Today's semi-final was Uruguay vs. Netherlands, and it was going to be an absolutely incredible game. And it was. It began with an absolute screamer from captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst, as he struck the ball straight into the top right corner from near enough the touchline. Just a beautiful strike of the ball. Diego Forlan then followed it up for Uruguay with 5 minutes to go in the first half with a beautifully struck shot from the edge of the box, to make it 1-1. And half time obviously worked better for Holland, as after the break, they came out the sharper, and on 70 minutes, Wesley Sneijder scored a somewhat-controversial goal, as he curled the ball round Robin van Persie, who was stood in an offside position. Arjen Robben then made it 3-1, after putting the ball in the net from a wonderful header. Maxi Perreira scored in injury time to make it 3-2, and make it a little bit more tense, but the Netherlands held on to become the first team to reach the World Cup final, for the first time since 1978. To watch the highlights, click here.
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Goals Galore - Day 26 Round-Up
Is it physically possible for this to get better?!
Today's semi-final was Uruguay vs. Netherlands, and it was going to be an absolutely incredible game. And it was. It began with an absolute screamer from captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst, as he struck the ball straight into the top right corner from near enough the touchline. Just a beautiful strike of the ball. Diego Forlan then followed it up for Uruguay with 5 minutes to go in the first half with a beautifully struck shot from the edge of the box, to make it 1-1. And half time obviously worked better for Holland, as after the break, they came out the sharper, and on 70 minutes, Wesley Sneijder scored a somewhat-controversial goal, as he curled the ball round Robin van Persie, who was stood in an offside position. Arjen Robben then made it 3-1, after putting the ball in the net from a wonderful header. Maxi Perreira scored in injury time to make it 3-2, and make it a little bit more tense, but the Netherlands held on to become the first team to reach the World Cup final, for the first time since 1978. To watch the highlights, click here.
Today's semi-final was Uruguay vs. Netherlands, and it was going to be an absolutely incredible game. And it was. It began with an absolute screamer from captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst, as he struck the ball straight into the top right corner from near enough the touchline. Just a beautiful strike of the ball. Diego Forlan then followed it up for Uruguay with 5 minutes to go in the first half with a beautifully struck shot from the edge of the box, to make it 1-1. And half time obviously worked better for Holland, as after the break, they came out the sharper, and on 70 minutes, Wesley Sneijder scored a somewhat-controversial goal, as he curled the ball round Robin van Persie, who was stood in an offside position. Arjen Robben then made it 3-1, after putting the ball in the net from a wonderful header. Maxi Perreira scored in injury time to make it 3-2, and make it a little bit more tense, but the Netherlands held on to become the first team to reach the World Cup final, for the first time since 1978. To watch the highlights, click here.
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
So Nearly There - This Time For Africa
As we edge ever closer to the end of what has been an incredible month of the highest quality football, I thought it was about time we had a quick reflect on what this has actually done for world football.
2004 saw the announcement of Africa receiving its first ever big sporting spectacle - the World Cup was heading to South Africa. I'll be honest, I was a little sceptical, but wow, what a ride they've given us since the beginning of June.
South Africa put themselves back on the map in terms of being a good footballing nation. As did Uruguay, Ghana, Paraguay, Chile and Mexico. We had some shock results - Brazil and Argentina out in the quarters, England, France and Italy out even earlier than that. And some incredible personal performances - look at Mesut Ozil, David Villa, and Wesley Sneijder.
It has really rejuvenated world football, and could lead FINALLY to the introduction of 21st century techniques into an aging game - goal-line technology should finally head on in to the game.
This World Cup has the potential to be the best ever in terms of the Beautiful Game. Will it? We'll just have to wait until Sunday to find out.
2004 saw the announcement of Africa receiving its first ever big sporting spectacle - the World Cup was heading to South Africa. I'll be honest, I was a little sceptical, but wow, what a ride they've given us since the beginning of June.
