World Cup Game #33

All the pre-match predictions talked about dour Uruguayan defence versus creative Mexican attack and yet this game, finishing 1-0 in Uruguay's favour, featured far more attacking from Uruguay than Mexico. Uruguay eventually scored through Suarez in the 43rd minute. The second half did feature a more active Mexico but they rarely troubled a resolute Uruguayan defence. It was fitting that both teams went through to the 2nd round as a result of this scoreline.

World Cup Game #34

It was sad that both teams in this game failed to get through to the second round but at least the South Africans finished with pride intact and on a high note as they beat France 2-1. France on the other hand looked miserable and out of sorts for most of the game with only a handful of players really showing any spark. Sad to lose such a talented team (and a seeded one at that) so early but that's the way it works when early results don't go your way and then then squad fractures the way the French squad appears to have..

World Cup Game #35

Although the result of this game was a draw, the pace and spectacle of this game was great with both South Korea and Nigeria throwing everything they had into this. With the lead changing so many times, both sides continued to see themselves as having a chance for a win until the final whistle. That it finished 2-2 seemed quite fair reflection of both teams' endeavour. The South Koreans got through to the 2nd round which seemed like good return for their efforts across all three group phase games, I felt.

World Cup Game #36

If the result of this game was rarely in doubt, no-one told the Greeks because they tried, tried harder and then tried even more. However, this was Argentina again at their best because their defence was rock solid whilst the attack looked dangerous every time they had the ball. Messi was again strangely subdued for most of the game but sprung into life in the last 15 minutes or so and provided a real spark for Argentina. Both Argentinian goals came in that last 15 minutes and whilst Messi didn't get his name onto the scorecard, he did everything but that. In the end, both Demichelis and Palermo scored for 2-0 win to Argentina but the Greeks could come away from the game knowing that they had played a damn good game even if they didn't make it into the 2nd round.

For ixzist

( Happy Birthday! )