Another new flavour?

I went to eat at Nando's in the CBD today, having run some long and boring errands in Duncraig. There on the menu is another new flavour - mango & lime. Never let it be said that I wont try new flavours - so I did. Not bad, given that I thought it might be too sweet with the mango in there. Instead, it was the lime that was dominant so this was tangy and light with just a bit of the mango flavour. Definitely worth having again.

Game # 1 - Brazil vs Croatia

I suppose the eventual scoreline (3-1 to Brazil) was about what was expected but the feeling in the game wasn't. Thanks to FIFA's meddling, there was no samba beat to play to. I mean, it is Brazil in their first World Cup game at home in 64 years and there's no music? To be honest it made for a pretty anaemic atmosphere but Brazil still pulled it off. It wasn't the striding imperious football I hoped for (but then Brazil haven't played that style for a long time really) but the two raiding wing backs were nice to see and the stars duly did what they were supposed to, even the "out of form" Oscar who not only scored the final goal but spent most of the night thumping in cross after cross. Let's hope they hit top rhythm soon.

Game # 2 - Mexico vs Cameroon

Not a very smooth game overall - I felt that neither team really hit their stride but Mexico did finally get the winner, having had two goals ruled offside the in the first half (as did Cameroon have one too). The driving rain seemed to have little effect because I didn't see many slips or falls which was good. Cameroon did fight back at times but Mexico just had too much experience to let slip, though Cameroon did come perilously close in the dying moments. Still, it leaves both teams in good positions because Mexico get the three points but Cameroon only lost by a single goal and goal difference can be absolutely vital, given that teams only play three games in the group round.

Game # 3 - Spain vs Netherlands

This was definitely game of the round so far for me and also featured the best goal so far. I was expecting a tight and probably dull game despite the talents of both teams because neither team would like to be the one to slip up after the World Cup Final in 2010. Instead, the Dutch went for it for almost all the game and it was the Spanish, despite scoring the first goal (from a penalty, admittedly) who generally hung on. Van Persie's first goal was definitely spectacular and the best so far for me. The Spanish looked flat and dispirited from the moment Robben scored his first goal. Still, 1-5 is a fairly spectacular way for Spain to go down. With goal difference being so vital, it also puts Spain in a very dangerous position, not just on zero pints but -4 goal difference and the bottom of their group after the first round.

Game # 4 - Chile vs Australia

If I am 100 percent honest, I am not surprised by the final result (3-1) but I am disappointed by the way it happened. Australia simply fell asleep for the first twenty minutes of the game and Chile made then pay for that. It is the World Cup and top teams will punish lapses like that harshly. Sadly, once the Socceroos did actually wake up, Australia pretty much matched Chile kick for kick and definitely matched them goal for goal. It was a real shame to give away that third goal in time added on because, as always, goal difference is important. Still, against a very highly rated side, the Socceroos help their own and hopefully can play some more good football against two even more highly rated teams.