It wasn’t the best football match you are going to see at this World Cup, but it also wont be the worst – the match between Paraguay and Japan earlier today will take some beating to that accolade.
Overall, not a great day for the football fan but an interesting one. Spain read the script and Spain are through to the quarter finals and Portugal head home, then off on a nice break somewhere hot before back to club football starting in a few weeks.
The winner for Spain came in the 63rd minute. A clever touch from Xavi played in David Villa who had his first shot saved but made no mistake with his second. It was almost as if the script was written for him, as he is now the joint top scorer in the tournament with four, alongside Higuain from Argentina and Vittek from Slovakia. Read more…
This game went to penalties and Paraguay scored all while Japan missed one and didn’t get the chance to take the fifth and if it wasn’t for the prospect of penalties I might have curled up in the corner of the office and had a nap.
But ten minutes in, this game had draw written all over it and even towards the end of normal time and extra time, Japan played for it.
This game was so boring that we are actually going to pop into the British Library tomorrow and do a search for most boring football game ever and hope that this one doesn’t appear – if it doesn’t we hope to be the ones that nominate it.
Our point is, when you get to the last 16 of the World Cup – you have to go for it. Both of these sides played safety first and while I can understand that for the first few minutes of each half – not for 120 minutes. Read more…
Commendatore Marcelo Lippi faces his sternest test
Disunity. A common theme which emerges from European teams that are struggling in the World Cup. France is the bench mark. But England with the John Terry coup nipped in the bud provided rumblings of a similar kind.
Add Italy to the list as Marcelo Lippi struggles to find an answer to his ailing team.
“As an Italian the answer is more complicated. Our country has great quality, even excellence in some areas. But there is no desire to cooperate, everyone goes for his glory. And when I hear of division. .. I wish there was more unity, cohesion and desire. “
Too many formations, too many changes to personnel, and no speed. Read more…
Algeria’s progress in the World Cup is being followed keenly in the Arab and Muslim world. Today’s match against the USA will be followed by millions in the Maghreb and the Middle East.
Adai Ezedi, the brother of Muntadhar al-Zeidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W Bush has exhorted the Fennecs “to be merciless with the US.” Maybe he meant this time to be on target scoring goals.
The Fennecs are determined to enter the second round which was cruelly denied to them in 1982 by Germany and Austria.
Algerian football federation, Mohamed Raouraoua met with the team and asked them to up hold the honour of Algeria, the Arab, and Muslim world by adhering to principles of good sportsmanship and fair play but doing their best to win to record a historic passage into the next round. Read more…
In what was surely the biggest beat down of the World Cup so far, Portugal absolutely destroyed North Korea this morning 7-0. After an impressive performance against the Brazilians in their opening match, the North Koreans were completely outclassed this morning in Cape Town.
Raul Meireles got the party started in the 29th minute after a great through ball form Tiago. North Korea had chances early and still seemed to be in the game as the half time whistle blew with the score at 1-0. Read more…
Carlos Vela injured in the first half against France is most likely to miss El Tri’s fixture against Uruguay. Pablo Barrera who came on as his replacement and was hacked down by Eric Abidal for a spot kick will fill in for him. Read more…
It was an entertaining game and the Indomitable Lions gave everything at the end. However, Denmark stood fast to their 2-1 lead with Thomas Sorensen pulling off a magnificent save to end Cameroon’s dreams. Read more…
The Gunners have officially released the away kit which will be worn away from the Emirates Stadium next English Premier League season. Below is the official description of the new away kit and the meaning behind it:
While the yellow reflects the Gunners’ past, the redcurrant pinstripes and cuff style sleeves echo design features further back in the Club’s heritage to its Woolwich Arsenal days. The reverse of the club badge on shirts reveals the motto ‘Victoria Concordia Crescit’, which translates as ‘Victory Through Harmony’, while redcurrant shorts and yellow socks complete the look. Read more…
The completely redesigned Manchester United home & away jerseys from Nike have been leaked on the Internet. With a change in sponsor, the Manchester United jerseys have also gotten a complete overhaul with this years home jerseys looking like a bit of a throwback. The red home Man United home jersey has an old-fashioned v-neck collar with white trim while also featuring the logo of new sponsor, Aon. Read more…
A boneheaded mistake by Martin Demichelis who’s never been mistaken for a genius gifts Lee Chung Young a goal just second before half time. This is Argentina’s Achilles heel – their defense.
Leo Messi has been all over the place and his best move came just before the South Korean goal when he snaked in and out the Korean defense with that left foot and unleashed a wickedly curling shot which sizzled past the right goalpost. Read more…
