4 In, 4 Out - Day 12 Round-Up

And we began the beginning of the end today!

The first couple of games were Mexico vs. Uruguay, and France vs. South Africa. They were played simultaneously, so I shall blog them simultaneously! It was first blood to SA, when Bongani Khumalo put the ball in the French net, and the dream was on. It was made even better when Yoann Gourcuff was sent off for France, which was quickly followed up by another goal from Katlego Mphela to give them a 2-0 lead at the break. Just before the break, however, Uruguay had gone 1 up through a beautiful Luis Suarez header, and that was how the games stayed until the 70th minute, when Florent Malouda spoilt the fun and pulled one back for France. The games stayed that way,which means Uruguay and Mexico progress, with South Africa 3rd and France rock bottom. Rightfully so if you're Irish and you are still feeling aggrieved after THAT incident. Highlights are available here for both Mexico vs. Uruguay and France vs. South Africa.

The next games finished off Group B, with matches between Nigeria and the Korea Republic, and Greece vs. Argentina. With Argentina already 3 points ahead of the other teams, they looked certain to progress, but the rest was all to play for. A Kalu Uche goal put Nigeria ahead, but after 38 minutes, Lee Jung-Soo scored a brilliant goal to pull it level. The South Koreans then went in front after a tremendous free-kick from Park Chu-Young, which brought half time. In the other game, Argentina were battering Greece, with Lionel Messi, the captain of the evening, proving why he is the best football player potentially ever. After 70 minutes, Yakubu converted a Nigerian penalty to bring it to 2-2, after a brilliant bit of chopping from the Korean defence. Argentina then began to put their attacking force into line, with a smash-in from Martin Demichelis with 10 minutes to go, and then a Messi-created tap-in for Martin Palermo. Juan Sebastian Veron played the best game I've ever seen him play, and Messi was just a maestro in the team. Both games finished 2-2 and 2-0 respectively, which means Argentina progress as group winners, and the Korea Republic go through as runners-up. Nigeria vs. Korea Republic highlights can be found here with Greece vs. Argentina highlights found here.

 

Knockout Round
Uruguay vs. Korea Republic
Argentina vs. Mexico

We Should Be So Lucky... - Day 7 Round-Up

And after a week of games - 20, to be precise, we arrive at today. And what a mix we had. We got as we wished!

Argentina vs. South Korea was to kick us off today, and what a stunning game. The two teams I reckon will go through, head to head. With the likes of Messi, Aguero and Higuain up front from the start, we were in for a good game. A Messi free kick led to the own goal to put Argentina 1-0 up, and it was like Park Chu-Young was a statue - he just didn't move, and it hit him. Another Messi cross left Gonzalo Higuain to head in a second, and then a stroke of luck arrive when Lee Chung-Yong pinched the ball and popped it in the back of the net to make it 2-1. Half time obviously led to strong words by Diego Maradona, and they worked wonders. More Messi magic led to a third goal from Higuain, and then he got his hat-trick with one of the best goals of the tournament, involving all three of the strikers. Just magical. So the game finished 4-1, and now Argentina look certain to go through. Watch the highlights here.

Next up were Greece vs. Nigeria, and it was dull. Very very dull. We had a quick first half, with a belter of a goal from Kalu Uche, and then a sending off for a petulant kick from Sani Kaita. It was off the ball, and off the pitch, but it was still stupid, and you could tell he was disappointed. The Greeks turned the game around just before the break, with the first ever Greek World Cup goal from Dimitris Salpingidis, and then number two was scored by Vassilis Torosidis in the 70th minute, after a spill from the Nigerian keeper. To watch the highlights, click here.

Finally today, we had France vs. Mexico, and it was very, very attacking. It was even, and Mexico looked a very well-oiled machine in the first half. It was split equally during the second half, and was a very exciting, open game. Javier Hernandez scored for Mexico in what looked to be the decisive goal, but it was in fact Cuauhtemoc Blanco who coverted a penalty who won the game for Mexico. 2-0 was a brilliant result, and one that could end France's chances of even qualifying. If you wish to watch the highlights, click here.

What a day though! Next week starts tomorrow - happy days!

Outstanding Attacking - Day 2 Round-Up

Having now watched 5 out of the 64 games, we're beginning to get a bit of a feel for how its all going. And how attacking was today?!

First game of today was the Korea Republic against Greece,and it was a brilliant display by the Asian team. They showed that they really have recovered the form of the 2002 semi-finalists, and it was actually a very enjoyable game to watch - makes a change when it involves Greece. Highlights are found here.


Next up on the roster was Argentina vs. Nigeria, and it was the best game so far. First half was absolutely stunning - haven't seen a game of football like that in a while. Messi's jinking runs and Tevez's brute force matched perfectly, and the lack of defence for both teams were only uncovered fully in the last 10 minutes. The passing was brilliant too, and it bodes well for the next month. You can watch the highlights here.

Finally, we had England vs. USA. What a really poor game. When Gerrard put the ball in the net within 10 minutes, I thought we were on our way. But no, however we did it, we let the USA come back, and eventually ended up drawing 1-1, thanks to an absolute blunder from Robert Green. If I were Capello, I'd have pulled him off at half time, and let him know it wasn't acceptable. Second half was a little better, but we brought on slower players and brought the pace of the game right down, making Wayne Rooney a very unhappy bunny. Still, if you want to watch the highlights, click here.