South Africa put themselves back on the map in terms of being a good footballing nation. As did Uruguay, Ghana, Paraguay, Chile and Mexico. We had some shock results - Brazil and Argentina out in the quarters, England, France and Italy out even earlier than that. And some incredible personal performances - look at Mesut Ozil, David Villa, and Wesley Sneijder.
It has really rejuvenated world football, and could lead FINALLY to the introduction of 21st century techniques into an aging game - goal-line technology should finally head on in to the game.
This World Cup has the potential to be the best ever in terms of the Beautiful Game. Will it? We'll just have to wait until Sunday to find out.
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Whoopsy Daisy - Day 23 Round-Up
Well then. There goes that prediction.
The first game of the day was Argentina vs. Germany, in what was billed as the finest game to be played this World Cup. And it certainly looked like it was going to be - goals galore from either team should have given us a brilliant attacking lesson. But alas, as is with this World Cup, things don't go according to plan. An early header from Thomas Muller within 3 minutes put the Germans one up, and from there on in, it was difficult for Argentina to recover. Even with 6 of the best strikers in the world in their squad, the defence was poor, and by half time, they were a shambles. The weak link was Gabriel Heinze - a player I used to rate highly, but have realised he is an egotistical, cheating, diving scumbag who should be thrown off the plane home. The second half proved that. After 67 minutes, Miroslav Klose slid the ball into an empty net to make it 2-0, and within 3 minutes, Arne Friedrich put them 3 up as he pushed the ball into the net. With just seconds remaining, Germany made it an absolute riot by putting a fourth in the net, with Miroslav Klose now just one away from equalling the record for the highest number of goals scored at World Cups. 4-0 means the Germans go through, and sends the Argentinians home. To watch the highlights, click here.
The final quarter final was between Paraguay and Spain. It wasn't one for the faint-hearted, that's for sure. A dire first half came to a close with some great Spanish play, but all the action was in the second half. After 57 minutes, Paraguay were awarded a penalty, which Oscar Cardozo put straight into the arms of Iker Casillas, before just 2 minutes later, Spain were awarded one, which Xabi Alonso scored, then was told to retake, then was saved by Justo Villar. Strange stuff. David Villa got them out of trouble though, with a double-post bounce in the 83rd minute, and that's how the game finished. Heartbroken Paraguayans, and the Spanish were rather pleased.... It sets up a brilliant tie between Germany and themselves, so we have that to look forward to on Tuesday. For the highlights, click here.
The first game of the day was Argentina vs. Germany, in what was billed as the finest game to be played this World Cup. And it certainly looked like it was going to be - goals galore from either team should have given us a brilliant attacking lesson. But alas, as is with this World Cup, things don't go according to plan. An early header from Thomas Muller within 3 minutes put the Germans one up, and from there on in, it was difficult for Argentina to recover. Even with 6 of the best strikers in the world in their squad, the defence was poor, and by half time, they were a shambles. The weak link was Gabriel Heinze - a player I used to rate highly, but have realised he is an egotistical, cheating, diving scumbag who should be thrown off the plane home. The second half proved that. After 67 minutes, Miroslav Klose slid the ball into an empty net to make it 2-0, and within 3 minutes, Arne Friedrich put them 3 up as he pushed the ball into the net. With just seconds remaining, Germany made it an absolute riot by putting a fourth in the net, with Miroslav Klose now just one away from equalling the record for the highest number of goals scored at World Cups. 4-0 means the Germans go through, and sends the Argentinians home. To watch the highlights, click here.The final quarter final was between Paraguay and Spain. It wasn't one for the faint-hearted, that's for sure. A dire first half came to a close with some great Spanish play, but all the action was in the second half. After 57 minutes, Paraguay were awarded a penalty, which Oscar Cardozo put straight into the arms of Iker Casillas, before just 2 minutes later, Spain were awarded one, which Xabi Alonso scored, then was told to retake, then was saved by Justo Villar. Strange stuff. David Villa got them out of trouble though, with a double-post bounce in the 83rd minute, and that's how the game finished. Heartbroken Paraguayans, and the Spanish were rather pleased.... It sets up a brilliant tie between Germany and themselves, so we have that to look forward to on Tuesday. For the highlights, click here.
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