Milan Baros and Jan Koeller both injured, Czech have a problem going ahead in the tournament.
13th June
Korea 2 : 1 Togo
Togo were suppossed to rollover and die , but the lead this game at half time. Korea sneaked 2 goals in the second half to keep their chances alive.
France 0 : 0 Switzerland.
A much fancied game between two teams expected to go through from the group. But it was a boring draw with France not playing as a team. Henry missed quite a few chances and Zizou was nothing like magician he is known to be. One could see arguements between Gallas, Zidane and Thuram on the pitch.
Brazil 1 : 0 Croatia
Late night match, so missed it. But apparently it was a very dull game with Ronaldo playing a very sluggish game. The only gae came from Kaka, a strike from just outside the D area. Not a convincing start from the defending champions.
14th June
Tunisia 2 : 2 Saudi Arabia
Nobody expected this to be a good match. Infact, I did not even care to see the highlights. But considering the 2 teams capabilities, it seems to have been a cracker of a game. Tunisia were leading half time 1:0 and the Saudis fought back to go up 2:1. Then the late equaliser gave both the teams a well deserved point.
Spain 4 : 0 Ukraine
This was built up to be a tough game between two teams bound to go out of this group to the next round. But with Shevchenko going missing and Ukraine down to ten men due referee error, the Spanish showed what they are capable off. But then this is Spain. They will fizzle out before we know. Their biggest opponent is they themselves. Will this time they prove themrselves wrong?
Germany 1 : 0 Poland
This was start of the second round of matches in the group stage. I saw the repeat telecast and though it was goaless till the 89th minute, it was exciting.
15th June
Ecuador 3 : 0 Costa Rica
Ecuador are now the surprise second round qualifiers. They have thown out the Poles and now face Germany for their last match to decide who will top the group. Who would have thought of such a scenario. This is football World cup at its best.
England 2 : 0 Trinidad & Tobago
Till the 84th minute of this game, it was draw. And at that point it looked thats how it will end. Again a Beckham long ball saved the day with Crouch heading it for a goal. Then in the 89th minute Steven Gerrard hit a characteristic goal from outside the penalty area. This game saw the return of Rooney but put in serious doubts England's capabilities to breakdown defences. For their part, T & T played a very defensive game with no intenetion to attack. Their best chance was from corner in the first half, which John Terry kicked out just off the goal line.
Sweden 1 : 0 Paraguay
Could not see the game, but it was a frustrating game with a late goal from Freddie Ljunberg keeping the Swedes alive in the Tournament and the Paraguayans out. If the English beat the Swedes in their last game and T & T defeat Paraguay by a huge margin, then T & T can go through because of goal difference.
16th June
Argentina 6 : 0 Serbia & Montenegro
The group of death fizzled out. This was a 6:30 p.m start (IST) and hence missed the game. As the scoreline suggests, it was one - way traffic. I could only see the highlights, but what skill and team work by Argentina. The second goal constituted 24 passes. The last bit, Riquelme to Saviola who curves the ball to Cambiasso. Cambiasso pushes it ahead to Crespo and runs into the box. Crespo back heels it to Cambiasso who scores, is simply magic.
Holland 2 : 1 Ivory Coast
Again the opponents of the Ivory Coast go 2 goals up and they fight their way back but fail at the last hurdle. The have to be the most unlucky losers of the first round. They played excellent football but their opposition were just too good.
Mexico 0 : 0 Angola
Sometimes I am thankful, did not stay late and watch some games. This had to be one of them. The highlights were boring!!!
17th June
Portugal 2 : 0 Iran
Deco proved why he is considered to be one of the best attacking midfielder and playmaker in the game. A superb strike of a moving ball was perfect.
Czech Republic 0 : 2 Ghana
A 9:00 p.m start I missed because of the stupid cable fellow. The upset I had predicted on a SMS competition came true, with even my Man of the Match prediction (Michael Essien) right! The Czech without their 2 star strikers have a tough task now to qualify.
Italy 0 : 0 USA
In the end this was a 10 vs 9 men game, with the Uruguaying referee having his say on the game. Though US felt hard done with both their red cards, I felt they were justified. But USA overall had a great game and now the group is wide open.
18th June
Japan 0 : 0 Croatia
A very dull and slow game which deservedly ended in a draw. Both teams did not know how to score a goal. Srna of Croatia missed a penalty!
Brazil 2: 0 Australia
If the earlie game had a result, then the start of this game would not have been as it was. Australia just needed a draw so they sat back and let the Brazilians in. It was goaless till half time. Then early in the second half, a brilliant pass by Ronaldinho to Ronaldo who pulled 3 defenders towards him and then passed to Adriano who completed it. Brazilians looked sluggish and tired. They will have to pick up pace to go through this tournament.
France 1 : 1 Korea
Missed the game, but apart from the surprise result from the Koreans, the game seemsto be have been a dull affair. This has thrown the group open for anybody to go through. France are lucky to face Togo for their last game, so they might go through, though they do not deserve it. The Korean fans were apparently the star of the show.
19th June
Togo 0 : 2 Switzerland
As expected, Frei and Barreta gave the Swiss the lead. Togo are the pushovers of the tournament.
Saudi Arabia 0 : 4 Ukraine
The Spain thrashing hurt the Ukrainese. The way they came back against the Saudis, was magnificient. It was a great team performance and taught the Saudis a thing or two about football.
Spain 3 : 1 Tunisia
This game proved why football critics are afraid to predict success to Spain. They were trailing till the 71st minute. This shows the mercurial behavior of the Spanish.
I could not possibly see all the games due to work commitments and the 12:30 a.m starts are not convenient on a weekday but following are my comments on the games till now.
9th Jun
Germany 4 : 2 Costa Rica.
A great start to the World cup but the expected upset did not fructify. Plenty of goals and Paulo Wanchope lived upto his expectations. There was controversy before the start to as Jurgen Klinsmann decided to "rest" star player Michael Ballack. But Germany went through comfortably.
Poland 0 : 2 Ecuador
So the first day upset lived to its expectation as "lowly" Ecuador beat Poland. As this was a midnight start, I missed the game. Ecuador has defeated Brazil and Argentina in qualifiers at home in Quito, but that was atributed to high altitude that city is present in.
10th June
England 1:0 Paraguay
David Beckham freekick in the 3rd minute, curled into the box and his Paraguayan counterpart Carlos Gammara headed in a Own Goal. It was otherwise quite a boring game as England seemed happy with the lead and Paraguay did not care to attack in the first half. The English blamed the afternoon start and the heat for their lack lustre performance.
Trinidad & Tobago 0 : 0 Sweden
An exciting game of one team attacking and the other defending with all their might. In the start of the second half, T & T were reduced to 10 men in the start of the second half. But they defended superbly and major credit should go to the West Ham goalie. Shaka Hislop. In fact, Stern John of T & T had a late chance on a counter attack, which hit the post.
Argentina 2 : 1 Ivory Coast
The game of the tournament till now. A late night start but a free flowing attacking football by both the teams which keeps one awake all through the night. ARgentina scored early goals but Ivory coast fought back gallantly with Drogba getting a late goal.
11th June
Serbia & Montenegro 0 : 1 Holland
An early individual goal by Arjen Robben (although the pass by Robin van Persie set him up perfectly), was the only goal of the game. S & M, after the introduction of Koroman, looked menacing. But Holland looked self - assured.
Mexico 3 : 1 Iran
A very intersting match up. It was 1:1 till late in second half. Then the Iranian goalkeeper and defender make a silly passing mistake and the deadlock is broken in the 76th minute and then in the 79th, Zinha heads home a beautiful header to finish it off.
Angola 0 :1 Portugal
The former colonisers should have creamed through their former colony. In the end, it turned out be a close game. A late start and missed it as not much was expected.
12th June
Australia 3 : 1 Japan
An early kick -off,hence had see only the repeat telecast. Japan were leading till the 84th minute. But Guus Hiddink's brilliant substitution of bringing on Tim Cahill, gave the Aussies a victory. Cahill scored twice and Aloisi scored the last. 3 goals in six minutes!!!
Italy 2 : 0 Ghana
Early goals by Italy sealed the fate of Ghana. As mentioned in my predictions, it is very difficult to crack the defence of Italy with Cannavaro, Nesta and Zambarotta. Saw the highlights as it was a weekday early kick off.
USA 0 : 3 Czech Republic
The World Ranking 5 team were taught a lesson in football by the No. 2 ranked team. I missed the first half but the second half saw a cracker of a goal by the new Arsenal buy, Tomas Rosicsky. But with Milan Baros and Jan Koeller both injured, Czech have a problem going ahead in the tournament.
13th June
Korea 2 : 1 Togo
Togo were suppossed to rollover and die , but the lead this game at half time. Korea sneaked 2 goals in the second half to keep their chances alive.
France 0 : 0 Switzerland.
A much fancied game between two teams expected to go through from the group. But it was a boring draw with France not playing as a team. Henry missed quite a few chances and Zizou was nothing like magician he is known to be. One could see arguements between Gallas, Zidane and Thuram on the pitch.
Brazil 1 : 0 Croatia
Late night match, so missed it. But apparently it was a very dull game with Ronaldo playing a very sluggish game. The only gae came from Kaka, a strike from just outside the D area. Not a convincing start from the defending champions.
14th June
Tunisia 2 : 2 Saudi Arabia
Nobody expected this to be a good match. Infact, I did not even care to see the highlights. But considering the 2 teams capabilities, it seems to have been a cracker of a game. Tunisia were leading half time 1:0 and the Saudis fought back to go up 2:1. Then the late equaliser gave both the teams a well deserved point.
Spain 4 : 0 Ukraine
This was built up to be a tough game between two teams bound to go out of this group to the next round. But with Shevchenko going missing and Ukraine down to ten men due referee error, the Spanish showed what they are capable off. But then this is Spain. They will fizzle out before we know. Their biggest opponent is they themselves. Will this time they prove themrselves wrong?
Germany 1 : 0 Poland
This was start of the second round of matches in the group stage. I saw the repeat telecast and though it was goaless till the 89th minute, it was exciting.
15th June
Ecuador 3 : 0 Costa Rica
Ecuador are now the surprise second round qualifiers. They have thown out the Poles and now face Germany for their last match to decide who will top the group. Who would have thought of such a scenario. This is football World cup at its best.
England 2 : 0 Trinidad & Tobago
Till the 84th minute of this game, it was draw. And at that point it looked thats how it will end. Again a Beckham long ball saved the day with Crouch heading it for a goal. Then in the 89th minute Steven Gerrard hit a characteristic goal from outside the penalty area. This game saw the return of Rooney but put in serious doubts England's capabilities to breakdown defences. For their part, T & T played a very defensive game with no intenetion to attack. Their best chance was from corner in the first half, which John Terry kicked out just off the goal line.
Sweden 1 : 0 Paraguay
Could not see the game, but it was a frustrating game with a late goal from Freddie Ljunberg keeping the Swedes alive in the Tournament and the Paraguayans out. If the English beat the Swedes in their last game and T & T defeat Paraguay by a huge margin, then T & T can go through because of goal difference.
16th June
Argentina 6 : 0 Serbia & Montenegro
The group of death fizzled out. This was a 6:30 p.m start (IST) and hence missed the game. As the scoreline suggests, it was one - way traffic. I could only see the highlights, but what skill and team work by Argentina. The second goal constituted 24 passes. The last bit, Riquelme to Saviola who curves the ball to Cambiasso. Cambiasso pushes it ahead to Crespo and runs into the box. Crespo back heels it to Cambiasso who scores, is simply magic.
Holland 2 : 1 Ivory Coast
Again the opponents of the Ivory Coast go 2 goals up and they fight their way back but fail at the last hurdle. The have to be the most unlucky losers of the first round. They played excellent football but their opposition were just too good.
Mexico 0 : 0 Angola
Sometimes I am thankful, did not stay late and watch some games. This had to be one of them. The highlights were boring!!!
17th June
Portugal 2 : 0 Iran
Deco proved why he is considered to be one of the best attacking midfielder and playmaker in the game. A superb strike of a moving ball was perfect.
Czech Republic 0 : 2 Ghana
A 9:00 p.m start I missed because of the stupid cable fellow. The upset I had predicted on a SMS competition came true, with even my Man of the Match prediction (Michael Essien) right! The Czech without their 2 star strikers have a tough task now to qualify.
Italy 0 : 0 USA
In the end this was a 10 vs 9 men game, with the Uruguaying referee having his say on the game. Though US felt hard done with both their red cards, I felt they were justified. But USA overall had a great game and now the group is wide open.
18th June
Japan 0 : 0 Croatia
A very dull and slow game which deservedly ended in a draw. Both teams did not know how to score a goal. Srna of Croatia missed a penalty!
Brazil 2: 0 Australia
If the earlie game had a result, then the start of this game would not have been as it was. Australia just needed a draw so they sat back and let the Brazilians in. It was goaless till half time. Then early in the second half, a brilliant pass by Ronaldinho to Ronaldo who pulled 3 defenders towards him and then passed to Adriano who completed it. Brazilians looked sluggish and tired. They will have to pick up pace to go through this tournament.
France 1 : 1 Korea
Missed the game, but apart from the surprise result from the Koreans, the game seemsto be have been a dull affair. This has thrown the group open for anybody to go through. France are lucky to face Togo for their last game, so they might go through, though they do not deserve it. The Korean fans were apparently the star of the show.
19th June
Togo 0 : 2 Switzerland
As expected, Frei and Barreta gave the Swiss the lead. Togo are the pushovers of the tournament.
Saudi Arabia 0 : 4 Ukraine
The Spain thrashing hurt the Ukrainese. The way they came back against the Saudis, was magnificient. It was a great team performance and taught the Saudis a thing or two about football.
Spain 3 : 1 Tunisia
This game proved why football critics are afraid to predict success to Spain. They were trailing till the 71st minute. This shows the mercurial behavior of the Spanish.
posted by kgroupie @ 11:25 AM
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