World Cup Game #13

Sometimes a 0-0 scoreline really doesn't capture the nature of the game because this was anything but slow and/or defensive. Both Cote d'Ivoire and Portugal threw almost everything they had into the contest but they were so closely matched that they cancelled each other out. It may have been different if Drogba could have played the whole game and at 100% but it was not to be.

World Cup Game #14

I really enjoyed watching Brazil and Korea DPR - the Brazilians used every skill in their arsenal and came away with 2 goals and the win but the Koreans came right back at them with persistence and organisation, getting a goal and keeping their pride. Brazil looked ominously good in attack and the fluidity and creativity of their midfielders was a sight to behold. It may not quite be "beautiful football" but it certainly wasn't ugly!

World Cup Game #15

Although Chile were on top for major chunks of this game, I liked that Honduras just came right back at them, time and time again. That Chile won by a single goal was about right although 2-1 might have been a better reflection of both the chances Chile took and the endurance and persistence of Honduras. I also had to feel for Chile given that it was 48 years since they had last won a game at the World Cup - not the record anyone wants!