Worst. Day. Yet. - Day 15 Round-Up

So, the final day of group games left us with a sense of 'loss', I guess...

The penultimate group to play were Group G, with a game between North Korea and Ivory Coast, and a mouth-watering tie between Brazil and Portugal. It was going to be a good game... No it wasn't. It was a 0-0, bore draw, and I nearly slit my wrists. It was poor. The game between North Korea and Ivory Coast was the best of the lot. Yaya Toure put the ball in the Korean net after 14 minutes, with Romaric doubling the lead after 20 minutes. Salomon Kalou put a goal in with 10 minutes to go, to finish the game 3-0, but it wasn't enough for the Ivory Coast, and Brazil went through as group winners, with Portugal runners-up. To watch the 'highlights' of the Brazil-Portugal game, click here, and for the North Korea-Ivory Coast game, click here.

So after that debacle, we expected a treat from Group H to really top off the group stages. We had Chile vs. Spain, and Switzlerand vs. Honduras, with a goal from both Chile and Switzlerand knocking European champions Spain out the tournament. It was all poised so nicely. We had another bore draw from Switzlerland and Honduras, and it meant everything was down to the other game. Spain took the lead through a stunning goal from David Villa - the best of the tournament so far, in my opinion. Andres Iniesta then doubled the lead, and then sent Spain through. Chile pulled one back through Rodrigo Millar, but it wasn't enough, but it did still however send both teams through - Spain as winners, and Chile as runners-up. To see the highlights of the Chile vs. Spain game, click here, and for the Switzerland vs. Honduras game, click here.

Knockout Games
Brazil vs. Chile
Spain vs. Portugal

10 in 3?! - Day 11 Round-Up

Well there's something we weren't expecting!

Lunchtime kick off was Portugal vs. Korea DPR, and bloody hell, what a game. Raul Meireles started the scoring after some beautiful build-up, and the teams went in for half time at 1-0. We didn't expect the second half though. Simao with a belter; Hugo Almeida with a tricky finish; Tiago with a thump. 4-0, within 15 minutes of the restart. Liedson headed one in with 10 minutes to go, and Cristiano Ronaldo broke his two-year duck for an international goal with 3 to go. Tiago then topped things off in extra time by scoring Portugal's seventh. 7-0. The North Koreans aren't going home to a warm reception.... To watch the highlights, click here.

Next up were Chile vs. Switzlerland, and if you like your football aggressive, then this was the game for you. The first half had Valon Behrami sent off - after two consecutive elbows. And he protested his innocence. Plank. But it was truly Chile's game, and they look a really good package this time around. It was with 15 minutes to go that Mark Gonzalez scored the only goal, thanks to a brilliant cross and a header down. It means Chile can go through with a point against Spain on Friday. Fancy watching the highlights? Click here.

The last game of Day 11 was Spain vs. Honduras, and on paper, it was a walkover. And it was. David Villa put the Spaniards ahead with probably one of the best games of the tournament so far - a jink in from the wing, tickling it round the defenders and putting it straight in the net. Just beautiful. He then scored a second in the 50th minute, but later missed a penalty by a good foot, and missed out on his hat trick. Spain looked really good, but Fernando Torres looks a waste of space... Click here to see the highlights.

The Controversial Couple - Day 10 Round-Up

A bit of an odd one, if I'm honest. It was a bit of a scary day, if you were a player, and a good day, if you're a ref who likes the colour red.

Today began with Slovakia vs. Paraguay. It was probably one of the best games of the tournament - it was attacking, it was quick, and it was very entertaining. Paraguay took the lead in the 27th minute through a beautiful goal from Enrique Vera, who curled the ball into the bottom corner of the net with the inside of his boot. It continued the period of play where everything was Paraguay. There weren't many more shots, just some very skillful football, but Carlos Riveros finished the game off with 4 minutes to go, with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box. The game finished 2-0, and if you want to watch the highlights, click here.

Next for us were the delights of Italy vs. New Zealand. Now this game would normally have Italy written all over it, but after their poor performance in the first game, and New Zealand's renewed efforts, it was gonna be close. And it was. Having gone ahead through a Shane Smeltz goal in the seventh minute, New Zealand lost their attacking abilities, and became very defensive. This allowed Italy to fight back, and the world champions converted a penalty in the 29th minute, after Daniele De Rossi was hauled down in the box. The game finished that way, but only after Chris Wood very nearly gave New Zealand an unlikely win over the reigning world champions. To watch the highlights, click here.

Brazil vs. Ivory Coast topped things off tonight, and it was a brilliant, brilliant spectacle. Luis Fabiano kicked things off with a beautiful goal for Brazil in the 25th minute - chipped, kicked, flicked and struck his way into the net. It stayed like that till half time, until Fabiano scored again, with a lovely little effort into the net. Elano picked up goal number 3 in the 62nd minute, and all looked lost for the Ivory Coast. That was, until, Didier Drogba stuck one in the back of the net with 10 minutes to go, but Brazilian coach Dunga shut up shop, and stopped everything from passing. Kaka picked up two yellows, to equal a red, after a shocking and blatant dive and feint from Abdelkader Keita, who ran into Kaka's shoulder, and went down clutching his face. Appalling, and I hope FIFA look into it. But anyway, 3-1 was enough to secure Brazil's place in the second round, and if you want to watch the highlights, you can find them here.

Bored Bored Bored - Day 5 Round-Up

I think the title sums up the day - boring. Every. Single. Game.

We began with New Zealand vs. Slovakia, and you could tell why it was made the lunchtime kick-off. It's like asking if you want a Netto own burger, or a piece of New York steak. This was the burger of Group F. It was quite a slow-paced game, with very few shots on target - 3 each, I believe. Robert Vittek gave Slovakia the lead in the 50th minute, and with seconds remaining in stoppage time, Winston Reid popped up to equalise for New Zealand, and earn them their first ever World Cup point. Quite a special moment really. To watch the highlight, click here.

Next up was the first game in Group G - Ivory Coast vs. Portugal. It was meant to be one of the highlights of the group stages - emphasis on the 'meant to be'... What a shocker. Absolutely appalling. I watched the game, and actually fell asleep in the 50th minute. It was that dull. The best bit of the game was Ronaldo's flick, cutback and shot that struck the post. That was the lot. Ronny even attempted to get players booked at every opportunity to spruce things up a bit - thanks Ronny, but you're still a knob. For the shortest highlights in WC history (it has to be...), click here.

Finally, we had Brazil vs. North Korea. Now, with Brazil ranked number one in the world, and with the North Koreans ranked 105th, we expected an absolute rout. How far from the truth we were. Brazil couldn't put a chain of passes together in the first half thanks to Korea DPR's zonal marking, which worked brilliantly. It meant they went in at 0-0, but once the break was over, it was game over. Maicon scored a freak cross/goal that beat the keeper at the near post, and Elano finished the game after 72 minutes with a great goal. Ji Yun-Nam scored late on for the North Koreans, but it was too little, too late, and the game finished 2-1. To see the highlights, click here.

We're now all hoping for a better day tomorrow, seeing as most viewers fossilised during the games today...

Group G - Portugal

Ah, the team to complete the biggest derby in World Cup 2010 football. Brazil vs. Portugal? Yes please.

A good squad team, and everyone seems to feel they are underdogs. Which is always good news - that usually means they'll do quite well. Having the best player in the world always helps too.

Capital City: Lisbon
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Manager: Carlos Quieroz
Star Man: Cristiano Ronaldo - well you could hardly have anyone else?! Not only the best player in the world, but the most expensive too. And if he can't lead his team, no-one can. Without him, Portugal are going out of the tournament.
Group Games: Cote d'Ivoire (15th June); Korea DPR (21st June); Brazil (25th June)
Adam's Prediction: Got to go through, and do well this time around. Until they play Spain in the second round. 2nd in Group G.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Braga), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Beto (Porto) 

Defenders: Miguel (Valencia), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica) 

Midfielders: Pedro Mendes (Sporting), Pepe (Real Madrid), Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Miguel Veloso (Sporting) 

Forwards: Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg), Liedson (Sporting), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Nani (Manchester United)

Group G - Cote d'Ivoire

Officially known as Cote d'Ivoire, I've decided to go by the English translation of Ivory Coast, mainly because of ease of being able to say it!

If they were in any other group, they'd be walking through. But Brazil and Portugal? Gonna be tough. Look to have an amazingly strong team as well this time around. Just a shame. Hope they can pull off a big shock.

Capital City: Yamoussoukro
Captain: Didier Drogba
Manager: Sven-Goran Eriksson
Star Man: Aruna Dindane - after a successful season at Portsmouth, theres plenty of interest from across Europe for the big striker. But can he pull off some decent appearances, with Drogba and Kalou in the squad too?
Group Games: Portugal (15th June); Brazil (20th June); Korea DPR (25th June)
Adam's Prediction: If only they were in another group.... Can see them losing to both Brazil and Portugal. 3rd in Group G.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren, Belgium), Aristides Zogbo (Maccabi Netanya, Israel), Daniel Yeboah (Asec, Ivory Coast) 

Defenders: Souleymane Bamba (Hibernian, Scotland), Arthur Boka (VB Stuttgart, Germany), Benjamin Brou Angoua (Valenciennes, France), Guy Demel (Hamburg SV, Germany), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal, England), Steve Gohouri (Wigan Athletic, England), Siaka Tiene (Valenciennes, France), Kolo Toure (Manchester City, England) 

Midfielders: Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso(Monaco, France), Abdelkader Keita (Galatasaray, Turkey), Emmanuel Kone (International Curtea Arges, Romania), Gervinho (Lille, France), Koffi N'Dri Romaric (Sevilla, Spain), Cheik Ismael Tiote (Twente Enschede, Holland), Yaya Toure (Barcelona, Spain), Didier Zokora (Sevilla, Spain) 

Forwards: Aruna Dindane (Lekhwiya, Qatar), Didier Drogba (Chelsea, England), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea, England), Bakary Kone (Olympique Marseille, France)

Group G - Korea DPR

North Korea, as they are more commonly known, have only played once before in the World Cup, in 1966. Better known for their 'antics', let's call them, than their footballing ability,but they did beat Guam 21-0 in 2005. Have that England.

They stand little chance in the group they are in, but are certainly going to really go for it.

Capital City: Pyongyang
Captain: Hong Yong-Jo
Manager: Kim Jong-Hun
Star Man: Jong Tae-Se - the big number 9 of the team. 22 caps, and at 24, he looks to be starting at the top of the North Korean formation.
Group Games: Brazil (15th June); Portugal (21st June); Ivory Coast (25th June)
Adam's Prediction: Going there for a bit of a trip, and to show off their nation. 4th in Group G.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kim Myong Gil (Amrokgang), Kim Myong Won (Amrokgang), Ri Myong Guk (Pyongyang City)

Defenders: An Chol Hyok (Rimyongsu), An Yong Hak (Omiya Ardija), Cha Jong Hyok (Amrokgang), Choe Kum Chol (April 25), Hong Yong Jo (FK Rostov), Ji Yun Nam (April 25), Jong Tae Se (Kawasaki Frontale), Kim Kum Il (April 25)

Midfielders: Kim Kyong Il (Rimyongsu), Kim Yong Jun (Pyongyang City), Mun In Guk (April 25), Nam Song Chol (April 25), Pak Chol Jin (Amrokgang), Pak Nam Chol (April 25), Pak Nam Chol (Amrokgang), Pak Sung Hyok (Sobaeksu)

Forwards: Ri Chol Myong (Pyongyang City), Ri Jun Il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang Chon (April 25), Ri Kwang Hyok (Koynggongop)

Group G - Brazil

I'd actually consider Group G as my 'Group of Death' - tricky teams in this one. Not to mention 5-time World Champions Brazil.

Many have tipped them to be the underdogs this time around. I see them as firm favourites for the final - the draw has treated them well. With the ability they have in their squad, and with everything seemingly going their way, watch this space for number six.

Capital City: Rio de Janeiro

Captain: Lucio
Manager: Dunga
Star Man: Kaka - the man's big move to Milan last summer was meant to make him the best player in the world. Many believe he's flopped, but wouldn't you if you're overshadowed by the £80m man?! It's inevitable he'll move after the World Cup, but where to? We'll see.
Group Games: Korea DPR (15th June); Ivory Coast (20th June); Portugal (25th June)
Adam's Prediction: Got to be seen as favourites for the group. Should ease through second round and quarters, and win in the semi, but I think they may suffer heartbreak in the final. 1st in Group G.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg)

Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Grafite (VfL Wolfsburg)