World Cup Day 12- 22/06/10

We're now getting to that exciting stage of the World Cup- the group stage is coming to an end. At the same time, it's a frustrating stage, as there are 4 games a day, the two from the same group being staged at the same time, making it impossible to watch every game. But there was no shortage of excitement today, as the first 2 groups drew to their conclusions.
First, Group A. Two things we could be pretty sure about were that Uruguay would go through and France would go out. Though it was possible for these things not to happen, for Uruguay to go out would require defeat by Mexico and victory for either France or South Africa by a margin significant enough to overturn the Uruguian goal difference. In order for France to progress, they would need to win and hope against a draw in the other match. As it was, the results were almost predictable. The Uruguay-Mexico encounter really had a feel of a game where both sides knew that a draw would be enough. As it was, Uruguay managed to steal victory thanks to a header from Luis Suarez. This sparked jubilation from South Africa fans at their match against France. The French were as poor as they had been all tournament, going 2-0 down in the first half before having Yohann Gourcuff sent off in yet another absurd refereeing decision, the third since Sunday. As it was, the French managed to steal a goal through a Florent Malouda tap in in the second half, and with the South Africa team tiring big time, it was a goal which effectively killed off their world cup dreams. So Uruguay were the first group winners as this years World Cup, with Mexico following them into the last 16 in second place.

The two sides respective opponents would be decided in the 7:30 kick offs from Group B. Argentina, already effectively through, entertained a Greece side which had been poor all tournament. Up until the the 77th minute, it was the most one sided 0-0 you could possible hope for. Romero didn't have a thing to do in the Argentina goal, but Greece were content to sit back, defend, and go for a draw. Even when Demechelis fired home after a goal-mouth scramble from a corner kick, the Greeks didn't show any real intent, and their misery was compounded in the final minute of regulation time when a Lionel Messi shot after a wonderful run cannoned back off the post and into the path of 36 year old Martin Palermo, who took great delight in slotting home. Elsewhere in the group, Nigeria took on South Korea, with both sides still in with a chance of progression. Nigeria's hopes of progression were boosted when Uche gave them the lead after just 12 minutes, but goals from Lee Jung-Soo and Park Chu-Young either side of half time gave Korea the advantage. Then, 20 minutes into the second half, came the moment. The miss of the World Cup. And not just the miss of the 2010 World Cup, actually THE miss of THE World Cup ever. Yakubu found space inside the box, the ball was squared to him, he was 2 yards out, the keeper was nowhere, all he had to do was sidefoot it home, and he somehow put it wide. I don't know if he was aiming for the corner, though it certainly looked like it, but it was completely unneccessary. He had the whole goal to aim at and still missed. Chris Iwelumos miss for Scotland against Norway even put shame to it. However, the Everton striker made amends a few minutes later, stroking home a penalty after Chinedu Obasi was fouled by Kim Nam-Il. Nigeria were level, but they needed a win to go through, and unfortunately for them, they didn't get it, and became the 3rd African team to go out of the African World Cup. So, the first Last 16 fixtures are decided, and they will be Uruguay v South Korea and Argentina v Mexico.

My Predictions for World Cup Day 13- 23/06/10
USA 2-0 Algeria
America have shown some decent form in this World Cup, but they lack a bit of cutting edge in the final third. By contrast, Algeria really don't have the attacking capability to pose any threat to any defence, really. The USA should win, and that'll be enough to take them through to the last 16.

England 1-1 Slovenia
For me, Slovenia have been the best team in group C so far, and the reason is that they play well as a unit. England completely fail in that department. World class players England may have, but the Rooneys, Lampards and Gerrards are used to playing with other world class players like Drogba, Torres and Giggs, and unfortunately the likes of Lennon, Heskey and Barry are just not up to that standard. England run out of ideas when they attack, and that lack of teamwork could cost them dear, as a 1-1 draw would put them out of the competition regardless of the score in the USA match.

Australia 1-1 Serbia
Australia battled far better against Ghana than they did against Australia, so clearly have the potential to cause problems to some of the smaller teams in the competition. Serbia were poor against Ghana but good against Germany. However, the reason for them not losing to Germany was because of their opposition going down to 10 men; a very real possibility against Australia.

Ghana 1-2 Germany
Ghana have showed some class in the tournament, but their power and creativity in midfield should be no match for the Germans. Make no mistake about it, Germany will miss the suspended Miroslav Klose, but should still have the class to overcome the Ghaneans.