Group B - Greece

Ah, Greece. Euro 2004 Champions. How?! We're still trying to work that one out. It would help Greece to go further in the World Cup, due to their current economic state, but hey, you can't win 'em all. And Greece certainly won't - with Argentina, Korea Republic, and Nigeria in their group, the best they can hope for is a couple of draws, or a win against Nigeria.

With the team aging, and most players being 30+, there is very little pace in the team, and the youngest players are in fact defenders, which doesn't exactly help the cause. But they've shocked us once, maybe they'll shock us again...

Capital City: Athens
Captain: Giorgos Karagounis

Manager: Otto Rehhagel
Star Man: Sotiris Ninis - if all the speculation is right, this little speed bullet could be absolutely massive come July. He's meant to set the world alight, and at only 20, could be snapped up for a couple of million now, or £20m come the end of the tournament. Greece's hopes may rest upon his shoulders. 
Group Games: Korea Republic (12th June); Nigeria (17th June); Argentina (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: Will hopefully beat Nigeria and set up a big game against Argentina, but it could prove too little, too late. 3rd in Group B.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika) 

Defenders: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika) 

Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika) 

Forwards: Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic)

Group B - Korea Republic

Korea Republic, as they will be 'officially' known during the World Cup, or South Korea, as most of us know them, qualify for their seventh consecutive competition, and hope to repeat the 2002 showing of 4th place.

Having picked a very strong squad, with the majority actually based in South Korea and Japan, the team could do well, and having been placed in a relatively simple group, they should be okay for the 3rd week.

Capital City: Seoul
Captain: Park Ji-Sung
Manager: Huh Jung-Moo
Star Man: Park Chu-Young - should Park perform as well as he could, there could be another move at the end of July to a big club. He's a winger who plays for Monaco, but without his crosses and technical ability, Korea Republic may not go as well as planned. He's also very clever, with an IQ of 150. There's a little nugget for you.
Group Games: Greece (12th June); Argentina (17th June); Nigeria (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: Should fair reasonably well in their group, and progress to the second round. More than likely won't progress from there though. 2nd in Group B.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kim Young-Kwang (Ulsan), Lee Woon-Jae (Suwon), Jung Sung-Ryong (Seongnam) 

Defenders: Kim Dong-Jin (Ulsan), Kim Hyung-Il (Pohang), Oh Beom-Seok (Ulsan), Lee Young-Pyo (Al Hilal), Lee Jung-Soo (Kashima Antlers), Cha Du-Ri (SC Freiburg), Cho Yong-Hyung (Jeju), Kang Min-Soo (Suwon) 

Midfielders: Ki Sung-Yong (Celtic), Kim Bo-Kyung (Oita), Kim Nam-Il (Tom Tomsk), Kim Jae-Sung (Pohang), Kim Jung-Woo (Gwangju), Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton), Park Ji-Sung (Manchester United) 

Forwards: Park Chu-Young (AS Monaco), Ahn Jung-Hwan (Dalian Shide), Lee Seung-Ryul (Seoul), Yeom Ki-Hun (Suwon), Lee Dong-Guk (Jeonbuk)

Group B - Nigeria

Nigeria have never gone beyond the second round in the World Cup - the last time they even did that was 1998. And I'm afraid to say I don't think there will be any difference this time around. The lack of raw talent is worrying. Every English-based player is a fringe player, and those who do very rarely make it into the starting line up are inevitably dropped by their teams the next game.

The Nigerian Football federation have set Nigeria the target of semi finals. Unless something incredible happens, I think they may be VERY disappointed.

Capital City: Abuja
Captain: Joseph Yobo
Manager: Lars Lagerback
Star Man: Victor Obinna - if Obinna does well at the World Cup, he could well be on his way for a big-money move to England. Having spent the last season on loan at Malaga from inter Milan, and performing incredibly well, the man's pace and poaching ability could play nicely into a big move come the end of July.
Group Games: Argentina (12th June); Greece (17th June); Korea Republic (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: I hate to say it, but its a distinct possibility that they may not even pick up a point... 4th in Group B.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikvah), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv) 

Defenders: Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam), Rabiu Afolabi (Red Bull Salzburg), Elderson Echiejile (Stade Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille), Joseph Yobo (Everton) 

Midfielders: Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), Sani Kaita (Alania Vladikavhaz), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Haruna Lukman (Monaco), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Kalu Uche (Almeria), John Utaka (Portsmouth) 

Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton), Obafemi Martins (VfL Wolfsburg), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim), Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Group B - Argentina

Based on the group, and side of the draw, Argentina must almost be certain to do well this year. Since Diego Maradona took over, they've had some absolute beating - Bolivia 6-1 Argentina sticks out in my mind. But they've got a youthful team who really do have a lot of attacking flair and pace, and should show why they can be world beaters in these early group stages.

Their players seem to be all those in the shop window - Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria - the list goes on. This will play massively into Argentina's favour - the better they play, the more likely a move will be. But the better they play, the better Argentina play, and the more likely it is that they will get their hands on the coveted trophy. It only takes a second to score, and make yourself a hero....

Capital City: Buenos Aires

Captain: Javier Mascherano
Manager: Diego Maradona
Star Man: Lionel Messi - who else?! The man is a star - there aren't many players who have been hailed by the greats. He is just a fast, pacey, attacking machine, who has a bunch of skill, technique and tactical suave about him. Should Argentina get beyond the quarters, he surely has to be in with a shout for Best Player.
Group Games: Nigeria (12th June); Korea Republic (17th June); Greece (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: Will walk the group. Will then win in second round, and quarters, and very possibly make it all the way to the final, but it'll be tricky once the semis take place. 1st in Group B.


Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona)