Shocks Galore - Day 14 Round-Up

Well that was a turn for the books!

We actually began today with the culmination of Group F - yeah, I know, confusing, but hey, what Sepp Blatter wants, he gets. With matches between Slovakia and Italy, and Paraguay vs. New Zealand, it was certainly going to be a bumpy ride. One was very dull, one was the best of the tournament. Can you guess which one?! We had a dull 0-0 draw between Paraguay and New Zealand, but wow, the other game was incredible. Robert Vittek put one goal in for Slovakia in the 25th minute, and then scored again in the 73rd minute to give them a shock 2-0 lead. Antonio Di Natale pulled one back for Italy with 10 minutes to go, and it began to look an even better possibility that Italy would go through... Fabio Quagliarella scored a fabulous goal, for it to only be ruled out for offside. But Kamil Kopunek scored a further goal for Slovakia, and it killed the game... Or did it? Qualiarella then scored properly in 2 minutes of injury time, before having a strike scraped off the line with seconds to go. The game finished 3-2, which means Paraguay are group winners, with Slovakia going through as runners-up, and Italy, reigning world champions, finishing bottom of their group... For the highlights of Paraguay vs. New Zealand, click here, and for Slovakia vs. Italy, click here.

That meant that Group E finished off the second week, and finished off the third games. Matches between Denmark and Japan, and Cameroon and the Netherlands would decide who would follow Holland into the next round. It was first blood to Japan, after two absolutely stunning free kicks from Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo, and then the Netherlands went ahead through a brilliant goal from Robin van Persie. It stayed like that after the break, but after 65 minutes, Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon equalised through a penalty. Then, with 10 minutes to go, Jon Dahl Tomasson pulled a goal back for Denmark, before Klass-Jan Huntelaar scored another goal for Holland in the other game. The last goal of the day was from Japan, with Shinji Okazaki scoring a goal brilliantly teed up by Honda. He's gotta be a big player next season. It meant the Netherlands finished top, with Japan going through as runners up. To watch the highlights, click here for Denmark vs. Japan, and here for Cameroon vs. Netherlands.

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...

Adam Misses All - Day 4 Round-Up

Now school began again today. Couldn't have been a worse day, but we had to go back. And that means I missed all the football. So what you'll be reading below will be exactly what you can watch if you want to, by clicking on the highlight links. Simple, really.

The first game was the lunchtime kick-off - Netherlands vs. Denmark. What a freaky game! Sat down to watch the highlights, and there were only 3 minutes of them, so I assumed it would be crap, but I was very wrong. Nicklas Bendtner missed some sitters in the first half, and the freakiest own goal this season gave Holland the lead, after Simon Poulsen headed the ball against Daniel Agger's back for it to trickle in. The second goal, late in the second half, was good, as Dirk Kuyt follows up the ball and slides it home. Damian and I discussed the game before kick off, and we disagreed with the choice of playing Kuyt from the start, but we were proved wrong, which is always a good thing! Wesley Sneijder seemed to be everywhere as well, and I think he could be key. Still, 2-0 will set them up well. For the highlights, click here.

Next up was Japan vs. Cameroon. Now it was the story of two of the best teams of the tournament - kit wise of course. Cameroon in yellow with red pinstripes, and Japan in blue with white trim. That's about as good as it gets. The odd bit of flair and skill from Cameroon was nice to see, and broke up a dire game between the two. Japan took the lead towards the end of the first half thanks to a defensive error and a brilliant bit of instinct from Keisuke Honda, and then decided the best way to win the game was to put 10 men behind the ball. Everything from then onwards was Cameroon, but it wasn't enough, and the game finished 1-0. To watch the highlights, click here.

That finished off Group E, and that meant the last game of the day was the start of Group F - Italy vs. Paraguay. Now normally, this would have 'drubbing' written all over it, but with the selection within the squads, people thought a little differently. Paraguay took a shock lead thanks to a header from a corner by Antolin Alcarez, but this was cancelled out in the second half thanks to a bit of stupid goalkeeping, and Daniele De Rossi slots the ball home. From there, it was all Italy, but their old squad couldn't do anything more, and the game finished 1-1. To see the highlights (I wouldn't bother...), click here.

That was Day 4, and I think this may now be the trend for the next few days......

Group F - Slovakia

For the first time since independence in 1993, Slovakia are competing in the World Cup. Having won only one friendly before the tournament, they don't look favourites to go through. But I'm gonna throw a spanner in the works.

I think that they have a very strong squad, and with their group the way it is, could qualify. That's my prediction anyway...

Capital City: Bratislava
Captain: Marek Hamsik
Manager: Vladimir Weiss
Star Man: Marek Hamsik - captain of the team at just 22, he's tipped for big things. Playing for Napoli, he's been scouted by big European teams, and could be heading to Arsenal, Liverpool or Man United, if rumours are to be believed. Could and should hold the squad together. 
Group Games: New Zealand (15th June); Paraguay (20th June); Italy (24th June)
Adam's Prediction: I really can see their first time being quite successful. Gonna go through, and lose in the second round. 2nd in Group F.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Legia Warsaw), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui), Dusan Pernis (Dundee United) 

Defenders: Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg), Martin Petras (Cesena), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Jan Durica (Hannover), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz), Marek Cech (West Brom), Kornel Salate (Slovan Bratislava) 

Midfielders: Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Timisoara), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Prague), Marek Sapara (Ankaragucu), Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City), Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea), Zdeno Strba (Xanthi) 

Forwards: Erik Jendrisek (Schalke), Robert Vittek (Ankaragucu), Martin Jakubko (Saturn Moscow), Filip Holosko (Besiktas), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum)

Group F - New Zealand

For the first time since 1982, New Zealand have qualified for the World Cup. They're another team who will be there to enjoy themselves.

More than guaranteed to finish in the group stages, but all they will want is to gain their first point in World Cup football. They are also one goal away from conceding 1,000 international goals. Little fact for you.

Capital City: Wellington
Captain: Ryan Nelsen
Manager: Ricki Herbert
Star Man: Chris Killen - not many to pick from, if I'm honest. Will be happy just to score a goal and put himself back on the map. After a move to Middlesbrough in January, he'll just want to have a good summer to get him playing regular football next season.
Group Games: Slovakia (15th June); Italy (20th June); Paraguay (24th June)
Adam's Prediction: Just there for a jolly to South Africa if I'm honest. 4th in Group F.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: James Bannatyne (Team Wellington), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory), Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix) 

Defenders: Andy Boyens (New York Red Bulls), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers), Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City) 

Midfielders: Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy Christie (FC Tampa Bay Rowdies), Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United), Simon Elliott (unattached), Michael McGlinchey (Motherwell), David Mulligan (unattached) 

Strikers: Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets), Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion)

Group F - Paraguay

For the fourth consecutive time, Paraguay appear in the World Cup. England fans will recognise most of the squad from the group stages in 2006, and peoplke really do expect. Since 2006, a lot of the team have headed to Europe, and the likes of Roque Santa Cruz and Jonathan Santana are now playing for some of the best teams in the world.

Capital City: Asuncion
Captain: Justo Villar
Manager: Gerardo Martino
Star Man: Oscar Cardozo - a lot of interest in this bloke. Looks a good forward - lots of running around, lots of energy, and lots of firepower. Another one who could be on for a good move.
Group Games: Italy (14th June); Slovakia (20th June); New Zealand (24th June)
Adam's Prediction: Got a relatively good team, but it's not going to be good enough. 3rd in Group F.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Valladolid/ESP), Aldo Bobadilla (Deportivo Independiente de Medellin/COL), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno) 

Defenders: Claudio Morel Rodriguez (Boca Juniors/ARG), Denis Caniza (Leon/MEX), Paulo da Silva (Sunderland/ENG), Dario Veron (Pumas UNAM/MEX), Julio Cesar Caceres (Atletico Mineiro/BRA), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo de Almagro/ARG), Antolin Alcaraz (FC Bruges/BEL) 

Midfielders: Edgar Barreto (Atalanta/ITA), Cristian Riveros (Cruz Azul/MEX), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Enrique Vera (Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito/ECU), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg/GER), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors/ARG) 

Forwards: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City/ENG), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica/POR), Edgar Benitez (Toluca/MEX), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad)

Group F - Italy

The current reigning champions, Italy proved to be worthy winners in 2006. Will they replicate that this year? I doubt it - they have a number of factors going against them this time around.

The whole squad is based in Italy. The aging squad are now mostly 30+, and they really don't have any form of home advantage. They should win the group, but won't go amazingly far.

Capital City: Rome
Captain: Fabio Cannavaro
Manager: Marcello Lippi
Star Man: Daniele de Rossi - the defensive midfielder is now 26, but is still one of the most sought-after players in the world. He works well with Andrea Pirlo, and should he play well, could be on for a big-money move.
Group Games: Paraguay (14th June); New Zealand (20th June); Slovakia (24th June)
Adam's Prediction: Will more than likely win the three group games, and then in the second round, but with the potential of a quarter final against Spain, could fall at the third hurdle. 1st in Group F.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari) 

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan) 

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan) 

Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli)