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

And We Start Again... - Day 6 Round-Up

Today was the day we got to see the last of the 32 teams for the first time, and also began the second games. And it was a bit of a shocker.

The lunchtime job today was Honduras vs. Chile, and it was quite a straight-forward affair. With 20 shots throughout the game, Chile were the stronger team, but Honduras did have some very dangerous attacks. It was Jean Beausejour's shot that gave Chile their first World Cup win since 1962, and it remained that way till full time. Quite a poor match, but hey, better than some of the stuff we've seen so far. If you want to watch the highlights, click here.

Next up was Spain vs. Switzerland, and it was looking to be a big walkover. Oh how wrong we were. Even with 67% of the possession, Spain were the second best, and after Gelson Fernandes 52nd minute goal, Switzerland won 1-0. How? We may not ever know, but it really throws Spain's plan off. The Swiss also caused 18 fouls - with only 4 yellow cards. Weird.... For the highlights, click here.

Last game of the day was South Africa vs. Uruguay - first game where we've already seen the two teams. Teams looked good from the start, but very evenly matched, so I for one, thought we may very well be in for a draw. Diego Forlan looked to have finished that idea with an absolute thunderbolt in the first half to make it 1-0 Uruguay, and it proved that the uproar over the World Cup ball doesn't always end in mishaps. Second half was a little more open, but with Luis Suarez diving everywhere, things began to swing to Uruguay, and Itumeleng Khune, the South African keeper, was sent off, and Forlan then converted the penalty to make it 2-0. It was in fact the 5th red card of the tournament - and seeing as we've had 17 games, that's quite a few. The game finished with Alvaro Pareira heading in a third, but if you want to watch the highlights, click here.

Just cross everything that we have more games and more goals like what we've had today.

Bore Draws - Day 1 Round-Up

Well, that was an interesting day! Having watched both games, I think we can safely say we know which was the better.

We started off with South Africa vs. Mexico - a game that even Isobel enjoyed, even though she won't admit it. Siphiwe Tshabalala put SA ahead, with ex-captain Rafael Marquez striking back 12 minutes from time, to finish the game 1-1. It was a fast-paced, equally-attacking game, and it was a really good one to kick off the whole tournament. For highlights of the game, click here.


Then we had Uruguay vs. France this evening, and wow it couldn't have been more boring if it tried. What a seriously dull game. It was just 50:50 the whole way, until France actually started to try with 10 minutes to go, but it was far too late. If you're that way inclined, and want to waste a few minutes of your life that you'll never get back again, check out the highlights here.

It all bodes well for Day 2 though!

Group A - South Africa

For the first time ever, the World Cup heads to Africa, and South Africa have the privilege of hosting the event in 2010.

Having qualified automatically, the team officially announced their squad on Deadline Day - 1st June. Based on this, I highly doubt they'll progress from their group - it looks far too difficult for them. But hey, that's what the World Cup is all about! Remember South Korea in 2002?!

Anyway, here's their factfile.

Capital City: Cape Town
Captain: Aaron Mokoena
Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Star Man: Steven Pienaar - the Everton man seems to hold the team together, and with the way South Africa play, he really does fit in nicely.
Group Games: Mexico (11th June); Uruguay (16th June); France (22nd June)
Adam's Prediction: They may scrape a win against Uruguay, but I don't reckon they'll do too well. 3rd in Group A.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United) 

Defenders: Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Anele Ngcongoa (Racing Genk), Siyabonga Sangweni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham), Thanduyise Khuboni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Steven Pienaar (Everton), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Forwards: Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente)